Meet the teachers

When students returned to school Aug. 13, they were greeted by new faces in the classroom.

Four staff members are based at the Summerland - Clearwater site: Whitney Beacom, Jacob Birch, Jayde Haburchak and Scott Kraus.

Tabetha Frank and Heidi Nelson are instructors at the Summerland - Ewing site.

Here’s a look at new teachers joining the district in 2020-2021:

Whitney Beacom

Sixth grade - Clearwater

Hometown:

Born in Fremont

Residence:

Neligh

Education:

Received Bachelor of Science degree in May 2020 from Wayne State College, elementary education K-8 and special education generalist K-6

Family: Ron Beacom (father), Jill Beacom (mother), Simon (younger brother), fiancé, Connor Bentley

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a second-grade student. My primary elementary teachers were some of the best. The passion grew when my upper elementary educators engaged all learners with many activities. When learning about the wars, as a fifth grader, I got to try hardtack, which was what soldiers ate in hard times!

What are you most looking forward to about the school year?

I am most looking forward to building relationships around the building. I love connecting with students and other educators. I am also looking to grow as an educator.

Do you assist with any extra-curricular activities?

I will be assisting with junior high girl’s basketball in the winter.

What is one thing about you that may surprise others?

My favorite animal is a panda. I love how cuddly and calm they appear to be!

Jacob Birch

Mathematics - Clearwater

Hometown:

Burwell

Residence:

O’Neill

Education:

I went to Burwell for K-12. Undergraduate college at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Family:

Wife, Danielle; daughter, Brooklyn

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

My awesome teachers inspired me to want to teach.

What are you most looking forward to about the school year?

I am looking forward to being back to in-person learning.

Do you assist with any extra-curricular activities?

Assistant high school boys basketball.

What is one thing about you that may surprise others?

I have a double-jointed elbow.

Tabetha Frank

Sixth grade - Ewing

Hometown:

I‘m originally from Beatrice.

Residence:

I currently live near Royal with my husband, Justin.

Education:

I attended Peru State College, where I earned a degree in elementary education, early childhood education and early childhood special education. I continued at Peru to receive my Masters’ degree in curriculum and instruction. I taught in Beatrice for five years before accepting this position.

Family:

Husband - Justin

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

My want to help children better themselves inspired me to become a teacher.

What are you most looking forward to about the school year?

This school year I am just looking forward to being in the classroom again after having six months out of the school setting because of COVID. It is exciting to hear the sound of young voices throughout the halls.

Do you assist with any extra-curricular activities?

No

What is one thing about you that may surprise others?

I love anything that has to do with a craft, so I’m constantly finding a new hobby!

Scott Kraus

Physical education - Clearwater

Hometown:

Hyannis

Residence:

I currently live in Ewing.

Education:

I graduated high school from Hyannis, attended Wayne State for two years and finished my degree at Kearney.

Family:

I have been married for five years to Kelly Kraus. We have a 2 1/2 year-old son, Stanley, and we are expecting our second in December.

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

Teaching is a family thing. I have several aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters and my brother who are teachers. So it just felt like the right decision to go into, plus, I have always enjoyed helping others succeed. I also enjoy the coaching aspect as well. Plus, one day I will get to teach and coach my kids, like my dad got to with me.

What are you most looking forward to about the school year?

I was really looking forward to getting back to get into the classroom this year.

Do you assist with any extra-curricular activities?

I will be helping out with junior high football and junior high track.

What is one thing about you that may surprise others?

Our baby’s expected due date is my current son’s birthday. If I could live anywhere in the world, I would move to Alaska and be a bush pilot.

Jayde Haburchak

Fourth grade - Clearwater

Hometown:

O’Neill

Residence:

O’Neill

Education:

Graduated high school from St. Mary’s in O’Neill, received my associate’s degree from NECC and finished with a bachelor’s degree at Wayne State College, with endorsements in ESL and reading and writing.

Family:

Parents are Chad and Jolene Rosenkrans. I have five other siblings, three of which will be married (come October) and two who have kids. I live with my husband, Zach Haburchak, and we are expecting our first baby in December!

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

I was inspired to become a teacher by many of my elementary and high school teachers at St. Mary’s. They were always nurturing, sometimes strict, but they had high expectations for each of us, and I hold many of those same standards for myself today.

What are you most looking forward to about the school year?

I am looking forward to developing a relationship with each of my students, as I have seen each of them grow already in a week and a half!

Do you assist with any extra-curricular activities?

I do not.

What is one thing about you that may surprise others?

I am a hunter, and if anyone knows me, my family or my husband’s family--I shoot big deer and am proud of it!

Heidi Nelson

Music - Ewing

Hometown:

Plainview

Residence:

Plainvew

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in K-12 instrumental/vocal music from Wayne State College in Wayne

Family:

My family includes my parents, Keith and Maribeth; my siblings, Holli, Cameron, and Connor and my fiancé, KJ Verhage.

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

My band teacher in high school inspired me to be a teacher because of her love for music and the relationships that she built with her students.

What are you most looking forward to about the school year?

I am most looking forward to getting to know my students and building relationships with them. I am also looking foward to being in the classroom again because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Do you assist with any extra-curricular activities?

I assist with high school and junior high band and choir and I am also eighth grade class sponsor.

What is one thing about you that may surprise others?

I really like to travel across the United States and I can’t wait to travel to different parts of the world.