Marnie Zabel—2019 Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year

Background

The Nebraska School Psychologist Association has named Marnie Zabel from Belmont Elementary School the 2019 Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year. School psychologists are uniquely trained to help children succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. With expertise in mental health, learning and behavior, school psychologists partner with families, teachers, administrators and other professionals to help children thrive. Zabel has been doing all of this at Belmont for more than 30 years.

Explanation

The Nebraska School Psychologist Association has named Marnie Zabel from Belmont Elementary School the 2019 Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year. Zabel has served Belmont students and their families for more than 30 years.

Carrie Foster, a special education supervisor for Lincoln Public Schools, and Molly Kuhl, a fellow school psychologist for Lincoln Public Schools, said this about Zabel when nominating her for the award:

“Marnie has so many strengths and has impacted the families at Belmont Elementary School greatly. She has worked with multiple generations of families at Belmont. She is ethical, trustworthy and dependable. Students trust her, and families trust what she says and are willing to try anything that she suggests. The Belmont staff and fellow school psychologists confide in her.”

Kim Rosenthal, principal at Belmont Elementary School, had this to say about Zabel:

“Marnie is a true advocate for students and for Title schools. She works to make sure that we have provided students with appropriate interventions and have tried multiple strategies before verifying them as a student with a disability. Marnie’s focus is always on building relationships with students and finding strategies to help them be successful in school and in life. The success of Belmont students is in large part due to Marnie.”

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Marnie Zabel has been named the 2019 Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year by the Nebraska School Psychologist Association; and

WHEREAS, Marnie Zabel has served Belmont Elementary School students and families for more than 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Marnie Zabel has worked tirelessly to ensure that students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally; and

WHEREAS, Marnie Zabel is a leader among her colleagues and someone they turn to for guidance and wisdom; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education

does hereby congratulate Marnie Zabel for being named the 2019 Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year.

Updated November 14, 2019