Alyse Pflanz

Director - Center for Economic Education, Business Teacher Education Coordinator, Lecturer

Office: WSTC 147W   |    Phone: (308) 865-8482   |    Email: apflanz@unk.edu

Alyse Pflanz

Biography

Alyse Pflanz, Director of the Center for Economic Education, which promotes economic and financial literacy in Nebraska, wants K-12 students to learn to be financially savvy to make wise economic decisions. A former 7-12 Business & Technology Instructor for 4 years, she is also the coordinator of the Business Teacher Education program. Professional Memberships include National Business Education Association (NBEA), MBAA International, Society for Case Research (SCR), and National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE). She obtained a national W!se Personal Finance Certification and will soon earn her PhD in Educational Studies through the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Alyse won the Outstanding Innovation in Digital Teaching Award from UNK’s Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Research, an Outstanding Faculty Service Award and Teaching Untenured Award from UNK’s College of Business & Technology, and the B.E.S.T. Award from the Nebraska Department of Education. Her research has appeared in her numerous presentations, in newspapers, on NTV, and has been supported by two grants. Professional service includes Board Member of the Nebraska FBLA Advisory Council, Executive Board Member of the Nebraska State Business Education Association, and academic consulting with the Nebraska Department of Education.


Education

M.A.Ed., Higher Education Administration, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
B.A.Ed., 6-12 Career Business Education, University of Nebraska - Kearney 


Area of expertise and research

Teacher preparation in:
  • Career and technical education
  • Personal finance education
  • Economics education
Career and technical education assessment through:
  • Authentic learning
  • Real world skills

Why I went into teaching?

One part of my identity has remained constant: a career in education. I had a keen interest in business content and courses thanks to my high school business teachers; however, I knew I would not find fulfillment in many areas a business degree could offer. Placing 1st in the State Leadership Conference for FBLA got me thinking about my teachers and their hard work and help, and it got me thinking about teaching business and providing students with the out-of-classroom opportunities I had received.

 

What goals do you want to achieve as an educator?

I want to continue to inspire and impact as many students and future educators as I can. I believe that given the right platform, tools, and resources, I can help both find their voice to say what they want and have the confidence to express themselves. It is about creating a personalized educational experience for each student.