Leyton Public Schools Logo

Mikaela Franzen

Business-FCS-Yearbook

Education

Bachelors of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education 6-12 with endorsement in Business, Marketing, and Information Technology 6-12

Chadron State College

Chadron, Nebraska

About Me

Born and raised in Cheyenne County, I’m excited to return to the school and community that inspired me to become a teacher. After graduating from Leyton in 2016, I earned my degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from Chadron State College. I was drawn to career and technical education because it provides me the ability to work with students on their employable skills and future goals. I later added a Business, Marketing, and Information Technology endorsement after discovering how closely those standards align with Family and Consumer Sciences. I spent the first five years of my teaching career at Thedford Public Schools, where I taught and was involved in school and community activities. Amongst all of the class advising meetings, proms planned, speeches coached and county fairs judged, one of the most rewarding parts of my career was serving as an FCCLA adviser where I helped students build confidence, leadership abilities and communication skills while competing at the state and national levels. During that time, I attended seven National FCCLA Conferences with students, earned four ACE (Advisers Committed to Excellence) awards, and became a Nebraska Association Master Adviser in 2026. Outside of school, I enjoy baking, trying new recipes, learning new skills and spending time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to getting to know my students and helping them prepare for their future!

Philosophy of Education

"If you wanna be somebody. If you wanna go somewhere. You better wake up and pay attention." Those words have stayed with me since childhood, first grade to be exact because I recited them enough in Ms. Carolyn Schmitt’s classroom for her to recite them back to my parents during parent-teacher conferences. These words have always reminded me that success begins with paying attention, working hard and making intentional choices. I believe every student can achieve success when they are challenged, supported and given meaningful learning experiences. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel valued, develop real-world skills and leave believing they have the ability to achieve their goals. In Career and Technical Education, my goal is to help students wake up to the possibilities before them, pay attention to the skills and opportunities that will shape their futures and help them to realize that their dreams can become reality through hard work and continuous learning.

Experience