Following the loss of six staff members at the end of the 2024-25 school year due to various reasons, and with the growing student population, the school has welcomed 17 new staff members this year. This includes a new Athletic Director, 11 teachers and five support staff members. Some are fresh out of college, while others have years of experience behind them and come from a variety of schools and districts.
“This group has already begun to make a positive impact on our students, our school culture and the broader school community,” principal Chad Jepsen said. “I believe their contributions at Gretna East will only increase moving forward.”
With that, the Wingspan staff would like to introduce Gretna East’s new staff members:
Years in Education: 8
Years in GPS: 3
Previous Experience: 5 years at Elkhorn High School and 2 years at Gretna Middle School
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Master’s Degree in English at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I’m proud to be a Griffin because the community is so strong. I’ve felt incredibly welcomed by both staff and students, and I value the high expectations for excellence from everyone.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are my family, my dog and travelling, especially to Walt Disney World with my family.”
Years in Education: 30
Years in GPS: 1
Previous Experience: Kearney Public Schools (3), Bellevue Public Schools (13), Midland University (1), Creighton University (4), Hillsdale College (3), Northwest Public Schools (5)
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education, physical education and coaching from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Doane University
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because of the strong culture at GEHS and the unique combination of a smaller school feel within a large, impressive school.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are my family, athletics, activities and spending time outdoors.”
Years in Education: 25
Years in GPS: 15
Previous Experience: 14 years teaching at Whitetail Creek Elementary, 10 years as a paraprofessional educator at many different schools
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and K-12 Special Education, Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Education from Doane University
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because the culture at Gretna East is phenomenal and the facilities are truly incredible.”
What are three of your favourite things?
Three things I love are my family, all things ocean-related (water, wildlife, etc.) and movies.”
Years in Education: 5
Years in GPS: 5
Previous Experience: 1 year teaching at Gretna Middle School, 3 years as a paraprofessional at Palisade Elementary.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I’m proud to be a Griffin because my coworkers and the students are so welcoming and eager to lend a hand. Coming into a new building can be intimidating, even for teachers, but it’s much easier when the people you interact with every day are genuine and want to see you succeed.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are being a Griffin, being married to my husband of 3 years and spending time with my
dogs and horses.”
Years in Education: 24
Years in GPS: 1
Previous Experience: 5 years at St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Torrington, WY and 18 Years at Scottsbluff High School in Scottsbluff, NE
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies & German Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and instruction with English as a Second Language endorsement.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because Gretna schools have been so kind and welcoming, and I value being part of a school culture that strives for excellence.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are my family, nature and Jesus.”
Years in Education: 7
Years in GPS: 2
Previous Experience: 5 years teaching art and pottery at Burke High School, 1 year teaching 8th-grade English at Gretna Middle School.
Education: Graduated from Doane University with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I’m proud to be a Griffin because I get to be part of a school that supports both students and staff with such a positive environment.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are Diet Coke, creating art and spending time with my family.”
Years in Education: 16
Years in GPS: 6
Previous Experience: Taught in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Lincoln, Nebraska; and later at Westside High School in Omaha. Served as Dean of Students at North High School and Buffett Middle School in Omaha Public Schools, before returning to the classroom in 2020 to accept an eighth-grade Reading position at Gretna Middle School.
Education: Bachelor’s in Secondary Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Master’s Degree in educational leadership from the University of Sioux Falls and Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because, much like the mythic creature itself, students at Gretna East embody strength and possibility, even as they continue to discover those qualities within themselves. I believe every student is capable of growth, not only in skill but in wisdom and self-understanding, and to be a Griffin means walking alongside young people as they face challenges, sometimes stumbling, soaring and learning from both the difficult and beautiful moments that shape their stories.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are my family (including my two daughters, ages eight and six), white water rafting and watching Hard Knocks.”
Years in Education: 1
Years in GPS: 1
Previous Experience: Student teacher in Millard.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in science education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because I get to be part of a school community with a strong sense of purpose and a drive for success.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are chips and queso, the colour green and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”
Years in Education: 10
Years in GPS: 2
Previous Experience: 4 years of doing Security for OPS, 4 years doing Special Education for Bellevue Public Schools and 1 year doing Special Education for Gretna Public Schools.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I have truly found my calling working with special needs students and already love being part of Gretna East High School. I look forward to continuing this journey and working with you all.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Serving and protecting others, creativity and working with special needs students.”
Years in Education: 3
Years in GPS: 1
Previous Experience: spent a year as a student teaching K–12, worked as a Special Ed long-term sub and in other subbing roles and taught in Spain for a year.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in spanish, Bachelor’s Degree in k-12 education from the University of South Dakota.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“This school is full of amazing people. From the students to staff to admin, everyone has been so welcoming and great to be around.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“I absolutely love travelling, sunsets and iced coffee.”
Years in Education: 7
Years in GPS: 1
Previous Experience: 6 years at Bellevue West.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Master’s Degree from Peru State University in Curriculum and Instruction.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because it is a great community with great people.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are golf, sports and BBQ.”
Years in Education: 18
Years in GPS: 10
Previous Experience: 10 years at Gretna Middle School, 7 in Omaha Public Schools.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Master’s Degree in History from Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I’m proud to be a Griffin because of the dedication of the administrators and faculty to providing the best possible experience for our students.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are golf, the Chicago Cubs and the Beastie Boys.”
Years in Education: 15
Years in GPS: 8
Previous Experience: 7 years at Gretna, 7 years at Skutt and Louisville.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Master’s Degree in Education from the College of St. Mary and Master of Business Administration from Wayne State College.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because the expectations are high here, and the students do an awesome job of meeting and surpassing those expectations.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are dogs, sunny warm weather and teaching.”
Years in Education: 9
Years in GPS: 1
Previous Experience: Natrona County Schools in Wyoming, Lincoln Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Creighton University, Education Specialist in School Psychology, University of South Dakota.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because it feels like a truly caring school community, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are my dog, chocolate and all things cozy.”
Years in Education: 11
Years in GPS: 7
Previous Experience: 2 years at Manhattan HS, 2 years at Roncalli, 6 years at Gretna High.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Math Education at the University of Missouri Northwest at Maryville, Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction at Peru State College.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I’m proud to be a Griffin because the staff members work hard every day to help students succeed.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are my family, travelling and cheering on the KC Chiefs.
Years in Education: 1
Years in GPS: 1
Previous Experience: subbed for GPS
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health. Currently working as a Behaviour Technician while enrolled in the Accelerated Master of Science Special Education Program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Why are you proud to be a Griffin?
“I am proud to be a Griffin because I want to advocate for the importance of inclusion for all students.”
What are three of your favourite things?
“Three things I love are mashed potatoes, Halloween and my two kids, Gracynn and Nash.”
NOTE: All images for this story were submitted by the staff members, other than Ackerman, Fritsche, Grossman and Krebbs, which were taken by the Gretna East Media staff.