Staff Spotlight: Sydney Auman - vocal music teacher at Dawes Middle School

May 23, 2025

Every week, we’ll shine a spotlight on one Lincoln Public Schools staff member! Get to know the wonderful people making a positive impact across various areas within LPS. This week, meet Sydney Auman, vocal music teacher at Dawes Middle School.

“Ms. Auman builds strong connections with ?her vocal music students, taking the time to get to know them as individuals. She is always on the lookout for students who have an interest in music, creating opportunities to welcome them into her class and inviting them to sing after school. It’s wonderful to ?see and ?hear students who choose to stay after school ?and sing ?alongside her, while Mr. Koudelka accompanies them on the piano. Beyond her daily impact, Ms. Auman has taken her passion even further by ?starting a Unified Music course at Dawes second semester. She has shared that the Unified Music course is the highlight of her day, and she has extended an open invitation to staff members to stop in and witness the joy of students of all abilities expressing themselves through music and learning about instruments together. This ?course is a testament to Ms. Auman’s commitment to inclusivity, student engagement and the power of the arts in education.” - Jen Lesoing, Dawes Middle School teacher. 

In a few sentences, briefly describe your role at LPS.
As the vocal music teacher at Dawes, I spend my day teaching general music education classes, guitar, and choir. I also piloted Unified Music on the middle school level during the third quarter!

How long have you worked for LPS?
I have been teaching in LPS for two years.

What inspired you to become part of the education field at LPS?
I grew up attending LPS as a student! I had many teachers throughout my schooling journey who always inspired me to do my best and to ask questions. They believed in me even when what I faced seemed impossible. After leaving Lincoln to attend college, I realized how much I missed being a part of a larger school district and all the connections and resources that came with teaching in one, so I returned to Lincoln after graduating.

What has been your favorite part of working here? What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?
My favorite part of working in LPS has not only been building relationships with students and staff, but also reconnecting with teachers who I had growing up! It has been super fun to have attended LPS and then have some of my largest role models that I had growing up become people that I now get to call colleagues!

Did you attend LPS as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?
I did! I attended Morley Elementary School, Lux Middle School and East High School.

What path did you take after completing your formal education?
After graduating, I attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, and got my bachelor’s degree in vocal and instrumental music education.

What do you enjoy most about the Lincoln community?
What I enjoy most about the Lincoln community is that it is a big small town! My family always jokes that there are no strangers, just friends who I have not met yet, but it is true! No matter where you go in Lincoln, you will simultaneously find someone you know and make new friends. I also love the fact that there are so many local coffee shops and boutiques that I can explore in my free time!

What is your favorite childhood book or a book that has influenced your life positively?
I was a big reader growing up, so I could not choose just one favorite childhood book! If I had to, however, I would pick Harry Potter. It opened my eyes to the creativity needed to write stories that leave an impact on their readers, which I carry into the music making I do and teach every day!

Share a shout out to a former teacher who impacted your life.
I have too many to choose from, so shout out to all my LPS teachers who impacted my life in any way and believed in me! It is because of you that I am the educator that I am today!

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