Administration
Fr. Eric Olsen
Activities: Spiritual Direction
Subject: Theology 10
In education since: 2002
At St. Francis since: 2019
Hometown: Fort Calhoun, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness to our students.
Jennifer Dunn
Activities: Student Council
In education since: 2001
At St. Francis since: 2010
Hometown: Bartlett, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Being in an environment where students’ lives of faith are grown and developed – in turn, my life of faith has been strengthened.
Principal – Jennifer Dunn
Melissa Braun
Subjects: K-12 Guidance
In education since: 2006
At St. Francis since: 2014
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Being able to talk about God, our faith and how that fits into treating others in school counseling.
Guidance Counselor – Melissa Braun
School Office
Sheila Hassenstab
In Education since: 1995
At St. Francis since: 1995
Hometown: Columbus, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I enjoy working in the office and helping the teachers and students. No two days are ever the same. I love watching the growth of the students.
Elementary Office Administrative Assistant –
Sheila Hassenstab
Terri Wilshusen
Activities: Bus driver
In Education Since: 1991
At St. Francis Since: 1991
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I love watching the students develop through the years into mature young adults.
High School Office Administrative Assistant –
Terri Wilshusen
Pre-K
Natalie Ramaekers
Subject: Preschool
In education since: 2015
At St. Francis since: 2020
Hometown: Silver Creek, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I love being able to help the kids learn about Jesus and how much He loves them. At this age children really embrace that love and talk about it throughout their day.
Pre-K Teacher – Natalie Ramaekers
Jeanne Brockhaus
In education since: 1997
At St. Francis since: 2012
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I get to share the truth that God loves each one of my students and He will never stop loving them no matter what they do.
Preschool Religion Teacher and Aide –
Jeanne Brockhaus
Joyce Ternus
In education since: 2016
At St. Francis since: 2016
Hometown: Lindsay, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I love being around the little ones, their hugs, smiles and absolute true, sometimes brutal honesty that comes from them.
Teacher’s Aide – Joyce Ternus
K-12 Educators
Dean Korus
Subject: Art
Activities: Volleyball, Track
In education since: 1981
At St. Francis since: 1981
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
People! Atmosphere! Because this is my second home!
Art – Dean Korus
Katelynn Micek
Subjects: Middle & High School Business & Grades 4-12 Technology Teacher
In education since: 2019
At St. Francis since: 2022
Hometown: Lindsay, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Getting the chance to talk about my faith freely and even learn more about my faith while teaching.
Business & Computers – Katelynn Micek
Christopher Secuya
Subjects: Music
In education since: 2006
At St. Francis since: 2022
Hometown: Cebu, Philippines
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Helping students learn and grow. I enjoy working with supportive families and co-workers, who will help me develop new talents and passion in the field of Music.
Music – Christopher Secuya
Dave Stricklin
Subjects: K-12 Physical Education& Health
Activities: Football, Weightlifting
In Education Since:2001
At St. Francis Since: 2004
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Being part of something bigger than myself.
Physical Education – Dave Stricklin
Elementary Educators
Rachel Jenkinson
Subject: Kindergarten
In education since: 2019
At St. Francis since: 2022
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Teaching Religion is the best part about my job. I often get to be the first to read or explain a bible story to my students. To witness their true joy and amazement of God’s love and miracles is a blessing.
Kindergarten – Rachel Jenkinson
Jennifer Tuma
Subject: First Grade
Activities: Cross Country, Track
In education since: 2014
At St. Francis since: 2014
Hometown: Ord, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Being able to have discussions with my students and athletes about God.
First Grade – Jennifer Tuma
Stacie Baumgart
Subjects: Second Grade
In education since: 2006
At St. Francis since: 2007
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I am blessed to help the kids prepare and receive Jesus for the first time in the Blessed Sacrament.
Second Grade – Stacie Baumgart
Amy Baumgart
Subjects: Third Grade
In Education Since: 2002
At St. Francis Since: 2012
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
We can bring God into everything!
Third Grade – Amy Baumgart
Maureen McPhillips
Subject: Fourth Grade
In education since: 1984
At St. Francis since: 2021
Hometown: Meadow Grove and Niobrara, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I love being able to go to Mass often and sharing my faith with my students.
Fourth Grade – Maureen McPhillips
Haley Schrage
Subjects: Fifth Grade; Sixth Grade Religion and Science
Activities: High school Assistant Volleyball Coach
In education since: 2013
At St. Francis since: 2013
Hometown: Petersburg, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Being able to go to Mass and share the faith with all of our students.
Fifth Grade – Haley Schrage
Jen Nolan
Subjects: 5th & 6th grade Social Studies & Language; 6th grade Writing, Reading, Social Studies, Language & Spelling; 7th Grade Language
In education since: 2013
At St. Francis since: 2018
Hometown: Deshler, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness to our students.
Sixth Grade – Jen Nolan
Elementary Support Staff & Resources
Julie Huettner
Subject: Elementary Library
In education since: 2003
At St. Francis since: 2003
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I am blessed to be able to teach and learn through our faith every day!
Elementary Library-Julie Huettner
Kimberly Jarosz
Subject :Kindergarten Para
In education since: 2006
At St. Francis since: 2006
Hometown: Humphrey , NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Attending Mass with students and sharing our faith in every aspect of our education here at St. Francis.
Kindergarten Para- Kimberly Jarosz
Shayna Cepel
Services: Speech and Language Pathologist offered through ESU7
In education since: 2017
Serving St. Francis since: 2017
Hometown: Columbus, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
My favorite part of serving St. Francis is the culture and the wonderful individuals who work here.
Speech and Language Pathology –
Shayna Cepel
Jeanette Korth
Service: Special Education for K-12
In education since: 1984
Serving St. Francis since: 2011 (current role), 1984-1990 (prior role)
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I enjoy seeing the children of students I taught when I first worked at St. Francis. They like hearing that I taught their mom or dad, or another relative of theirs
Jeanette Korth
Cassandra Krings
Service: Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
In education since: 2016
Serving St. Francis since: 2020
Hometown: Brainard, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
St. Francis has a very supportive staff that is always willing to put in the extra effort to do what is best for all kids.
Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing – Cassandra Krings
Penny Nieman
Services: Reading/Math K-6
In education since: 1989
Serving St. Francis since: 2012
Hometown: Utica, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Sharing of faith while learning.
Reading/Math K-6-
Penny Niemann
Elsie Zach
Service: Special Education
In education since: 2022
Serving St. Francis since: 2022
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
I was eager to get back to a Catholic School after college to be able to practice my religion daily &. to be able to influence kids to express their faith.
SPED Teacher – Elsie Zach
High School Educators
Fr. Steven Emanuel
Subject: Theology
Activities: Spiritual Direction, Girls Assistant Basketball Coach
In education since: sometime before dinosaurs were extinct, but after Mr Dean
At St. Francis since: 2021
Hometown: North Bend, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Besides the lucrative financial package, it’s the amazing people I get to work with.
Theology – Fr. Steven Emanuel
Eric Kessler
Subject: Jr. High/High School Math
Activities: Football/Basketball/Golf/ Athletic Director
In education since: 1999
At St. Francis since: 2001
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
The opportunity to live and share my Catholic faith with the students and staff at St. Francis where our faith is the center of everything we do.
Jr. High/High School Math- Eric Kessler
Deana Policky
Subject: High School Social Studies
In education since 1993
At St. Francis since: 1993
Hometown: Sidney, IA
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
The best part of working in a Catholic school is being able to freely share my faith and incorporate Christ into my subject area.
Social Studies – Deana Policky
Tina Schumacher
Subjects: High School English, Journalism
Activities: High School Library, One Act
In education since: 2003
At St. Francis since: 2003
Hometown: Lindsay, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Parental Support and Sharing of Faith.
English – Tina Schumacher
Sydney Wiese
Subject: High School Science
In education since: 2022
At St. Francis since: 2022
Hometown: Elgin, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
Incorporating my faith into Education.
Science – Sydney Wiese
Timothy Wiese
Subject: High School Math
Activities: Robotics, One Act
In education since: 2014
At St. Francis since: 2014
Hometown: Lindsay, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
The opportunity to grow in my faith while educating students and helping them grow in their faith.
Math-Timothy Wiese
Vitoria Wiese
Subject: Theology
Activities: One Act
In education since: 2015
At St. Francis since: 2020
Hometown: Lindsay, NE
Favorite thing about teaching in a Catholic School:
The freedom to teach young people how to pray.
Theology – Vitoria Wiese
K-12 Support Staff
Rebecca Classen
Role: Head of Cafeteria
At St. Francis since: 2015
Hometown: Humphrey, NE
Favorite thing about serving in a Catholic School:
Nothing beats working in a Catholic environment where you can live the faith.
Head Cafeteria – Rebecca Classen
Ron Schroeder
Role: Maintenance
At St. Francis since: 2022
Hometown: Leigh, NE
Favorite thing about serving in a Catholic School:
I love the Catholic, faith based environment with people who are honest, fun to work with and treat you like family.