Staff Spotlight: Liz Pistulka - second grade teacher at Elliott Elementary School

October 17, 2025

Every week, we shine a spotlight on one Lincoln Public Schools staff member! This week, meet Liz Pistulka, second grade teacher at Elliott Elementary School.

“Liz is a highly dedicated and creative teacher and teammate. She is inspiring to everyone around her. She is positive, kind, engaging and a remarkable educator. Liz is always going the extra mile, and it is a great benefit to all of us who are honored enough to work alongside her.” -  Amy Pinegar, second grade teacher at Elliott Elementary School 

How long have you worked for LPS?
This will be my ninth year teaching but my fifth year in LPS.

What inspired you to become part of the education field at LPS?
What first inspired me to teach in LPS was in part due to my experience at Elliott as a college student. I had a practicum and then student taught at Elliott and could feel a magic in that building and community that I knew I wanted to be a part of. I always hoped I would one day teach there. When I graduated from college, my husband and I moved to another state. While I enjoyed my time teaching in a new state, I was able to see that there are many systems that LPS has in place that many districts do not.

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 is how much support there is for teachers from a school building level (interventionists, coaches, support people and present administration) to a district level (teacher leaders, coordinators and curriculum specialists). There are so many who come together to support teachers so we can have the best outcomes for our students. 

The most rewarding part of my job is getting a chance every year to build a community in my classroom. It’s so cool to see a group start out as virtual strangers to a group that learns together, learns from each other, works together, helps each other, is vulnerable with and makes memories with! I am thankful that being an educator also allows me the chance to do the learning in our classroom as well.

Did you attend LPS as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?
I did not attend LPS. I lived throughout the Midwest and attended schools in Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska. I graduated from high school in Holdrege, Neb.

What path did you take after completing your formal education?
After high school, I received my bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

What do you enjoy most about the Lincoln community?
I love that Lincoln has a plethora of cultures, cuisines, coffee shops and kind people!

What is your favorite childhood book or a book that has influenced your life positively?
A favorite series I read as a child would be “The Little House on the Prairie” books. That was the first series I clung on to. The anticipation during their hardships and journeys got me into chapter books!

Share a shout out to a former teacher who impacted your life.
A shout out would have to go to my eighth grade math teacher, Mrs. Anderson, in Holdrege. I remember I had her check my homework for me during her plan time, and she said, “Wow, you're so good at this you should be an accountant!" This comment was such a small part of her day, but it had a lasting impact on my math identity and me as a student. I can only hope that the small comments I make throughout the day to my students may have an impact like that!

Do you know a LPS staff member we should feature for Staff Spotlight? Fill out this form to nominate them!

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