Jacie Milius

I am Jacie Milius, an University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension Educator in Nuckolls, Thayer and Clay counties focusing on the area of child and youth development with an emphasis on community vitality.

How I got here... In 2012, was blessed with a Family and Consumer Science teaching position at Thayer Central Community Schools in Hebron, Nebraska. Although my teaching endorsement is in Art Education, my B.S. in Textiles, Clothing, and Design through the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, made me an attractive candidate for the position. Thayer Central has allowed me to grow and develop my own teaching style and gain valuable teaching experience. During the course of my education, I understood many of the concepts discussed by the professors, however, it wasn't until my first classroom position that I actually experienced the concepts. At Thayer Central, I taught classes such as Child Development; Textiles, Clothing and Design; Family and Consumer Science Exploratory (junior high); Food Basics and Nutrition; and Creative Foods. This experience was truly great, however, it is not what I had intended for the remainder of my life. During winter 2013, a position opened up through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in an office around the area that I live. I took a chance and applied for the job and much to my surprise I actually received the position! I began the next chapter of my life as an Extension Educator following the 2013-14 school year.

I grew up on a farm outside of Hastings, Nebraska that grew corn, soybeans, and wheat, but also raised cattle and sheep. My father of course is still an extremely busy farmer, while my mother is an entrepreneur who owns a crafting store in Hastings. I grew up in my mother's store, so of course I became a "crafty" person. While I was in high school, I spend most of my summers learning the art of sewing and designing from a very special mentor, who got me involved in 4-H and interested in the fashion industry. My brother, J.D. and I also showed cattle and sheep, and participated in many other contests and projects in the 4-H program. This inspired my brother to attend the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in a Livestock Grazing program, he intends to go back to help run the family farm upon his graduation.