LPS Sustainability’s Interns
LPS Sustainability has had a busy summer! Two new faces joined the team in addition to our existing Communications intern. We asked each of our interns to share a little bit about themselves, their niche within the Sustainability Team and where they’re headed.
Katie Berck: Gardens and Outdoor Learning
Katie Berck joined the LPS Sustainability team in February 2024. She is working toward her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a minor in fisheries and wildlife. Berck said she first learned about LPS Sustainability’s work through her classes at UNL.
“I always thought it sounded like a great environment to work in, and I was right!” she said.
Berck supports school gardens and outdoor classrooms around the district by collaborating with LPS staff, students and community partners. She has been especially busy lately coordinating the July 2024 Garden Gathering at Saratoga Elementary School, as well as some larger-scale projects.
“I’ve been really enjoying working on mapping all of the schools and putting together a sustainability dashboard for the district,” she said. “It will be such a great tool for both schools and the greater community.”
Berck is entering her senior year at UNL this fall, and said that she plans to pursue a career in environmental engagement and outdoor education after graduation, as well as fostering rescue cats.
Alex Coffelt: Communications
Alex Coffelt has served as LPS Sustainability’s communications intern since May 2023. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural leadership, education and communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within the agricultural and environmental sciences communication degree option.
“I love being able to put my experience to use for an organization whose mission I feel connected to,” she said.
Coffelt creates a variety of written and visual materials to highlight the people, resources and events that focus on sustainability at LPS. She said that engaging with students, however, is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.
“Whether it’s a tree planting, a kindergarten garbology lesson, or a sustainability experience at an assembly, the students ask amazing questions and are so excited to share what they know,” Coffelt said.
She also said that her work in the department has exposed her to a broad range of topics that fall under the umbrella of sustainability. Coffelt chose to add a minor in food, energy and water in society to her degree program as a direct result of her internship experience.
After graduation, Coffelt hopes to stay in Lincoln and continue working to share information about science, sustainability and natural resources with the public.
Maggie Luttrell: Waste Diversion
Maggie Luttrell joined the LPS Sustainability team as a waste diversion intern in May 2024. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a major in environmental and sustainability studies and a minor in political science. Luttrell said that this role has provided a unique opportunity to draw from her existing areas of expertise.
“I was excited to experience something new and start to use my academic experience in a career field… [and] I’ve been working with kids for a long time,” she said. “Even though we don’t get to see students all the time, I still enjoy seeing the inner workings of a school district.”
Luttrell is responsible for almost all things waste across LPS, from construction sites to cafeterias. She has recently helped create an updated educational video for kindergarten Garbology lessons and visited a variety of waste-related businesses in southeast Nebraska.
“I loved going to Prairieland Dairy and First Star Recycling,” she said. “I’ve never been, and I got to learn something new!”
Luttrell said she hopes to return to her home state of Colorado after graduation to start the next step of her professional journey.
“I’m not sure what field I want to focus on, but I can definitely see myself continuing to work for a school district doing similar work to what I’m doing now,” she said.
We’re so excited to have such a wide range of interests and expertise on the Sustainability Team! If any of our interns could assist in your classroom, club or event, please feel free to reach out to us at sustainability@lps.org.
Updated August 1, 2024
