Colleen Aagesen
Monroe Middle School
Reading
Colleen Aagesen has been with OPS for 29 years, the last nine at Monroe.  A native of Des Moines, Iowa she has a B.S. from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and an M.S. from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.  An admirer wrote: “She has spread the love of Shakespearean literature by heading the Drama Department and putting on at least two plays per year.  This enables the students to not only explore the works of William Shakespeare but also instills a love of theater in them as well.  Colleen is always an optimistic, praise-giving encourager whether she is dealing with students, her fellow teachers, or any person of any age.”  A former student said: “I received so many treasures from Ms. Aagesen that I am not sure where to begin, and my debt to her is unpayable.  She instilled in me a deep and insatiable love of reading that has carried me into my career today.” 

Kim Cooper
North High
Art
Kim Cooper has been with OPS for 31 years, 30 of them at North High School.  He is from Omaha and has a B.S. from Dana College.  A former student wrote: “Mr. Cooper is a one of a kind mentor and he has taught me to view the beauty and detail in everything I see.  This concept has remained with me ever since, not just in art but throughout my life.”   Another said: “Mr. Cooper encouraged me to think outside of the box, moving from drawing to painting, both watercolor and acrylic.  While I started out as a shy and quiet student in school, his classes fostered a greater level of self-confidence in me that blossomed in my first year of college as an art major.”

Matthew Geerts
Lewis & Clark
Middle
Matthew Geerts has been with OPS for three years, all of them at Lewis & Clark middle school.  A native of Davenport, Iowa he has a B.A. from Luther College.  A student wrote: “He makes teaching fun.  He takes a boring history topic and turns it into a worthwhile learning experience.  I look up to him as more than a teacher, but as a friend.  I can talk to him about anything, from girl problems to troubles at home and he’s right there helping me.”  Another said: “He works so hard to make his class the best class and the most educational class in the whole school.  He is the type of teacher that makes all of his lessons fun and exciting.  Not many teachers can do that and at the same time make us learn something about the subject.”

John Gibson
Central High
English
John Gibson has been with OPS for nine years, all of them at Central High.  He previously taught in the Council Bluffs School District for 25 years. He has a B.S.E. from the University of South Dakota and an M.A. from Roosevelt University.   Mr. Gibson is from Oak Park, IL.  A former student said: “Mr. Gibson has a fascinating ability to find a place for every student in the theater, no matter what their talent level.  He also cares about students as people.  I learned just as much if not more about life in general as I did theater.  I’ve shared many laughs and many tears with one of my most beloved former teachers, Mr. Gibson.”  Another said: “John Gibson is not only one of the most influential teachers one could ever have, but one of the most inspiring individuals I have ever met.  He changed my life for the better.”

Amanda Gilmore
Columbian Elementary
First Grade
Amanda Gilmore has been with OPS for 23 years, 15 of them at  Columbian.   She has a B.S. from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.  Ms. Gilmore is from Sydney, Australia.  A parent said: “Ms. Gilmore has a way of making a shy quiet child just blossom in the classroom.  She comes up with creative ways to teach the children.”  Another wrote: “Mrs. Gilmore takes great joy in celebrating the accomplishments of her students.  She is upbeat and positive, focusing on how a student did well, not how well she taught.  She has positively changed our daughter’s life by helping her to realize her potential, instilling an attitude of self confidence, helping her to grow as an individual, and helping her to discover new talents, skills and abilities.”

Linda Hankins
Gilder Elementary
Kindergarten
Linda Hankins has spent her entire 20 year career with OPS at Gilder.  She previously taught in several other school districts for 16 years.  She has a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin and an M.S. from East New Mexico University.  Ms. Hankins is from St. Charles, Illinois.  A parent said: “Mrs. Hankins is a better teacher than I ever could have wished for my child.  She goes above and beyond what is expected of her on a daily basis, and she obviously loves what she does.”  Another parent said: “She launched my daughter on her academic career.  I am so grateful.  I’ve watched each child enter her room a little timid, a little afraid of the ‘institution’ to which they have been entrusted.  I’ve watched each one grow and develop and emerge from her classroom eager to go to school, excited about what they are doing, more confident of their abilities and the ‘institution,’ and respectful of their classmates and ready to learn more.”

Myra Hudson
Miller Park Elementary
Fifth Grade
Myra Hudson has been with OPS for eight years, all at Miller Park.  An Omaha native she has a B.S. from the College of St. Mary.  A colleague wrote: “I have seen how hard she has worked with her students that were not on grade level.  She took time to help them after school.  There is a special relationship between Ms. Hudson and the students here at Miller Park.  She interacts with her students on their level but they know when she means business.  She has high expectations for the students to succeed.”  Another said: “Myra tutors her students.  She is one of the first teachers in the building every day and one of the last to leave.  She understands that many of her students have needs that must be met before they can learn.  She does everything in her power to help them but she teaches them to persevere anyway.”

Cheryl Hurley
Fullerton Elementary
Kindergarten
Cheryl Hurley has been with OPS for 30 years, the last ten at Fullerton.  She has a B.S. from Illinois State University and a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.  Ms. Hurley is from Decatur, Illinois.  A parent said: “She has a great sense of humor and a love for reading and learning.  Not only has she taught my daughter the basics for kindergarten – reading, writing and math – but also how to be an honest, sincere, caring and happy person.”  A colleague wrote: “Cheryl Hurley is the teacher that you have as a student and remember for a lifetime.  Her patience, enthusiasm, creativity and love are what make her the most perfect kindergarten teacher.” 

Kelly Karkosky
Oak Valley Elementary
Special Education
Kelly Karkosky has been with OPS for 26 years OPS, all of them at Oak Valley.  She has a B.S. from Kearney State College and an  M.S. from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.  Ms. Karkosky is from St. Louis, Missouri.  An admirer wrote: “Kelly Karkosky is by far the most outstanding teacher of children who have multiple and severe handicaps.  She is able to take these students and instill a spirit of ‘I can’ in them that is remarkable.  They learn to believe in themselves when most educators would give up on them.”  A colleague said: “There are many great qualities about Kelly and her teaching abilities.  She cares and loves her students so much and gives them every opportunity to succeed in every way.  Each special ed student needs different ways of teaching and Kelly accommodates each student.”

Renee McMains
King Science Center
Science
Renee McMains has been at King Science Center for all of her eight year career with OPS.   A Pennsylvania native, she has a B.S. from the University  of Miami.   A former student wrote: “Mrs. McMains has helped students in ways that you can’t imagine.  She has boosted students’ low morale to an all time high.  The simple attributes of nice, kind and special are not good enough to describe this special person.  Words like sacrifice, commitment, encouragement would be more like it.  She has taken the words care and concern to the next level.”  A parent said: “Ms. McMains has had a profound impact on my son.  Her enthusiasm for her subject, especially biology, is unmatched in my experience.  She challenges students to excel in school and encourages them to explore the science in their lives.”

Deborah Mosier
Catlin Elementary
Music
Deborah Mosier has been with OPS for nine years, the last six at Catlin.  She previously taught in the Millard Public Schools for ten years and in Bennington for 17 years.   A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa she has a B.S. from Peru State College.  A colleague wrote: “Mrs. Mosier recognizes that many of our students would not have musical opportunities if not for our school curriculum and programming.  She is creative and daring and always looking for new ways to engage the students with music.  There is no doubt that any student that has learned from Mrs. Mosier will remember her and her love of music.”  A parent said: “From the very beginning she makes music fun and exciting.  Her ability to inspire creativity is amazing.  Deb is patient and supportive while being challenging and directive.  I could not ask for a better music teacher for my children than Deb Mosier.”

Elizabeth Preston
Miller Park
Fifth Grade
Elizabeth Preston has been with OPS For 11 years, the last three at Miller Park.  She has a B.S. from the Sioux Falls College and is from Pierre, South Dakota.  An admirer wrote: “Liz Preston makes her students’ lives richer by being their teacher.  She has taken children that could barely read at a second grade level in the beginning of the year and gotten their level to beyond the requirement for fifth grade by the end of the year.  This is a recurring event in her class each and every year that she rises to the challenge and successfully overcomes.”  Another said: “She treats all people with respect and dignity.  It does not matter what age they are or what their background is.  In interacting with her students she instills a feeling of self-worth, letting them know they can set goals and achieve those goals.  Each student is to her a valuable member of society.  She achieves this by reaching out and by setting an example with compassion, humor and love.”

Charles Thomas
Walnut Hill Elementary
Fifth Grade
Charles Thomas has been with OPS for 11 years, all of them at Walnut Hill.  He has a B.S. from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.  Mr. Thomas is from Birmingham, Alabama.  An admirer wrote: “I have seen many young people starving for attention in the classroom.  This teacher somehow finds a way to be attentive to each of his students.  From the first day of school he learns each of their personalities and is able to bring the best out of them.  He provides nutrients for their minds and hearts.”  A grandparent said: “Mr. Charles Thomas is not only a teacher, he is a role model and friend for our young children.  In or outside of the classroom he disciplines or compliments them when it is necessary.  He strives to motivate, especially, our young men to stay positive.  He has an open door policy for his students and their parents.  He is a role model, mentor, and friend not only to my child but to all young people that he has come in contact with.”

Jennifer Thompson
Rose Hill Elementary
Special Education
Jennifer Thompson has been with OPS for 11 years, the last seven at Rose Hill.  A native of Omaha, she has a B.S. and an M.S. from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.  A colleague wrote:  “Mrs. Thompson’s students have a variety of challenges.  She is very practical, calm and consistent and very proactive in helping students understand how to handle their feelings and make good choices.”  An admirer said: “Mrs. Thompson believes in her students, is driven to see them succeed and instills the importance of success.  She not only encourages her students in the classroom but outside the classroom as well, cheering on students on the ball fields at after school events.”