Tigers welcome new staff
Launch the media gallery 1 playerTigers welcome new members to staff
Excitement buzzed the halls of Osmond Community School during the first week of school. The Tigers welcomed nine new members to its staff.
This includes Principal Kurt Polt, Nancy Bessmer (paraprofessional), Leah Gubbels (special education), Eli Neitzel (business instructor), Dave Schmit (English), Tony Thies (history), Lauren Thompson (paraprofessional) Jennifer vonRentzell (special education), and Robin Wagner (administrative assistant),
Mr. Polt is currently living in Osmond with his wife Sara and their two children (Diandra and Kaden). He previously was employed by the GIltner School District in Giltner, NE. There he served a variety of roles: K-12 physical education, athletic director, head coach, junior high coach, and K-12 principal.
Polt attended UNK for his bachelors and masters degrees.
“I am originally from Pierce and have three older brothers. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, outdoor activities, and traveling.”
Nancy Bessmer is an Osmond native who lives with her husband James and their son Jared (11th).
Leah Gubbels is one two new special education instructors/coordinators. She is an Osmond native who is also helping coach volleyball and who will be coaching speech.
After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln last December, Gubbels did her student teaching in an elementary and special education room at Bel Air Elementary in Norfolk.
Gubbels has a golden retriever and enjoys watching sports and cheering for the Huskers, Vikings, and Minnesota Twins.
She enjoys baking and running; she is engaged to be married in November.
She said, “I am very excited to start working with the students at Osmond Community School.”
Eli Neitzel is the school’s new business teacher. He lives in Hadar with his girlfriend Bailey. He spent his first year teaching at Ravenna High School.
Neitzel graduated from Midland University in 2015 with a double major in General Business and Business Education. He is originally from Weeping Water.
As well as teaching business, Neitzel will also be teaching computers while also being the sponsor of the FBLA chapter, the O Club. He will be helping with wrestling this winter.
“I really look forward to working with all the different students and staff here at Osmond,” Neitzel said.
Dave Schmit, a graduate of Osmond High School, will be teaching English and Spanish. Schmit will also be help coaching football.
He previously taught at Wallace and Dakota Valley (SD). He graduated from Mount Marty College.
Tony Thies is the school’s new 7-11th grade social studies teacher. He graduated high school from Randolph (2012) and then from University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2017) Bachelor of Sciences Secondary Education/Coaching.
He will serve with help coach the girls basketball team. He enjoys golf, basketball, movies, and TV. (His favorite sports teams are the Nebraska Huskers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Kansas Royals.)
“I am excited to begin my teaching journey close to home and in a great community!” Thies said. “The staff has made me feel right at home and I look forward to having a fantastic school year.”
Lauren Thompson is a paraprofessional and is looking forward to being part of the school year. She has lived in Osmond for five years with her husband, Jarod, and their four children.
After serving Osmond Community School as a paraprofessional last year, Robin is taking on the roll as the new administrative assistant.
She was born and raised in Osmond, and I'm a busy mom of four girls: Riley 14, Erin 10, Meagan 9 and Emerson 3.
“I look forward to working with the students and staff here in Osmond,” Wagner said.
Jennifer vonRentzell is one of the new special education instructors. This year begins her sixteenth year of teaching.
“My first 15 years of teaching experience were at Bloomfield Community School and Plainview Public Schools,” vonRentzell said.
Moving from her previous position as administrative assistant last year, she notes how excited about taking on this new role with the school she is.
vonRentzell lives with her husband, Aaron, on the family farm east of Osmond with our three children.
Tyler, recently graduated with the class of 2017 from Osmond High School will begin classes at Northeast Community College in the Agricultural Transfer program.
From there, his plans are to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to major in AgBusiness.
Our second son, Connor, is a freshman at Osmond High School. He is active in cross country, basketball, band, FBLA, and our church youth group, LYF.
The youngest of our children, is our daughter, Ella, who is in fifth grade this year. I enjoy reading, camping, scrapbooking, & spending time with family & friends.
