Faculty in the CDL have a unique and challenging role. Within each classroom there are always at least two levels of learners; college students and young children. CDL faculty must work to scaffold the learning of each individual. Staffing of faculty in the classroom has been planned with this in mind. Each classroom contains a Master Teacher and a Mentor Teacher, who work together to meet the diverse needs of the classroom.
The role of the Master Teacher is to plan and implement effective and appropriate learning experiences for the college students enrolled in CYAF 497A. These experiences include classroom teaching experiences, reflection activities, documentation work, and the like. The Master Teacher also ensures that experiences appropriate for other students assigned to the classroom (CYAF 270, 374, 385, etc.) are met. Experiences for these students are planned by the course instructor but carried out in the classroom. The Master Teacher works with the Mentor Teacher to determine effective ways to provide these students with appropriate feedback and coaching in order to meet course goals. Although the Master Teacher is primarily responsible for college students, the Master Teacher and Mentor Teacher will work together to ensure the overall safety, function, and smooth operation of the classroom.
The role of the Mentor Teacher is primarily to ensure the smooth operation of the classroom and guarantee that the needs of the children are effectively met. The Mentor Teacher also serves as a model for college students by planning, implementing, and evaluating activities/experiences for children, developing PACT (Parents and Children Together) events, developing groupings for children, approving newsletters and other methods of parent-school communication, and the like. The teaching team also provides on-the-spot coaching for students when appropriate.
Jennifer Leeper Miller, M.S.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH, AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
DIRECTOR AT RUTH STAPLES CHILD DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN.
2004-PRESENT.
As the Director, Jennifer focuses on meeting the needs of our families, children, students, and staff. She maintains all required records for Nebraska licensing and NAEYC accreditation. It is a goal of her’s to continue to build public relations and create professional opportunities for the faculty members and students to disseminate action research taking place in our daily lives in the classroom. Jennifer encourages our families at the lab school to have an active role in their child’s learning experiences.
Jennifer has studied and observed early childhood in Italy, Scotland, New Zealand, and China. She is thankful for these experiences and is inspired by various cultural views of Early Childhood Education.
In spring of 2014, Jennifer was awarded the Terri Lynne Lokof/Children’s Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Award. She enjoys family time outside fishing, walking, exploring with her husband and three children, Leo, Ruby, and Dexter, who are all Ruth Staples Alumni children!
Mollie von Kampen, M.S.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH, AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND MASTER TEACHER.
2013-PRESENT.
Mollie has called Ruth Staples home for many years. She completed her undergraduate work at the lab and was also a graduate assistant. Mollie’s undergraduate degree is in Inclusive Early Childhood Education and her master’s degree is in Child Development and Early Childhood Education, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has been in the field of teaching both toddlers and preschoolers for over ten years both here in Nebraska as well as in Kansas. Mollie has also worked as a master teacher at Educare of Lincoln.
Mollie feels honored to be a part of children’s learning here at the lab school. Spending time in the outdoor classroom is her favorite part of the day. Watching the children explore and connect with nature is such an extraordinary experience for her, and every day is new and feels exciting when heading outdoors! Mollie also has a passion for sharing books with children and always makes time to read and share stories. Sharing and coaching pre-service teachers to be a part of play-based learning is incredibly rewarding and she feels honored to be a part of their teaching journey.
Mismiki Montomery, B.S.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH, AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COACH & MASTER TEACHER.
2018-PRESENT.
Miki is multi-passionate about topics that simulate children are too young to understand. She writes and creates developmentally appropriate curriculum in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, early nutrition intervention and mindfulness. One of her favorite activities to do with our children is year-round gardening and caring for our school plant families!
Her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development was completed at SCC. She then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to complete her undergraduate in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. Miki has 30 years of experience working in the field of education, which includes preschool, elementary education, and various school-age youth development programs. For a short time, she was the youth director for a non-profit preschool/youth program where she worked to build partnerships with the community that assisted the needs of underserved youth in Lincoln, NE, and learned a great deal on trauma-informed care.
Miki was born in Englewood, NJ, but left the east coast when she was 2 years old. She has traveled all over the U.S. and grew up mostly in the Midwest. During her early youth, she lived in the United Kingdom for 4 years and feels grateful for being able to experience another country’s culture and education system at such a young age. Her favorite activity while there was beachcombing the English seashores and developing a natural love for the ocean!
Miki is the mother of 4 boys, Darion, Isaac, Malcolm and Benjamin, and the wife of 1 husband, Vern. The boys are very active in competitive sports that mostly include football and basketball and thrive in athlete leadership. Family time includes a lot of eat sleep, sports and repeat!
She couldn’t be more grateful to have found her home at Ruth Staples CDL and as a faculty member of the CYAF department. After all her experiences, she has learned the importance of working for and with others who value your contributions and expertise. She feels very honored and proud to be a part of the UNL lab school.
Eric Unrau, B.A.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH, AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
MENTOR TEACHER.
2011-PRESENT.
Eric was born in Freeman, South Dakota where he was a “preacher’s kid.” He moved to Lincoln when he was 5 years old. He went to Southeast Community College, where he received an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and graduated with Distinction. He then completed his bachelor’s of arts in Human Relations at Doane College. Eric worked at the SCC ECE Center for 20 years before moving to the Ruth Staples Child Development Lab School in 2011. He supports our children and families with training preservice students and works in a state of the art indoor and outdoor classrooms.
Eric has two children, Nicholas and Taytum, and has an older brother, Kent, who lives in Italy with his wife, Waltraud. He loves doing anything in the great outdoors; traveling, mountain biking, camping, climbing, backpacking, skiing, (you get the idea) with his family and listening to music both recorded and live.
In 2015, Eric was awarded the Terri Lynne Lokof/Children’s Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Award. He also was featured in the Fall 2025 NAEYC Publication for Young Children. He values the role of the child in the learning process and prioritizes building relationships with the children and families in any classroom! His favorite experiences in the teaching role are exploring outside with children and seeing the world through their lens of awe and wonder about the world around them.
Eric strives to provide quality classroom experiences that support the development of problem-solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning skills. His goal is to assist children in learning competent and appropriate social emotional behaviors as part of our classroom community.
Chelsea Brisbin, B.S.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH, AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
MENTOR TEACHER.
2019-PRESENT.
Chelsea comes from a large and unique family from Grand Island, NE, but has lived in Lincoln since she came here for college. She was lucky enough to have been a former Ruth Staples Student teacher, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2016 with a dual Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development. Working with Ruth Staples as a student teacher was where she found my passion for Early Childhood! Chelsea began her career at Ruth Staples in January 2019, after working as a Lead Teacher with the Early Head Start program for several years.
Chelsea and her husband, Jeff, son, Braden, and dog, Ollie, love devoting time outdoors as much as possible. They spend a lot of time camping, playing in their neighborhood and exploring new places. They also love to visit both of their families in Grand Island or having them come visit here.
Chelsea feels so excited to be a part of the Ruth Staples team! She loves being able to work on building such strong relationships with the children, as well as the families. Chelsea feels lucky to be a part of this wonderful program where children are in control of their learning and she gets to guide their experiences!
Brenna Walsh, B.S.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
MENTOR TEACHER.
2021-PRESENT.
Brenna’s connection began during her student teaching at UNL, where she first experienced the Lab School’s joyful, relationship-centered approach to early learning. Brenna graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences and an endorsement in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. Before joining the RSCDL team, she taught with Lincoln Public Schools as an early educator and kindergarten teacher.
Originally from Lincoln, Brenna grew up just south of the city and graduated from Norris High School. She and her husband, Chris, and have three energetic boys—Charlie, Grayson, and Sonny—who fill their days with laughter and adventure. As a family, they love cheering on the Huskers and Chicago Cubs, spending time outdoors, and traveling to warm, sunny places with waves.
Brenna love’s the energy that comes from working alongside young children, families, and university students. Every day brings new discoveries, meaningful connections, and moments of wonder. She feels thrilled to continue learning and growing together as part of the Ruth Staples community!
Madeline Williams, B.S.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
MENTOR TEACHER.
2021-PRESENT
Madeline supports children’s learning through play-based, relationship-centered experiences. She is passionate about guiding future educators and creating inclusive environments where every child feels valued and capable. Madeline integrates reflective teaching practices and child-led exploration to nurture curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Madeline has expertise in Circle of Security International Coaching and has facilitated this program at the lab school. Her work emphasizes reflective teaching, collaboration, and the creation of inclusive learning environments that promote children’s growth across all developmental domains. Madeline is committed to fostering professional learning communities that bridge theory and practice in the field of early childhood education.
Andrea Ohles, M.S.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY IN THE CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT,
MENTOR TEACHER.
2024-PRESENT
Since 2011, Andrea has been involved in the field of early childhood education, whether as a teacher, student, or volunteer. She has had a variety of early childhood teaching positions, including working at a Montessori school, a Christian preschool, and a school serving children living in poverty. Her experience at Ruth Staples began when she was a practicum student at the lab school. Andrea completed her early childhood student teaching at Ruth Staples as well, earning a B.S. in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, and later returning as a faculty member, working as a Classroom Assistant in Goldenrod for the 2020-2021 school year. After that, while finishing her M.S. degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Literacy through the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she worked as a full-time nanny. Prior to beginning early childhood teaching, Andrea studied at a St. Olaf College, a small liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, and earned a B.A. in Spanish with a concentration in Linguistic Studies.
In December of 2024, Andrea returned to Ruth Staples, and, as of August 2025, has the title of Mentor Teacher, teaching the toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years old in the Bluestem classroom. The role of mentoring future teachers in addition to teaching young children is a unique feature of a lab school, and it makes the work both challenging and fulfilling. When she is not working, she enjoys family time, coffee or meals with friends, road trips, watching college volleyball on TV, reading, and painting.