Emily chose to attend North Iowa Area Community College to complete her general education requirements while exploring her interests. \u201cWhen I first graduated high school, I wasn\u2019t entirely sure what I wanted to major in,\u201d she recalls. \u201cNIACC turned out to be the perfect choice.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the classroom, NIACC gave Emily the opportunity to continue her love for running by joining the cross country and track teams. The supportive campus community also felt like home \u2014 her family had positive experiences there, and she quickly found herself thriving in the close-knit environment. \u201cWhat I really loved about NIACC was the intimate learning environment,\u201d Emily says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lessons That Last a Lifetime<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During her time at NIACC (2007\u20132009), several instructors left a lasting impression. Keith Jaben, a familiar face from high school, helped ease her transition to college. Paul Peterson sparked a passion for writing, leading Emily to join the LOGOS team. And math instructor Chris Brandt, who had also taught her in high school, demonstrated patience and encouragement that helped Emily overcome academic challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n From Student to Teacher She went on to earn a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa and later a master\u2019s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Trauma and Resilience from Concordia University. Building Strong Foundations Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Emily was nominated by her administrators for the 2023 Inspire Award and named the 2024 Thank You Teacher of the Year \u2014 an honor that holds special meaning because it came from a family. \u201cTo me, the profound connection with students and families is the highest form of recognition, and it was an honor to receive the award from the Governor of Nebraska.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Emily Mujica walked across the stage at Mason City High School in 2007, she wasn\u2019t entirely sure where her path would lead. Like many graduates, she decided to start her college journey close to home \u2014 and that decision set the stage for a career built on passion, purpose and the power of education. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":4205,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[146,148],"tags":[45],"class_list":["post-4203","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","category-niacc-stories","tag-featured"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Emily](\"https:\/\/www.niacc.edu\/niacc-minute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/05\/2025-Randolph-kindergarten-first-day-photo-3-X3-678x1024.jpg\")
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After graduating from NIACC in 2010, Emily transferred to Iowa State University, where she earned a B.S. in Child, Adult and Family Services. She began her career as a District Executive with the Boy Scouts of America but soon discovered that her true calling was in education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 2018, Emily has been teaching kindergarten for Lincoln, Nebraska Public Schools \u2014 a role she describes as deeply fulfilling. \u201cTeaching wasn\u2019t my original career path, but I came to realize it was my calling,\u201d she explains. \u201cAs someone who struggled with school due to a learning disability, I know how important it is for a child to feel confident in their learning. That\u2019s why I became a teacher \u2014 to help students succeed and ensure they feel empowered in the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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For Emily, one of the greatest joys of her job is being a child\u2019s first teacher. \u201cIt\u2019s such a special role to welcome kids into the world of education,\u201d she says. \u201cI work alongside families to make sure our classroom is a safe, caring, and joyful place to be.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n