For alum Hser Blay (CYAF ’26), transferring to CEHS opened the door to a career in teaching. Through the Lincoln Public Schools Grow Your Own program, she gained hands-on classroom experience while earning her degree, preparation that is helping her succeed in her first year as an early childhood special education teacher.
Can you share a little about yourself, including your background, time in CEHS, and what you have been up to since graduating?
I was born in Burma and grew up in a refugee camp in Thailand. My family and I moved to Lincoln in 2016 and I went to Lincoln High School and then Southeast Community College. In 2023, I transferred to UNL and joined in Child, Youth and Family Studies (CYAF) program. I am working at Belmont Elementary School as an early childhood special education teacher in the preschool program.
Before completing your degree with CEHS, you started at Southeast Community College. What made you decide to transfer?
I never thought that I would get to go to UNL and complete my degree with the College of Education and Human Sciences. The SCC TRIO program supported me in many ways.
What was your experience like transitioning from SCC to UNL and CEHS?
Transitioning from SCC to UNL was a big and challenging experience for me. UNL offered many resources and opportunities that helped me with the transition.
You were part of the pilot LPS Grow Your Own program, where you worked as a paraeducator while completing your CEHS program. Can you share more about that experience and how it shaped your education?
Through my CYAF professors, I learned about and joined the LPS Grow Your Own program. Through the program, I worked with young children in Lincoln Public Schools preschool classrooms. I am really grateful for the Early Childhood Avenues program, which has given me the opportunity to gain hands-on classroom experience while completing my education at UNL. The tuition support and opportunity to work alongside teachers have helped prepare me for my career and allowed me to gain meaningful experience working with students.
You're now an elementary special education preschool teacher. What do you love most about your work?
I love building meaningful relationships with my students and seeing them grow and reach their goals.
What would you tell a student who is considering transferring to UNL but isn't sure whether they belong at a four-year university?
I would want them to know that it can feel scary and unfamiliar at first, especially when transferring, but you deserve to be there just like everyone else. Give yourself time to adjust, ask for help when you need it, and don’t be afraid to get involved and build relationships with your professors and classmates.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Child, Youth and Family Studies
Special Education and Communication Disorders
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