Philep Willey is an educator and researcher with a passion for media, storytelling, and innovative approaches to teaching. He earned his Master’s degree in Language Arts from Hastings College and has dedicated over 20 years to teaching at the high school level. For the past decade, he has served at North Platte High School, where he teaches Video and Media Production and chairs the Business Department.

At North Platte, Willey spearheaded the development of a comprehensive media production program that has grown into one of the most innovative and respected in the state. His students’ work has achieved national and international recognition—most notably, the 2023 student documentary "Water Wars: The Perkins County Canal," which was a finalist for several national awards and a semi-finalist in the World Student Film Festival.

Willey’s dedication to integrating the arts and education has also been recognized and developed through competitive fellowships. In 2021–2022, he was selected as a UNL Art/Act: Educate fellow, and he is currently a member of the UNL ArtTEAMs Cohort 2. His work reflects a commitment to advancing student creativity, amplifying youth voices, and shaping the role of media in education and community engagement.