Advisory Board

Name Organization Contact Email
Alexandra Dillon
Central Region Early Learning Connection Grant Manager
Educational Service Unit 10 (ESU 10)

adillon@esu10.org

Maricela Novoa
Central Region Early Learning Connection Bilingual Specialist
Educational Service Unit 10 (ESU 10)

mnovoa@esu10.org

Dr. Katie Bass
Policy Research Manager
First Five Nebraska

kbass@firstfivenebraska.org

Esmelda Amarate
Owner, Harvest Child Care  
Harvest Childcare -Provider (in-home)

esmelda.amarante01@gmail.com

Stephanie Knust
Nebraska Department of Education; Head Start Collaboration Office-Office of Early Childhood
Head Start

steph.knust@nebraska.gov

Sarah Ann Kotchian
Chief Executive Officer
Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative

sakotchian@nebraskaearly.org

Dr. Lisa Knoche
Director, Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research

Co-Director, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools

Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools

lknoche2@unl.edu

Brittany Rocheleau
Childcare Director-Sandhills First Steps (Burwell-Garfield Counties)
Sandhills First Steps-Provider (center)

director@sandhillsfirststeps.com

Dr. Mike Teahon
Chair and Associate Professor- Educational Administration
University of Nebraska at Kearney

teahonmd@unk.edu