Each and every role at Omaha Public Schools makes a difference for our students as we prepare them for success in college, career and life.
Our staff's dedication and ethic of care make us #OPSProud!
Staff Spotlight
Retired from a 31-year career at OPPD, Herb Childs now serves as King Elementary's security officer, promoting school safety and mentoring students through the TeamMates Mentoring Program. Building connections with each student, Childs provides support and encouragement, making a positive and lasting impact on their lives.
“I grew up two blocks from King Elementary, and I see myself in a lot of these kids. Serving these students by being a positive role model is important to me.”
Staff Spotlight
Mariana Cruz, assistant principal, Bluestem Middle
"I love that no two days are alike; Every day gives me an opportunity to check in, motivate and connect with our students, staff and families. Any time I am out in the community, I love running into former students, families and colleagues."
Staff Spotlight
Inspired by her mother's work as an educator, Katie Abbott teaches at the Integrated Learning Program, committed to the success of every student we have the opportunity to serve.
“It's important to me that my students know how much I believe in them. I want them to do their very best and be successful in society to the best of their abilities.”
Staff Spotlight
Alycia Goodlett, fifth grade teacher, Joslyn Elementary
“I enjoy walking down the halls and seeing my son or my mom. It’s a good feeling to have us all in one place.”
Joslyn Elementary secretary Brenda Goodlett (left) works with her daughter, fifth grade teacher Alycia Goodlett (center). Alycia’s son Trace (right) is also a fourth grade student at Joslyn Elementary.
Staff Spotlight
Even if a student is having a RUFF day, Gateway Elementary counselor Kelsey Buglewicz-Miller knows she and therapy dog Sammy can help. Together, they bring PAW-sitivity as they join students for reading and other classroom activities.
“One of my favorite things to observe is the peace Sammy brings to a classroom. Sammy is a natural kind of diffuser. It's really cool to watch the energy shift up or down to whatever is needed in that moment.”
Strong Leadership
Carrie Carr, Ed.D., principal, Buena Vista High
“I get to develop my teachers, I get to develop my kids, I get to develop the other staff, so I have a bigger reach than I had from the classroom perspective. It is also really powerful the impact that you can have and the reach that you can have is really significant. And I don't take it lightly, but it takes a team.”
Staff Spotlight
Rebecca Gibson, music teacher, Pinewood & Beals Elementaries
“Interpreting symbols while playing instruments or while bouncing the balls to the beat stimulates both sides of the brain. They're just having fun and participating. And then they can go back to class and focus a little better.”
Staff Spotlight
David Gugliotti combines his love of Harry Potter and holiday celebrations with a dash of fun. The cafeteria manager serves Benson West Elementary students with a meal and a good laugh.
As a parent of a North High and J.P. Lord student, Gugliotti is grateful for a career that provides a work-life balance.
"I knew it was time for a career change when my son asked why I wasn't at his games. I love working for Omaha Public Schools because it gives me more time with my family and is rewarding to be a part of the team that provides meals to our students."
Staff Spotlight
Meet Pam Davis, the librarian at Saddlebrook Elementary, who shares her love of books with students every day. From guiding them to find the perfect read to acting out characters in stories, Ms. Davis creates a fun and interactive learning environment. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she's thrilled to continue inspiring young minds through the magic of literature.
“I’ve been going to school every year since I was five years old. I can’t imagine a day spent without being at school and teaching students.”
Staff Spotlight
Gilder Elementary's Donna Halford teaches third and fourth grade at the same school she once attended. She's grateful to serve alongside those who inspired her educational journey.
"I grew up in this area. I can relate to my students and families on a different level. It’s been great reconnecting with my classmates back in the same classrooms we attended together.”
Staff Spotlight
Mimi Harvey, DVM, (Left, pictured with Taylor Cooper), industrial technology teachers and FFA advisors, Bryan High
“I love the unique opportunities students get to explore through FFA. I guarantee my students are going to stand out on their college essays when they say they have judged a cattle show.”
Staff Spotlight
Allison Kartanas Ostapowicz attended Buffett Middle as a student. Now, she's supporting seventh graders as a language arts teacher. Her teachers inspired her to become an educator, and she hopes to do the same with her students
“I tell students I have literally sat where they are. Maybe one day one of my students will return to Buffett Middle to be a teacher like me.”
Staff Spotlight
Buena Vista High counselor Sydney Kyser is praising her high school counselor, who inspired her to pursue a career in education.
“My high school counselor talked about how exciting it was to help students seek opportunities. So, I thought this would be really rewarding. It’s the best job in the world.”
Award-Winning Staff
Danielle Laurion, dance teacher, South High
“I want my students to feel like a self-assured young adult who can navigate the world. Dancing teaches them how to creatively problem solve, work in a group, take feedback, ask questions and advocate for themselves.”
South High teacher Danielle Laurion received the K-12 Dance Educator Award from the National Dance Society.
Staff Spotlight
Nicole McWilliams started her career with Omaha Public Schools at Pinewood Elementary. From there, she served on nutrition services teams at Mount View Elementary, McMillan Middle and Kennedy Elementary. McWilliams is now cafeteria manager at King Science & Technology Middle.
"What I enjoy most about my job is seeing the kids. I like to try to put a smile on their faces by telling them good morning, thank you for coming to breakfast, and that I appreciate them."
Strong Leadership
Maria Perez-Mozaz, principal, Liberty Elementary
“Little by little, what I want to build is a place where the parents or families come and they learn how to help their kids grow as people and academically. So we need to create a space that the whole family is welcome, not just the mom or just the grandma or just the dad or the grandpa, but everyone that is in the family.”
Award-Winning Staff
Diedra Reeves received the Nebraska School Psychologist Association (NSPA) Award as Outstanding School Psychology Student from the University of Nebraska Omaha. We are lucky to have her as part of our school psychology team at both Sunny Slope Elementary and Field Club Elementary.
Staff Spotlight
Meet Angela Rice, our dedicated education technician at the transportation center. She's an essential part of ensuring safe and efficient transportation.
"Transportation is like a big machine that takes many people to run. I enjoy being a part of ensuring our students are transported safely and efficiently to and from school.”
Award-Winning Staff
Kurt Sage, cafeteria manager, Burke High
“I want to make a difference in kids’ lives. Whether that be from the foods they eat to the choices they make beyond high school.”
Burke High, led by cafeteria manager Kurt Sage, took the top prize in the 600+ student category of the Nebraska School Breakfast Challenge 2024 during National School Breakfast Week.
Staff Spotlight
Kindergarten teacher Kristin Schutte not only inspires her students to learn but also serves as a platoon leader in the Nebraska Army National Guard. Balancing both roles, she brings leadership and life lessons to her classroom at Bancroft Elementary.
“The military is something I do one weekend each month. Being a kindergarten teacher is what I feel I'm supposed to be doing every day. The similarities are leading people, learning what they need and helping them be successful.”
Staff Spotlight
Hale Middle social studies teacher Rebecca Siert enhances classroom engagement and academic success by making meaningful connections with students. She greets them with a smile each day and enjoys participating in extracurricular activities.
“I love going to games and watching them play on the court or on the field. I want them to know I support them, care about them and want them to be successful.”
Strong Leadership
Shaneice Udofia, principal, Belvedere Elementary
“Joy is the foundation of everything. So if you're doing something that you like and loving the people that you want to come to work with, then that's going to help you build those relationships and want to come to work and stay at a place that you're happy at.”
Staff Spotlight
Barbara Teets, student placement administrator and mentor, Teacher Administrative Center (pictured with mentee Paw Eh)
“Mentoring is very rewarding because you know you're making a difference in a child's life. It's been so fun to see this curious, smart and talented child growing up into a young adult.”
Staff Spotlight
Sixth grade Walnut Hill Elementary teacher Brianna Templeton is on a mission to ignite her students' love for reading because she knows that literacy is the foundation of success.
“My biggest goal is to find strategies that I can implement in my lessons to help my students improve their love for literacy. I want them to enjoy reading and not just do it because they are required.”
Staff Spotlight
Music teacher Judi Unger is a maestro of music at Bluestem Middle. Drawing from her experience as an opera singer, she connects students with live performances to enrich their musical journey.
“Music has always been a part of my life. I love sharing my musical background with my students and connecting them to community opportunities.”