LPS announces three new focus program administrators

February 13, 2025

Starting next fall, three of the standalone Lincoln Public Schools Focus Programs will have a full-time administrator at their location to support staff, students and families. The administrator will have similar responsibilities as a school building principal and administrative team. 

"We are so fortunate to have three leaders dedicated to supporting students and staff at these unique programs,” said Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Sarah Salem. “Their expertise will provide the necessary guidance to support students and teachers, create dynamic learning opportunities, and strengthen our connections with our community partners.”

Arts and Humanities Focus Program

Northeast High School Associate Principal Darla Berks will serve as the Arts and Humanities Focus Program Administrator next fall. Berks has been at Northeast since 2018. She was also a school improvement coordinator at Lincoln High from 2015-2018 and a math instructional coach in the LPS Curriculum Department from 2008-2015. Berks taught for 12 years prior to taking on the instructional coach role, starting at LPS in 2000. Berks earned a bachelor degree from Midland Lutheran College, and masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 

Bay High Focus Program

Brenna Alonso currently serves as an instructional coordinator at North Star High School and will be the Bay High Focus Program Administrator next school year. Prior to taking on the instructional coordinator role in 2023, Alonso was an art teacher at East High School from 2016-2023, serving as department chair for two years. She also taught at Norwood Park Elementary from 2015-2016. She earned a bachelor degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and a masters degree from Doane University.

Science Focus Program

LPS Continuous Improvement Coordinator Lindsey Roy has been named the Science Focus Program Administrator starting in the fall. Prior to being the coordinator, Roy was the school district’s science and digital learning coordinator for four years. Roy started at LPS in 2019 as a math teacher at Moore Middle School, coming to Lincoln from St. Louis, Missouri where she was a STEM coordinator for two years and teacher for seven years. Roy has a bachelor degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and a masters degree from Southwest Baptist University.

 

The administrators will officially begin their new duties on July 1.

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