Raise the Bar

Wednesday, Aug. 27th
5-7 p.m.

Brickway Brewery & Distillery
1116 Jackson Street
Omaha, Nebraska

Free admission.
Anyone 21+ is welcome.

504 Reserve Whiskey

A limited-release whiskey produced by Brickway Brewery & Distillery celebrating Section 504 protections for people with disabilities will be sold at Raise the Bar. ERC receives a percentage of the profits from each bottle sold.

RAYGUN + ERC Tee

Wear your ERC pride and let everyone know: JUSTICE STARTS AT SCHOOL. ERC receives a portion of the profits from each tee sold.

Debora Basler Wisneski Inclusive Innovation in Education Award

This award is presented annually to a Nebraska educator who embodies the spirit of Dr. Debora Basler Wisneski, a bold educator demonstrating compassionate and courageous leadership, who builds belonging through innovation in the classroom and beyond.

2025 Award Winner: Dr. Meribeth Jackson

Dr. Debora Basler Wisneski is a distinguished leader in early childhood education whose work has reshaped how communities and classrooms nurture every child’s right to learn. As the John T. Langan Community Chair in Early Childhood Education at the University of Nebraska Omaha, she has earned national recognition for her pioneering scholarship on play-based learning, equity-centered curriculum, and collaborative research initiatives that advance social justice in early education.

For six years she served as founding board president of Education Rights Counsel, guiding the ERC's growth with tenacity, integrity, and a passionate belief that every child deserves a voice in their education. Under her leadership, ERC forged powerful partnerships and developed pioneering strategies to protect educational rights statewide. The Debora Basler Wisneski Inclusive Innovation in Education Award celebrates her legacy—each year honoring a Nebraska educator who, like Dr. Wisneski, leads with compassion and courage, building belonging through innovation in the classroom and beyond.

Join us in celebrating our inaugural recipient of the Debora Basler Wisneski Award, Dr. Meribeth Jackson, whose 25-year career in special education exemplifies compassionate, courageous leadership. From teaching across Omaha and Bellevue Public Schools to guiding students in San Antonio’s Northside and Spring Branch ISDs, and serving as Disability Services Director at UNO, Meribeth has always placed students and their families at the heart of every decision.

A reflective listener and model of high expectations, Meribeth believes that truly supporting students means building trusting relationships and holding clear, specific standards. Whether designing behavioral interventions, modeling lessons, or offering targeted feedback, she insists that leaders must do what’s best for each child first—and empower families to join in that journey.

Through her steadfast commitment to emotional self-regulation and whole-child advocacy, Meribeth has witnessed remarkable transformations: students overcoming significant challenges to graduate, return to mainstream classrooms, and thrive in employment. Her legacy of collaboration, integrity, and hope will inspire families and educators for years to come.