Dr. Courtney Matulka is a passionate educator known for sparking curiosity and pushing students beyond the typical "Why?" questions to the more imaginative "What if?" inquiries. During her time teaching 8th-grade science at Beadle Middle School in Omaha, Courtney brought creativity into the classroom through hands-on, engaging lessons. Her students explored mining concepts using chocolate chip cookies, learned about energy types through lively games of Pictionary, and studied atmospheric conditions with a hopscotch activity called Walk It to Know It. Through project-based learning, scientific inquiry, and collaboration, she cultivated a love for science while equipping students with 21st-century skills.
Transitioning into higher education, Courtney joined the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she tackled the pressing issue of teacher recruitment and retention. Her dissertation research focused on STEM teacher attrition, using case studies to uncover the reasons educators leave the profession. Motivated by a deep understanding of the challenges teachers face, she championed the integration of microcredentials—originally popular in the business world—into teacher development. She designed meaningful microcredential experiences that delivered just-in-time learning tailored to the evolving needs of today’s educators and school leaders.
Currently, Courtney serves as an instructional facilitator in the Leadership and Learning Department of a local school district. In this role, she leads strategic planning at both the district and building levels, and helps design professional development for teachers, administrators, substitutes, paras, and student teachers. Across every position she's held, Courtney’s mission has remained constant: to empower and uplift educators in ways that ultimately enrich students’ learning experiences.
"We know that all students will experience failure....[Our..." (read more)
