ESU 5 - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Special Education Secretary
Job Titles:
- Spanish Teacher
- Spanish Teacher / Professional Development
Amy Wiedel has been a member of ESU 5 since August of 2021. As a Spanish Teacher, Amy hopes to inspire students to grow in their love for the Spanish language and culture. She believes in creating self-sufficient and confident learners through the implementation of many activities using the best practices for world languages and the use of technology.
When Amy is not teaching, she loves to spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys playing volleyball, camping, and traveling. Amy lives in Hebron, Nebraska with her husband, Curtis, and their 4 children, Olivia, Atlie, Emerie, and Axel. Their children attend Thayer Central Community Schools. She is excited to be a part of ESU 5 and grow in her online teaching skills.
Job Titles:
- Director of Alternative Programs
- Professional Development Consultant
Brittany Andrews has been a member of ESU 5 since August of 2020. She is a Spanish teacher who helps students better understand the importance of learning languages and connecting with others. Through her knowledge and experience, she enjoys being challenged to incorporate new instructional practices and find ways to better engage the students.
When Brittany is not working, she loves to be outside hiking, kayaking or paddle boarding. She tends to go on quick road trips to the beautiful national parks within the United States. She lives in Omaha and has discovered a variety of eclectic music and a fond appreciation for crime podcasts on her drive to and from Beatrice.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Therapist
- Member of the ESU 5 Staff
Cami Hallowell has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since 2021. Cami is an occupational therapist who works with children and students from 3 to 21 years of age. In the schools, she work with teachers, students, and team members to increase students' independence, participation, and success in their academic environments by targeting fine motor skills, visual motor skills, social participation, self-care skills, and transition/ work skills. When Cami is not working, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, coaching gymnastics, traveling, crafting and making party decorations, and watching a lot of football!
Job Titles:
- Early Childhood Special Educator Service Coordinator
Christina Schroeder has been a member of ESU 5 since August of 2020. As Spanish Teacher, Christina works with students to develop a love for different languages and cultures. Christina is especially interested in creating empowered learners among her students through the use of technology and comprehensible input teaching strategies.
When Christina is not working, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read, garden, shop and scrapbook. Christina has lived in the Beatrice community for a year and a half and has really enjoyed getting to know people and exploring the area. Christina has a senior at Beatrice High School and a 3rd grader at St. Joes' Catholic School.
Job Titles:
- Technology Specialist
- Member of the ESU Staff
David Camara has been a member of the ESU staff since August 2016. David is a Technology Specialist, who works with school districts. Providing support for Technology systems to include computers, servers, printers, and other devices to ensure they function properly for current and future needs. David is particularly interested in Computer Hardware, Virtualization, and Networking.
When not working, David enjoys hiking, building computers, learning new technology systems, and playing video games.
Job Titles:
- Para - Educator - Alternative Education
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Member of the ESU 5 Staff
Dr. Brenda McNiff has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since 2002 at which time she was hired as the transition specialist. In 2007, Dr. McNiff took on the role of professional development consultant and ILCD (Individual Learning for Children with Disabilities) coordinator; in 2008 she became the assistant director of special education and then the director of special education. In 2016, she was hired as the Administrator of ESU 5. As an administrator, Dr. McNiff works closely with the 10-member school districts, the ESU 5 board, staff, and the communities ESU 5 serves to promote excellence in educational services and leadership.
Previous to ESU 5, Brenda worked as a social studies teacher, guidance counselor and principal in Iowa. When not working, Brenda enjoys time with her husband and two sons, Husker football, painting, and gardening.
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Education
- Member of the ESU Staff
Dr. Matt McNiff has been a member of the ESU staff since 2006. From 2006 until 2016, Dr. McNiff was the behavior consultant for ESU 5 and in 2016, he became the director of special education. As the director of special education, Dr. McNiff works with the ESU 5 schools to assist in supervising and developing special education programming for children with disabilities from ages birth through 21. Matt has a particular interest in the field of behavior disorders, autism, and children with more profound disorders. When not working, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, writing, watching movies, and seeing good theater productions.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESU Staff
- Technology Integration Specialist / World Language Coordinator
Dr. Nick Ziegler has been a member of the ESU staff since 2011, when he was hired as a Spanish Teacher. Then in 2012, Nick transitioned to Technology Integration Specialist. In this role, Nick works with ESU 5 area educators and administrators to enhance teaching and learning with technology. Nick is involved in multiple statewide initiatives directly impacting ESU 5 districts including the statewide BlendEd Pilot and the Future Ready Nebraska Framework. In 2019, Nick added the role of World Language Coordinator, overseeing ESU 5's Chinese and Spanish Distance Learning Program. When not working, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESU 5 Staff
- Transition Specialist / 504 Coordinator
Jamie Thavenet has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since June 2005. Jamie is the transition specialist. She works with students to explore scholastic goals and career opportunities after graduation. Jamie also assists families in accessing post- graduation services within the community that are deemed appropriate for their child. Jamie assists teachers by helping them establish transition programs and helps them with career and life skills assessments for their students. As the 504 coordinator, Jamie will be assisting schools in addressing Section 504 compliance regulations and program development. Jamie lives in Beatrice with her husband and 3 daughters.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Treasurer of the Board
- Member of the ESU 5 Staff
Jan Reimer has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since 1992. Jan is the Business Manager and Board Treasurer. As Business Manager, Jan is responsible for human resources, payroll, monthly processing of receipts and disbursements and budget preparation. As Board Treasurer, Jan prepares the monthly financial statements to present to the Board. Jan enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, the outdoors, playing piano, reading and baking.
Jason has been a member of ESU 5 since July of 2020. As a Technology Specialist, Jason has assumed the position of Technology Director at Meridian Public Schools and Bruning-Davenport United School District.
Job Titles:
- Director of Mental Health and Wellness / Psychotherapist
Job Titles:
- Services Coordinator for Early Development Network
Jesse has been a member of ESU 5 since July of 2020. Jesse is an Early Development Network Services Coordinator who helps families of children with special needs from birth to age 3. Jesse's duties include finding services to meet developmental, educational, financial, healthcare, respite care, and other needs. Jesse connects families with needed services and works with multiple providers to ensure services are provided to the children and families. Jesse works with families to help them become able to coordinate their own services in the future. Jesse is particularly interested in empowering parents to be the best advocate they can be for their children. Jesse also is an assistant manager at the Beatrice Country Club. When Jesse is not working she enjoys spending time with her four legged dog child, family and friends, golfing new courses, helping out with children's events at church, taking care of the many house plants and outdoor flowers, and spending time at Hobby Lobby.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Therapist
- Member of the ESU 5 Staff
Jessica Shepler has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since September 2021 as an Occupational Therapist. Jessica is an occupational therapist who works with children and students from birth to 21 years of age. Jessica Is particularly interested in early intervention services working with children who have developmental delays or specific health conditions. Jessica teaches families and caregivers using play-based activities to support their infant or toddlers with development and or/adapt the activity and environment to accommodate a child or family's specific needs. In the school setting, Jessica works with students, teachers, and staff on addressing fine motor, visual-motor skills, engagement, and self-regulation. When not working, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and their two girls, exercising, shopping and being outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Job Titles:
- Professional Development Consultant
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESU 5 Staff
Joseba Mooreno has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since 2022. Joseba will be teaching Spanish virtually to students in various districts across the state. When not working, Joseba enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife. Joseba also enjoys playing racquet sports throughout the year.
I have been working for ESU 5 since August 2001. An Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) works with individuals to identify and treat physical, psychological and social/emotional difficulties through meaningful activities. As an educationally based Occupational Therapist for ESU 5, I work with individuals ranging from birth to 21 years, focusing specifically on fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual and sensory integration skills. Through play-based and activity-based programs, we work to assist learners and their parents to achieve success in areas with which they struggle, through meaningful tasks and activities. The ultimate goal for me as a therapist is to aide others in achieving their highest level of independence, with both mind and body. I graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy - Magna Cum Laude.
I have been married to my wife Maggie for 11 years and we have been blessed with two healthy children. David, 7, is a second grader at Thayer Central, and Nellie, 4, is a preschooler at Thayer Central. Maggie works as a Physician Assistant (PA-C) at Thayer Central Health Services in Hebron, NE, and I work in multiple school districts throughout Thayer and Jefferson counties. Our family prides itself in spending as much time as possible with each other, with most weekends filled with extended family activities. Maggie and I began building our log home one month after we were married and have performed nearly all of the labor (with the help of family). If I am not planting trees or building new accommodations for our ever-growing heard of animals (chickens, ducks, dog, cat and soon horses) on our acreage, I am usually at a fire or rescue call, as I am the Assistant Chief of Hebron Fire and Rescue. I also work as a part-time State Fire Marshall, specifically training others in rescue, extrication and fire suppression. When time permits, I enjoy flying (finishing my private pilot's license) and all things mechanical (with many started, but no completed muscle car restorations). I have yet to find a hobby that I don't enjoy and recently Maggie and I began scuba dive/rescue training. I personally feel that everyday is a gift and each of us should enjoy, appreciate and live it to the fullest! Everyday, every chance we get, we should let others know how much we truly appreciate them and their unique talents.
Job Titles:
- Spanish Teacher / Curriculum Development
Job Titles:
- Mental Health Practitioner
Kim Ramirez joined the ESU 5 staff in 2022. Kim will be teaching students Spanish virtually in various districts across the state. Kim's passion is learning and hopes to never stop. Kim and her husband have two kids who keep them busy. When not working, Kim enjoys cooking authentic ethnic food (Japanese and Mexican especially), baking, gardening and using those ingredients in her cooking, paddle boarding on any body of water she can, camping, being outside in nature, listening to a wide variety of music, learning about culture and language, and traveling to new places alone and also with her family.
Job Titles:
- Speech Language Pathologist
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
Lindsey Bruna has been a member of ESU 5 since August 2020. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Lindsey will serve the Birth-21 population via teletherapy and in-person. She will be working with the children to help develop their communication and language skills by targeting articulation, expressive and receptive language, fluency, social skills, and augmentative & alternative communication. When Lindsey is not working, she enjoys hunting, reading, playing softball, spending time with friends and family, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and Kansas State Wildcats.
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
MaryAnn has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since August 2021 as a Spanish Teacher. MaryAnn is in her 13th year as a Spanish teacher. Teaching allows her to use her creativity to teach students the languages and culture she loves. As a teacher there is nothing better than seeing her students grow and get excited about learning Spanish. MaryAnn says ESU is where Comprehensible Input strategies and technology skills are used to make teaching and learning a new language a unique experience. When not working MaryAnn loves to spend time with her family and pets. MaryAnn also enjoys cooking and baking and trying new recipes; gardening, watching movies, and taking walks. She lives just outside of Fairbury. Her husband Jeff is an Optometrist. They have 4 adult children, Joshua is currently an academic Advisor and lives in Denver. Jordan is a graduate programs recruiter. Jacob is a senior at UNO studying Architectural Engineering. Jaelle is a sophomore at UNO majoring in Journalism and media communications.
Job Titles:
- Technology Specialist
- Member of the ESU Staff
Mitch Owens has been a member of the ESU staff since 2011. Mitch is a Technology Specialist who works with ESU5 districts to assist with computer networking and technology management. Mitch has a particular interest in building and maintaining computer networks and brainstorming new technology solutions to adapt to the district environment.
When not working Mitch enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, playing video games and attending concerts.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Secretary
Job Titles:
- SNDLC Administrative Assistant Erate Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Job Titles:
- Special Education Secretary
Job Titles:
- Distance Science Instructor
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Assistant / Special Education
- Member of the ESU Staff
Peggy Crawford has been a member of the ESU staff from 1997 until 2007 then returned in 2009. Peggy assists our Professional Developers, Technology Integration Specialist and serves as the Coordinator for OdysseyWare, our online curriculum program.
When not working, Peggy enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, biking, hiking and exploring new adventures.
Job Titles:
- Director of Technology
- Member of the ESU 5 Staff
Ryan McDowell has been a member of the ESU 5 staff since 2011. Ryan is the Director of Technology who works with all ESU 5 districts and ESU 5 staff. As the Director of Technology Ryan assists schools and staff with Networking/Routing, Firewalling, Server Administration, Laptop and Desktop support, and day to day Technology troubleshooting. When not working Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, hunting, fishing, camping and just spending time in the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist and Early Childhood Coordinator
Job Titles:
- School Psychologist
- Member of the ESU Staff
Shelby Glaser has been a member of the ESU staff since August 2021. As a school psychologist, Shelby provides direct support to students, teachers and families to help problem-solve in a number of different areas. Those areas can include assisting in the improvement of academic achievement, promoting positive behavior, assessing emotional and behavioral needs, and helping to design and implement intervention strategies. When not working, Shelby likes to read, play video games, paint, needle felt and visit antique stores. Shelby recently moved to Beatrice with her finance, Alex and they adopted a kitten named Fern.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Vice President, District 2
Job Titles:
- Technology Specialist
- Member of the ESU Staff
Wade Vernon has been a member of the ESU staff since August 2021. Wade is a Technology Specialist, who works with school districts. Providing support for Technology systems to include computers, servers, printers, and other devices to ensure they function properly for current and future needs. Wade is particularly interested in Computer Hardware, Troubleshooting and Networking.
When not working, Wade enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, camping, woodworking, and gardening, and of course, video games.