Weather: Friday, April 26th

There is potential for severe weather this afternoon. Safety is our highest priority. The timing of these storms may happen at dismissal. If there should happen to be a tornado warning issued, we will follow our safety procedures and take shelter in the building. Once the warning has been lifted, we would then dismiss students as normal. 

Ashton Simon - Current Intermediate ACP

Hello, Wheeler Families! I wanted to take the opportunity to let families know that I will not be returning to Wheeler next school year. In November my family and I bought a new house in Papillion, so I have made the decision to return to Papillion La Vista Community Schools for the 24-25 school year. I am excited to work closer to home, but I will miss my students deeply. I feel truly blessed to have worked with such great kiddos and for having supportive parents along the way! 

Patty McGregor- Current 5th Grade

As many of you know, I will be hanging up my teaching shoes on May 23rd.  I will have the pleasure of walking out with my 5th grade class on the last day of school.  My years at Wheeler were some of the best with the amazing staff, students, and parents!  After some travel time, I plan to do some tutoring in the fall.  I will miss everyone at Wheeler.  I hope to run into past families out and about so I can keep up with all the success stories that happen!

Alexis Sherman- Current Kindergarten

Hi Wheeler!

I want to take this opportunity to let our community know that I will not be returning to Wheeler next year. My husband and I have decided to move back to Missouri to be closer to our family. I will greatly miss working at Wheeler. I will especially miss all of my students/families that I have worked closely with through the years. This has been an amazing place to work, and I am thankful for these last 4 years. 

Karley Rupp- Current 3rd Grade

Hi Wheeler families, 

I will not be returning to Wheeler next year because I will be at Reagan Elementary as their school counselor. I am so sad to leave such a special building. I am grateful for my students, families, and Wheeler community. I feel very lucky to have learned from and worked with the best staff around! As a former Wheeler student myself- once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat :) 

Dayna Derichs- Media Specialist

Wheeler families!  Thank you so much for allowing me to work with you and your children as their teacher librarian for the past 8 years.  It has been one of the greatest joys of my life.  True to who I am, I have chosen to challenge myself in new ways beginning this summer.  I will now serve the entire school district as a Technology MEP Instructional Facilitator.  This means I will work with students and staff from preschool through 12th grade as we integrate technology into their lessons and lives.  Wheeler Wildcats will be a part of this new position so, although I won't be a Wheeler staff member, I will continue to work with this community along with the whole of Millard.

Mrs. Lindsay Taylor- Current 5th- Moving to Lead English Language (EL) Teacher 24-25

Hello Wheeler community!

My name is Lindsay Taylor and I am so excited to be stepping into a new role next year as Wheeler adds an ELL (English Language Learner) program to our building! I have served the past five years as a classroom teacher in 4th and 5th grade. I have my Bachelor's from UNO where I earned my ESL endorsement and then earned my Master's degree after completing the CADRE Program. When I am not at work, I spend my time with my husband and our two pups. We look forward to welcoming a baby boy to our family in July. I enjoy gardening, reading, and finding new, fun books to bring into the classroom. I am so excited to continue partnering with our Wheeler families. I look forward to supporting students with academic and language goals, as well as collaborating with teachers in all grade levels. Wheeler is truly such a special place to be and I can't wait for next year!

Miss Payton Steensma- Current 1st- Moving to 3rd Grade 24-25

My name is Payton Steensma, and I am currently teaching first grade at Wheeler. Next year will be my 4th year of teaching, and I will be moving to third grade! I did my student teaching at Wheeler in third grade, and I am very excited to be back.

I grew up in Millard and always knew I wanted to teach in the district. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Elementary Education. In 2021-2022, I earned my Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction through the University of Nebraska at Omaha CADRE Project. I am currently in the Doctoral program for Educational Leadership at UNO. I enjoy taking classes and being able to apply new learning to our classroom. I love teaching because teachers are continuously learning. Education is my passion, and I am very lucky to be teaching in the same district I grew up in! In my free time, I enjoy concerts, shopping, spending time with my family, and going on walks.

I am excited for what next school year has in store and am very lucky to continue teaching at Wheeler. Go Wildcats!

Mrs. Brooke Studt- Current 2nd- Moving to 1st Grade 24-25

My name is Brooke Studt and I am excited to start my 23rd year in education in FIRST GRADE! I have been a Wheeler Wildcat for three years and it is an awesome place to be! I have taught in Nashville, Miami, Dallas, and have had the opportunity to serve in Omaha at several different places learning along the way. I taught, PreK, Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Fourth Grade, and have been an instructional coach. I love teaching because I get to take really important concepts and make it relevant and engaging for kids. There is nothing better than watching a child master a difficult concept. A great passion for me is when I get to help support the adults that work with kids, too. I enjoy igniting a spark in teachers so they can see how great they are. 

Personally, I am a mom of two great kids that are both in Millard Schools, too.  Grant is a seventh grader and my daughter Quinn will be in First Grade.  It will be fun to teach the same grade she is in.  When I am not at school teaching, I am at school learning.  I am currently finishing my Doctoral degree from Doane University.  I have Master's Degrees in Education, Early Childhood, Educational Leadership Administration, and last December graduated with my Ed Specialist Degree.  I am hopeful that every child finds something they are as passionate about as I am of Education.  I love being a Wheeler Wildcat! 

Mrs. Jacque Ottemann- Current Intervention- Moving to 5th Grade 24-25

My name is Jacque Ottemann and I love, love, love being part of the Wheeler community.  I am excited to be joining the 5th grade team next year.  The 2024-25 school year will mark my third year at Wheeler.  For the last two years, I have served as a Literacy Intervention teacher and prior to that I worked as a fifth grade teacher at Hitchcock Elementary School.  I have a passion for watching students grow and learn and I strive to make our classroom community welcoming and a place students are excited to participate in each day. 

I have a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Creighton University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  Outside of work, I am blessed to spend time with my family.  My husband, Matt, and I have been together since high school, and are busy raising our two daughters, Lauren and Ava.  I also enjoy painting and drawing, and doing anything outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains or kayaking.  

Wheeler is truly a remarkable place and I am so fortunate to continue my teaching journey with the students and families who make it magical.

Miss Bailey Timmons- Current 4th Grade- Moving to Media Specialist

Hello Wheeler Wildcats!

My name is Bailey Timmons and for the past four years I have been a fourth grade teacher here at Wheeler. I believe in my first “Welcome to Wheeler” post, I shared how Wheeler has always been my home and it truly has. I attended Wheeler from K-5th grade, student taught in second grade and resource, and  have been lucky enough to teach here. 

These past four years have been nothing short of amazing and I have loved every moment! I have also learned so much from so many, including Mrs. Derichs. Her engaging lessons and knowledge on all things technology and books sparked my interest in becoming a teacher librarian myself. So, when I received my Master’s degree through the CADRE Project, I began my teacher librarian journey by having a focus in Instructional Technology Leadership. I am currently finishing up earning my teacher librarian endorsement through the University of Nebraska-Omaha. 

With all that being said, I am extremely excited to share that I will be the teacher librarian here at Wheeler! My heart is full knowing that I will be able to share my passion for technology and reading with all grade levels while helping support our fabulous staff!

🎡 The Carnival is Coming on May 16th!! 🎡

🎟️  Get your tickets early & Save $$ by clicking here! 🎟️ 

Adults and children under the age of 2 are FREE! Wristbands will include all games, bounce houses, face painting, balloons as well as one concession. Day of wristbands are $20.

• Please go to Millard Public Schools Food Service website to learn more about My School Bucks for depositing money in your child’s lunch account or to find the application for FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.

• If your child will be eating breakfast at school, we ask that they please arrive between 8:15 - 8:25 so they can eat breakfast and start the school day on time at 8:30.

• Menu Info can be found here!