Teacher says students are grateful for educational opportunities

A dedicated teacher who worked in the Nebraska public school system for 13 years, now finds himself heading to work at the Lincoln Correctional Center at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Teacher Josh Murtaugh said he loves K-12 education, but was ready for a new professional challenge that served others. "It's way different than what people think," he said.

Murtaugh said he enjoys coming to work every day because he sees how hard his students work. "I find a lot of them didn't have a good experience in school. To change that experience and respond with positive, constructive feedback is an amazing opportunity."

Murtaugh works with other teachers to find new and exciting ways to help the people living at all 10 Nebraska facilities earn their high school degree or GED and take a variety of job skill-building trades through a variety of online classes. "I wasn't expecting how grateful they are for the educational opportunity they receive here," Murtaugh said. "Working here, I get to see the amazing changes you can have on an individual that can jumpstart a new period of success in their lives."

Ninety-three percent of people living in NDCS facilities will enter back into the community. The average length of stay for an individual is about three years. Achieving educational goals and developing new job skills is vital to each person's progress back in the community so they can find success.

Murtaugh just recently signed another contract to continue teaching students. "This facility is where these men live right now," he said. "What they do with their time here will change the outcome of their future. We're here to help with that."

Recreation Coordinator grows confidence in others

Watch this video about Sharlene Most and how she feels her job in recreation at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women positively impacts the women at the facility.

There are 150 different job classifications at NDCS. Below is an array of positions in Programming.

- Teacher

- Principal

- Administrative Assistant

- Recreation Manager

- Recreation Specialist

- Reentry Specialist

- Vocational and Life Skills Coordinator

- Religious Coordinator

- Librarian