A shortage of teachers in Nevada has inspired Western Nevada Colleges new education professor to develop strategies to shrink that shortfall.

I believe Western Nevada College; the University of Nevada, Reno; Nevada State College; and our local school districts can and must restore the teacher pipeline through collaboration and innovation, Sarah Lobsinger said.

Lobsinger previously worked for Carson City School District, serving as a curriculum coordinator and mathematics instructor. She is excited to begin her new role at WNC.

Im really looking forward to meeting my students, finding out what they want to do and helping them knock down the things that may stand in their way of doing it, she said.

While noticing a decline in the teacher pool in 2017, she started an education program at Carson High School to recruit high school students to take a dual-credit course from UNR so they could explore the various career choices related to education. After successfully building and implementing the program, Lobsinger decided to transition to WNC to continue her work in growing the education program and teaching introductory education courses to students interested in pursuing a career in education.

One of my goals this year is to ask the tough questions and go the extra mile to inspire others to consider a career in education, Lobsinger said. The first step for students is to take one of my education classes. The first step for me is to make connections with my students helping them set and reach their goals.

Lobsinger earned a bachelors degree in secondary mathematics education from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., in 2001. For the next five years, she taught mathematics and coached soccer and basketball in schools in Oklahoma and Texas.

She served as a math instructor at Carson High School from 2005-13, including one year at Eagle Valley Middle School. In 2013, Carson City School District earned the Race to the Top grant, presenting Lobsinger with the opportunity to build the learner-centered model, which included the revamping of curriculum, assessment and instruction. During this time, Lobsinger earned a masters degree from UNR in Educational Leadership and School Administration.

Lobsinger currently resides in Carson City with her husband and three children.

To connect with Sarah about the education program at WNC, phone 775-445-4427 or email her at sarah.lobsinger@wnc.edu.