Staff Spotlight: Madison Mallum - special education teacher at Pyrtle Elementary School

August 1, 2025

Every week, we shine a spotlight on one Lincoln Public Schools staff member! This week, meet Madison Mallum, special education teacher at Pyrtle Elementary School.

“Madison always has a positive attitude and works diligently to meet students where they are at and then take them to the next step in a supportive way that encourages independence and confidence in their abilities.” - Becky Unterseher, Pyrtle Elementary School principal.

In a few sentences, briefly describe your role at LPS.
I am a special education teacher at Pyrtle Elementary. Currently, I help run our student support center and get to work with students K-5 in order to collaborate, teach, advocate and program for students who utilize the program.

How long have you worked for LPS?
I have completed eight years of teaching for LPS. I have spent all eight of those years at Pyrtle Elementary.

What inspired you to become part of the education field at LPS?
I have always loved working with kids. I fell in love with teaching through teaching dance throughout high school. I am a proud product of LPS and enjoyed my educational experience, along with all of the practicum experiences that I had throughout college.

When student teaching in my special education placement, I knew that I wanted to become a special education teacher. I saw the impact that my cooperating teacher had on her students and I wanted to have that same positive impact on the students that I work with. I have loved it ever since!

What has been your favorite part of working here? What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?
My favorite part of working for LPS is the relationships that I have built with students, parents, teachers and staff members. I love collaborating and working with all team members in order to achieve success. My favorite part is watching students’ confidence grow and watching the pride in their faces when they are able to accomplish something that was hard.

Did you attend LPS as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?
I attended Kahoa Elementary, Mickle Middle School and East High School.

What path did you take after completing your formal education?
I received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Nebraska Wesleyan University. I completed my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in social-emotional learning from Doane University.

What do you enjoy most about the Lincoln community?
My favorite thing about the Lincoln community is how it is really like a small big town. The joke is that almost anywhere I go, I run into someone that I know. I also love how supportive the Lincoln community is of its people.

What is your favorite childhood book or a book that has influenced your life positively?
My favorite childhood book would be the “Junie B. Jones” series or the “Magic School Bus” series. My siblings and I would swap out books from one of those series to read every night before going to bed. These series began my love for reading and inspired me to share books or series of students’ interests to help instill their love of reading, too.

Share a shout out to a former teacher who impacted your life.
I have had many fabulous teachers who have had a positive impact on my life. Some of them from my time in elementary are Mrs. Malone, Mrs. Zimmerman and Mrs. Fisher.

Do you know a LPS staff member we should feature for Staff Spotlight? Fill out this form to nominate them!

---