Maddie Fennell, executive director of the Nebraska State Education Association, is stepping down, the association said Monday.
Fennell, who has held the post since 2017, cited family health reasons, the association said.
The association board has named Trish Guinan as her replacement.
Guinan was the association’s director of advocacy.

Fennell
In a statement, Fennell said she’s grateful for the faith that the board and members placed in her during her time as director.
“Unfortunately, the continued health needs of my husband, my son and other members of my family require more attention than I can give while also fully executing the responsibilities of executive director,” she said.
Fennell, the 2007 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, has been a member of the NSEA since 1986. She said she “will continue my support of the important work done by the incredible members, leadership and staff of the association.”
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Guinan, a 43-year member of the NSEA, taught mathematics at the secondary and college levels, the association said. She began her association work as a field representative for members in 1996, becoming director of member rights in 2000 and director of advocacy in 2012.
Jennie Benson, association president, said Fennell has been a strong advocate for children, public school employees and public schools.
“The board and I were saddened to hear of the personal reasons behind Maddie’s desire to step down, and we wish her and her family the very best for the future,” Benson said.
Benson said the selection of Guinan ensures the association “will not miss a beat in advocating for and supporting our members.
“This is particularly important given the challenging time educators and education support professionals are facing with the pandemic and all the issues surrounding it,” she said. “Trish brings significant expertise and experience in working for our members and with school district officials to address these concerns.”
While teaching, Guinan also served as the Fremont Public Schools staff development coordinator. Prior to joining NSEA as a staff member, she was a building representative, negotiator, vice president and president for the Fremont Education Association.
She also served as vice president of NSEA’s Metro District Board of Directors and was a delegate to the National Education Association Representative Assembly and the NSEA Delegate Assembly.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of November 2021

Creighton's Arthur Kaluma (24) tries to get past Kennesaw State's Nate Springs during their game at CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday.

Western Illinois's Jadrian Flores (11) and Nebraska's Alonzo Verge Jr. (1) react to a call during their game at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt walks off the field with Jaxon Edwards (left) and Peyton Edwards (right) at the end of his final game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Portia Clayborne, a cook at the Siena Francis House, puts trays of food in an oven before dinner last month.

Cross County's Cory Hollinger reacts to not being able to catch up to a third-down deep pass in the second quarter against Howells-Dodge during the D1 championship game on Monday.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt breaks up a pass to Ohio State's Chris Olave during the first half of their game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Cross County's Cameron Graham turns away as he listens to his coach Hayden Delano (holding runner-up trophy) talks to his team after losing to Howells-Dodge in the D1 championship game on Monday.

Nebraska's William Przystup reacts after his blocked punt was returned for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Nebraska's Zavier Betts (15) eyes an official who threw a flag on Nebraska head coach Scott Frost for unsportsmanlike like conduct after Betts wasn't able to make a catch in the final seconds of the Nebraska vs. Wisconsin football game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Saturday. Wisconsin won the game 35-28.

Nebraska's Levi Falck (88) and others walk off the field following the Nebraska vs. Wisconsin football game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Saturday. Wisconsin won the game 35-28.

Nebraska's Markese Stepp (30) leaps into the end zone in the Nebraska vs. Wisconsin football game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Saturday.

Levi Voss, 8, fist bumps Huskers players with his dad, Tom Voss, of Oshkosh, Wis., ahead of the Nebraska vs. Wisconsin football game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Saturday.

From left: Team Dropkin's Tom Howell and Mark Fenner sweep a stone during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for curling at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Tuesday.

Union Pacific workers drag a 40-foot-tall spruce tree through the front door of the Durham Museum on Monday.

Bennington's Isaac Connor (2) and Seth Wempen (3) celebrate a win over Elkhorn at Badger Field in Bennington on Friday, November 12, 2021.

UNO Head Coach Derrin Hansen watches his team take onn Hastings on Tuesday.

UNO's Felix Lemetti, left, tries to keep the ball away from Hastings's Phil Cisrow on Tuesday.

Creighton's Greg McDermott laughs at Ryan Hawkins during a game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at CHI Health Center on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.

Creighton's Trey Alexander reacts to Ryan Hawkins drawing a foul against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Creighton's Ryan Nembhard attempts to keep control of the ball against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at CHI Health Center on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez takes the field before a game against Ohio State during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.

Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost speaks with an official in the second half against Ohio State on Saturday.

Nebraska's Samori Toure can't catch up to a late fourth-quarter pass against Ohio State on Saturday.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez jumps up to high-five a young fan after their loss to Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.

Army National Guard Spc. Frank Stroup plays Reveille before the start of the Nebraska and Ohio State on Saturday.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez celebrates running in a touchdown in the third quarter against Ohio State on Saturday.

Ohio State's Chris Olave (2) can't get the the ball with Nebraska's Myles Farmer (4) on him in the Ohio State vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday. A pass interference call was made against Farmer.

Nebraska's Samori Toure catches a pass for 24-yards as he gets hit by Ohio State's Cameron Brown on their first drive on Saturday.

Fans tailgate in the east parking lot of Memorial Stadium before the Nebraska and Ohio State game on Saturday.

Elkhorn North's Haylee Wolf reacts to a point against Norris at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, November 5, 2021.

Omaha Westside's Kyle Vincentini (20) celebrates his team's win following the Omaha Burke vs. Omaha Westside NSAA Class A quarterfinal football game at Omaha Westside High School on Friday. Omaha Westside won the game 42-3.

Iowa's Kyler Fisher celebrates after returning a blocked punt for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Fans watch Elkhorn take on Seward on Friday.

Seward's Christian Fields catches a touchdown pass late in the first half in front of Elkhorn's Zach Leinen on Friday.

Cousins Flynn Jacobson, 8, and Nora Owen, 10, chat Thursday from their cars while waiting for the doors to open at Kohll’s Pharmacy near 127th and Q Streets. The two received their first doses of the COVID vaccine.

Irving Lopez skates at Millwork Park on Monday, Nov. 10, 2021. Millwork Commons, centered at 13th and Nicholas Streets in north downtown, has expanded. Millwork Park features a skateboard spot and basketball hoops and is preparing to build more housing.

Kaiden winces while getting the first dose of the vaccine from registered nurse Jerryl Thom at Kohll's Pharmacy near 127th and Q Streets in Omaha on Thursday, November 04, 2021. Children ages 5-11 are now authorized to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Walt Coy, 103, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and left as a sergeant. Photographed at his home, which he built himself, in Omaha on Wednesday.

Nebraska's Luke Reimer celebrates after breaking up a pass to Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert during the first half of their game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Creighton's Ryan Hawkins celebrates after Creighton takes the lead late in the second half of their game against SIU-Edwardsville at CHI Health Center on Saturday.

Nebraska's Luke Reimer tries to break up a pass to Sam LaPorta's during the first half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Bennington's Luke Macdonald celebrates with fans after defeating Aurora in their Class B State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Monday.
joe.dejka@owh.com, 402-444-1077