Jenny Jansky, director of educator certification at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, received the University of Nebraska Board of Regents KUDOS award Dec. 4.
KUDOS awards recognize university staff for their professional expertise, service and “superior dedication” to UNK and University of Nebraska. It is the university’s top staff award.
Jansky has been a member of the UNK staff since 2007. Her primary responsibility is management of the UNK Educator Certification Office, which serves as a resource center for future educators. It assists them as they apply and gain admission to the Teacher Education program, are placed in student teaching assignments and apply for certification.
“The director of educator certification requires a person who is student and program focused, pays great attention to detail, and who has the ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with certification colleagues across the state. Jenny excels in all these categories,” read her nomination.
Jansky works closely with multiple departments in the Nebraska Department of Education to ensure compliance with policies set forth by the department and Nebraska Legislature. She holds appointments as a member of the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education and officer of the Nebraska Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
“Jenny does a tremendous job of overseeing the Educator Certification Office,” said Mark Reid, dean of UNK’s College of Education, “and her office does an amazing job of serving our students. In short, she is my go-to person for all things related to teacher and administrator certification.”
A past recipient of the College of Education’s Outstanding Staff Award, Jansky is most proud of the student-centered culture in the certification office, which is especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Everyone has stepped up to avoid additional stress on students and faculty,” she said.
Jenny and her two daughters, Casey and Jordan, are all UNK graduates.
