Position: Director of special education and student services
Hometown: Blair
Residence: Blair
Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, secondary special education/health; master's degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, severe/multiple disabilities; master's of education from Doane University, educational leadership; doctorate from the University of South Dakota, educational administration.
Previous teaching: Wayne State College, 2018 to present; Northwest Public Schools, 2016-2021; Grand Island Public Schools/Central Nebraska Support Services Program, 2009-2016; Blair Community Schools, 2007-2009; Omaha Public Schools, 2002-2007.
Family: Wife, Diana; children, Kailey, Calin, Mya.
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
Twenty-nine years ago, I started volunteering for the Blair Special Olympics because my mom suggested I go and serve after seeing an in the Enterprise asking for volunteers. That was probably my calling to the education field. Each year since then, I have served individuals with disabilities in one way or another from volunteering, spending time as a teacher assistant, being a primary caretaker in a group home, being a paraeducator, a teacher and an administrator. I love what I do and love working with others to do what is best for kids.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
I have been blessed with a solid career in education. I look forward to being back in Blair and Washington County to serve the community and county that gave me a great foundation so I could have the opportunity to help kids and families across the state. I look forward to working with great people in the school and community to do what we can for kids and their families. Diana, the kids and I are excited to be here.
What is something people might not know about you?
Diana, the kids and I spend a lot of time in Burwell at the Calamus Reservoir. We love camping and boating. There are so many hidden gems in the state and Calamus is one of them tucked away in the Sandhills of Nebraska.
Position: North, South and Deerfield primary principal
Hometown: Hooper
Residence: Benson area in Omaha
Education: Bachelor's in elementary education, UNO; master's in curriculum and instruction, Wayne State; master's in administration, UNL.
Previous teaching: Educational consultant at ESU #3, principal Oakdale Elementary for Westside, third grade teacher for Westside.
Family: Husband Jake and son Jacob, two dogs and a cat
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I have always wanted to be in education, I think because I've always been blessed to have amanzing educators my whole life.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Working with the amazing PK-2 staff across the district to unite as a primary system. We are #BetterTogether.
What is something people might not know about you?
I'm the 1996 Hooper Saddle Club barrel racing champion.
Position: K-2 special education at North Primary School, JV volleyball coach
Hometown: West Point
Residence: Omaha
Education: Elementary and special education from Wayne State College
Previous teaching: Two years at Humphrey St. Francis in fourth grade
Family: Dog named Benny, 2.
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I taught swimming lessons as a lifeguard throughout high school and loved working with kids so I wanted to continue it.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
I'm excited to be in the special education classroom and work with so many experienced and wonderful people. Also, very excited for the volleyball season this year.
What is something people might not know about you?
I studied abroad in Costa Rica for a month.
Position: 7-8 band at Otte Blair Middle School
Hometown: Hastings
Residence: Elkhorn
Education: University of Nebraska-Kearney, graduated in 2003.
Previous teaching: Overton, 2004-2005; Ashland-Greenwood, 2005-2021
Family: Wife, Janelle, is the music teacher at Deerfield; children, Emmett and Lily
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I had a lot of great teachers through school including my dad, who showed me how rewarding a teaching career can be.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Getting to know the kids and share the fun and joy of making music every day.
What is something people might not know about you?
I am a published composer of band music, and I have a collection of Star Wars models that I have built.
Position: 6-8 vocal music at Otte Blair Middle School
Hometown: Elkhorn
Residence: Elkhorn
Education: Undergraduate at Midland University, bachelor's in K-12 vocal music
Previous teaching: Gretna Public Schools, four years
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
My parents were both master teachers who gave me an early love for education.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
I can't wait to strt making music with a passionate group of performers.
What is something people might not know about you?
I traveled to over 10 countries before I turned 20.
Position: Assistant principal at Otte Blair Middle School
Hometown: Omaha
Residence: Omaha
Education: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, secondary resource SpEd; Creighton University, master's in education leadership
Previous teaching: West Contra Unified School District, Omaha Public Schools, Jesuit Academy Westside Community Schools
Family: Married to Catherine; daughters, Mary Cate and Colleen
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
In high school at Creighton Prep, I had many teachers who had a significant impact on my career in education. Thorugh working at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, I was drawn to special education.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
I am looking forward to building relationships and serving the Blair community.
What is something people might not know about you?
I spend seven years coaching high school football and basketball. I have a passion for athletics and what sports can do for students outside of the classroom.
Position: Sixth grade math
Hometown: Blair
Residence: Blair
Education: Bachelor's in math education from University of South Dakota
Previous teaching: Taught for two years in Millard at Horizon High School
Family: 10-month-old yellow lab
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
Mr. Zurek, my seventh grade math teacher in Blair, inspired me and made math both interesting and fun.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Forming a relationship with my students and providing them with a positive school environment.
What is something people might not know about you?
I will also be coaching winter swim team at the Blair Family YMCA this year.
Position: Principal, Otte Blair Middle School
Hometown: Miller, S.D.
Residence: Elkhorn
Education: Undergraduate at Dakota State University; graduate at Doane University
Previous teaching: 14 years Omaha Burke, teacher and coach; three years at Otte Blair Middle School, teacher and coach; eight years at Louisville, 6-12 principal
Family: Wife, Jennifer
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
My grandmother inspired me to go into education. She taught in a one-room school house. My high school government teacher also inspired me with his passion for teaching.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Getting staff and students back in the building and developing positive relationships with our stakeholders. Above all else, I look forward to serving those around me.
What is something people might now know about you?
I played professional basketball briefly in Ireland.
Position: Spanish 1 and 2, grades 9-12
Hometown: Wayne
Residence: Blair
Education: Bachelor's from Wayne State College
Previous teaching: Cedar Rapids, Wisner-Pilger, Fremont, Madison, Wayne, Weeping Water, Boys Town, Papillion-La Vista South, East Butler, Kimball, North Carolina, Falls City, High Plains
Family: Husband, David; son, Chris; cats, Bonsai and Samson; dogs, Daisy, Lily, Gus and Jake
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
My first grade teacher Mrs. Miller.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
The students!
What is something people might not know about you?
I lived in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down (1989).
Position: Occupational therapist
Hometown: Clive, Iowa
Residence: Omaha
Education: I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology from Boise State University and my doctorate of occupational therapy from Creighton University.
Previous teaching: I completed my clinical rotation at Blair Community Schools last year.
Family: I'm married to my high school sweetheart and we have two children.
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
Prior to OT school, I was a behavior interventionist in the public school system in Canyon County, Idaho. It was during this time that I discovered how OT can be beneficial to children in the education setting and decided to go back to school.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the amazing kids and their families.
What is something people might not know about you?
I had my first job ta the age of 9 years old. I was paid to participate in a focus group for beverage products by Proctor & Gamble.
Position: Kindergarten, North Primary School
Hometown: Fremont
Residence: Arlington
Education: Graduated from Fremont High School, bachelor's degree in elementary K-8 from Midland University
Previous teaching: Omaha Public Schools
Family: Just got married at the end of May to Ben Dobson
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
My first grade teacher inspired me to become a teacher and educate my students as she did for me.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Working in the Blair community with the amazing staff, parents and students.
What is something people might not know about you?
I coach softball in the summer.
Position: Second grade, South Primary School
Hometown: Elm Creek
Residence: Blair
Education: Graduated from Elm Creek Public Schools, undergraduate and graduate at Doane University
Family: Husband, Joel; children, Olivia, William, Skylar and Isaac.
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I've always loved working with young children.
What are you looking forward to about he school year?
Excited to see all the growth and changes in Blair.
What is something people might not know about you?
I played college basketball and track and field.
Position: Fourth grade
Hometown: Blair
Residence: Tekamah
Education: Undergraduate, Midland University; master's, UNO
Previous teaching: Elkhorn Public Schools for four years
Family: Married in July to Colin Wright
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I always wanted to work with children.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
I'm looking forward to working in a district with a tight knit community.
What is something people might not know about you?
I grew up next door to my new teammate!
Position: 9-12 computer science, robotics, IT, business
Hometown: Kansas City, Kan./Springfield, Neb.
Residence: Papillion
Education: Bachelor's degrees from UNO in 1990, 2005, 2006 and 18 hours toward master's degree
Previous teaching: Omaha Public Schools, Pius , Alpha School
Family: Divorced, three kids, Ryan, Sarah and Faith
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
All my life I was told I would be a great teacher. After 33 years in the business world, I decided to change careers.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Being able to grow the computer science and robotics program.
What is something people might not know about you?
Diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan.
Position: 9th and 11th grade history, ACP
Hometown: Fremont
Residence: Bennington
Education: Elementary and special education at Hastings College
Previous teaching: Sixth and seventh grade resource, Grand Island Public Schools, 1 year; fifth and sixth grade resource, sixth through eighth grade behavior, Fremont Public Schools, five years
Family: Girlfriend Alex Filipowicz; dog, Teddy, he's been a school therapy dog for five years
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
My mother, Kim, who taught special education and was a school counselor.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Getting to know students, staff and the community of Blair.
What is something people might not know about you?
I am a big Minnesota Vikings fan.
Position: High school science – biology, anatomy/physiology, forensics
Hometown: Blair
Residence: Blair
Education: UNO undergrad in biology and UNO bachelor's in secondary education, currently at UNK for grad school in biology
Previous teaching: Elkhorn
Family: Golden retriever puppy, Maizey
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
Growing up with a mom who is a teacher and many of the teachers I had in my education at BCS who inspired me.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Being back in the community and working to mesh my passion of working with kids and the science field.
What is something people might not know about you?
I worked in a research lab in college and discovered a novel virus that has the potential to be used in treating antibiotic resistant infections.
Position: Fourth grade
Hometown: Blair
Residence: Blair
Education: UNO, undergrade in 2000, master's in administration and supervision in 2007
Previous teaching: Five years in OPS as a sixth grade teacher, 15 years at Skyline Elementary in Elkhorn in fourth and fifth grade
Family: Husband, Troy; children, Lydia, Abby and Izzy
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Being able to give back to the community that I grew up in.
What is something people might not know about you?
Two of my girls had severe soccer injuries that required surgeries on the same day.
Position: Arbor Park Instructional Coach
Hometown: Omaha
Residence: Omaha
Education: Bachelor's in elementary education from Hastings College, master's in literacy from Concordia, master's in leadership in teaching and learning, endorsements in early childhood (Creighton), ESL (Concordia), reading specialist (Concordia), principal/administration (UNK)
Previous teaching: Omaha Public Schools – second grade for three years, third grade for 12 years, science instructional coach, six years
Family: Black lab/golden retriever named Thunder
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I am passionate about learning and enjoy helping others learn.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Getting to know everyone in Blair and supporting the teachers at Arbor Park.
What is something people might not know about you?
I love science and being in nature.
Position: Preschool at Deerfield
Hometown: Elkhorn
Residence: Blair
Education: CSM undergraduate, early childhood education with special education minor
Previous teaching: Sarpy County Head Start, early head start teacher, 1 year, Papillion
Family: A majority of my family is in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I had teachers who made an impact in my life and I would like to do that to the next generation.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
Meeting the kids and parents, having a fresh start to my career
What is something people might not know about you?
I've always loved music. I was involved with band and choir in middle school and high school, so I hope to incorporate a lot of music into my classroom.
Position: School psychologist at Otte Blair Middle School and Blair High School
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Residence: Elkhorn
Education: PhD in school psychology from Duquesne University, bachelor's in psychology from LaRoche University
Previous jobs: Fort Campbell Schools, DC West Community Schools
Family: Husband, Jason
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I originally planned to be a secondary math teacher, but wanted to impact students outside of the classroom. School psychology seemed the perfect way to do that.
What are you looking forward to the school year?
Getting to know the staff and students in Blair.
What is something people might not know about you?
My favorite holiday is Groundhog Day!
Position: Special education K-2, alternate curriculum
Hometown: Marshfield, Wis.
Residence: Fremont
Education: Undergraduate-Special and Elementary Education; Concordia University Wisconsin
Previous teaching: Kewaskum School District and Menasha Joint School District (both in Wisconsin, both special. education positions)
Family: Dog, Whiskers. He's a husky/shepherd mix! I am close to my parents and two younger brothers.
Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or go into education?
I have always loved working and interacting with children. In high school, I used to love helping my teachers with lessons! My mom was also a teacher and is now a principal, and I used to love helping her set up her classroom. I used to work at a daycare, and that solidified that I wanted to work with children. My amazing brother Andrew, who has autism, is my inspiration to focus on special education.
What are you looking forward to about the school year?
I am very excited to join the Blair family! I can tell this is a special district, with amazing students, teachers, and families. I have been so impressed with the kindness and teamwork I have encountered since joining the district!
What is something people might not know about you?
I love animals! If you ever want to talk about pets or just talk about animal facts in general, I am all for it! I am also brand new to Nebraska! I moved here from Wisconsin in the spring. I am loving it here, but I am still a Packers fan!
