Wendy Loewenstein, Ed.D.

Principal
wendy.loewenstein@ops.org
531-299-9618

Dr. Loewenstein is a passionate educator who strives for the personalization of learning for all students. As OVS principal, she is responsible for the curriculum, instruction, and assessment of staff and students. She is excited to build relationships in the Omaha metro area with OVS students and stakeholders, as Omaha Public Schools develops the first K–8th virtual school in the state! Dr. Loewenstein joined Omaha Public Schools in 2016 as an instructional technology trainer. In this role, she facilitated the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) program for the district and worked closely on technology integration initiatives with executive directors, building principals, and curriculum specialists. e-mail: wendy.loewenstein@ops.org phone: 531.299.9618

Sarah Nommensen

Instructional Facilitator
sarah.nommensen@ops.org
531-299-9453

Sarah graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 2004 from Wayne State College. She began teaching 5th grade at Belvedere Elementary in OPS. While at Belvedere, she earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane University and an English as a Second Language Endorsement from Concordia University. After that, she taught ESL at Gilder Elementary before becoming an Instructional Facilitator/Academic Data Representative at Spring Lake Magnet in 2012. While at Spring Lake, she earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with an Elementary Principal Endorsement from Doane. In 2014, she left teaching to be a stay at home mom. “When the opportunity to teach at such a forward-thinking school came up, I couldn’t pass it up! I loved my time as a stay at home mom, but I couldn’t stay away from teaching for too long! I’m excited to be a part of this team!

Peter Conn

Secretary
peter.conn@ops.org
531-299-0269

We are excited to introduce, Mr. Peter Conn to our school community. Peter will serve as our school secretary. He comes to us with secretary experience in the district. Previously, he was the registrar/data processor at Nathan Hale Middle School in OPS for 11 years. This was Peter's first week and he has already been supportive to our families and staff. We are excited to have him on board! This means, we have someone to answer our phones!! Please, call us if you need anything and Peter will be there. He is full-time and will be on duty from 7:30am-4pm, daily.

K-5th grade team

Kathy Neville

Kindergarten/1st grade
katherine.neville@ops.org

Kathy Neville earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and her M.S. in Reading at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In her 21 years of teaching, she has taught students in kindergarten, third grade, fifth through 8th grade, and college. Her greatest joy in life is helping to develop a child’s love of reading. Mrs. Neville and her husband have three sons, two dogs, and one cat. In her free time, she plays tennis and fosters kittens.

Megan Rogers

2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
megan.rogers@ops.org
531-299-9367

Ms. Rogers has been working in the Omaha Public School District for 16 years. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade for 7 years and then was an instructional facilitator for 6 years. Ms. Rogers has been with the Omaha Virtual School teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade since the opening of our program. Throughout her educational career, she has earned Masters degrees in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Leadership. Most recently she completed an endorsement in Instructional Technology Leadership. "I am proud to be a part of the Omaha Virtual School and the unique experience that supports personalized learning for all. I love working as a team with our learners, learning coaches, and families to do what is best for learners."

Mark Dowling

4th/5th Grade Teacher
mark.dowling@ops.org
531-299-9548

Mr. Dowling graduated from Iowa State University in 2002. He began teaching 3rd grade for Omaha Public Schools Spring Lake Magnet Center in 2002. In 2007, he became the Technology Specialist at Spring Lake and held that position until 2016 when he joined OVS. He and his wife are both teachers with Omaha Public schools and they have 4 children in OPS.

Middle School Team

Molly Felten

6th-8th grade
Science
molly.felten@ops.org
531-299-9325

Mrs. Felten received her bachelor's in elementary education with an endorsement in middle grades language arts and science from Doane University in 2010 and a master's in curriculum and instruction in 2012. In 2014, she received an endorsement in English Language Learning (ELL). She has taught with Omaha Public Schools for the last 10 years teaching English, Social Studies, and Science at the middle school level. She has been with Omaha Virtual School since the first year it opened. Her favorite part of OVS is building relationships with her colleagues, learning coaches, and learners.

Jill Robison

6th-8th grade
ELA and Computer Apps
jill.robison@ops.org
531-299-6965

Jill received her bachelor's in secondary education with an endorsement in mathematics from the University of Omaha in 1996 and a master's in secondary education, with an emphasis in instructional technology, in 2003. In 2017, she received an endorsement as a reading specialist for grades K-12. She has spent time over the last 20 years teaching math in the Westside school district and, more recently, served as a Program Coordinator of reading for Boys Town Schools. "I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the students, parents, and staff here at OVS. It is filled with people who are willing to learn new things together. Each school year, I see growth in learners, learning coaches and myself! What a great way to teach and carry on the concept of lifelong learning!"

Phil Medeiros

6th-8th grade
Math
philip.medeiros@ops.org
531-299-9447

Mr. Medeiros is an Omaha Public Schools Central High School graduate. He received his bachelor's in elementary education from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2002. In 2016, he received a Master of Arts in teaching middle school mathematics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Mr. M has been a teacher for 20 years teaching in both the Westside School District as well as Omaha Public Schools. Phil has taught at Liberty Elementary, Springville Elementary and Davis Middle School within OPS. He has also taught at Iowa Western Community College. He has always had a love of mathematics and enjoys engaging learners of all ages. " I am excited for the opportunity to work with the students, parents, and staff here at OVS. I look forward to helping others find a passion for learning."

Mike MacConnell
6th-8th grade
Social Studies
michael.macconnell@ops.org

Mr. MacConnell is joining OVS to teach middle school social studies after spending the past five years teaching ELA at Monroe Middle School. Prior to joining OPS in 2017, he taught elementary ELL for LPS in Lincoln, NE. Mr. MacConnell earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education from Grace University in 2009 and a Master of Arts  in History from Fort Hays State University in  in 2013. He moved back to Omaha in 2015 to pursue a Master of Social Work at the University of Nebraska Omaha, but put those plans on hold to return to the classroom. Mr. MacConnell is excited to start a new chapter in his career with OVS and looks forward to working with learners and their families as we explore and learn about social studies together! ​​

High School Team

Derrick Brannan

High School Teacher
Social Studies and electives
derrick.brannan@ops.org
531-299-9457

Derrick received an associate's degree in communications applications in 1995 and a bachelor's in economics from University of Nebraska Omaha, both during his 8 years in the USAF. In 2006 he earned a bachelor's in secondary education with endorsements in social sciences and history from Peru St College. Currently he is enrolled in a Computer Science Education master's program. He has spent the last 14 years teaching grades k-11 in multiple subjects from literature to PE. He loves to work one to one with families in an innovative program to help their students be successful.

Kathryn Cyr
High School Teacher
Social Studies
kathryn.cyr@ops.org

Mrs. Cyr joins OVS this year after spending 7 years at Davis Middle School teaching Social Studies and Reading. Prior to that Mrs. Cyr taught at English/Language Arts at McMillan Middle School. Mrs. Cyr received her Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Political Science and her Master's degree in History from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She then completed her Master's degree in Teaching at the College of St. Mary's. Being a life-long learner and adventurer, Mrs. Cyr cannot wait to work with the students of the OVS and tackle high school History!!

Jodi Taylor
High School Teacher
ELA
jodi.taylor@ops.org

Jodi Taylor uses the pronouns she/her.  Jodi earned her B.A. degree in Theatre from the University of Southern California (USC) and her Master of Arts in Teaching from USC.  She is a proud OPS grad and has taught 6th and 7th grade ELA, Speech and Drama in the district.  She is a Certified Microsoft Innovate Educator and a Minecraft for Education Global Mentor. Jodi’s pedagogical stance is rooted in Critical Thinking, Social Emotional Learning, Multiple Literacy Strategies, Collaboration and Metacognition.  Jodi is a passionate advocate for her students and is a dedicated, goal-oriented educator.  Although she is a teacher by profession, she is a lifelong learner.  Jodi encourages and inspires her students to embrace the learning process through reflection and laughter.

Kyle Francis-Thomas, Ed.D.

High School Teacher
Math
kyle.francisthomas@ops.org
531-299-3789

Dr. Francis-Thomasjoined the OVS team in the 2020-21 school year. He received his Bachelor's in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Concordia College Selma in 2006, his High School Mathematics Endorsement in 2008, his Master's in Educational Administration in 2012, and his Doctorate in Educational Administration in 2015 from UNL. He has taught with Omaha Public Schools, Lincoln Public Schools, Selma City Schools, and Freeport Public Schools for over 10 years. Kyle has taught Math at Benson High School and Mercy High School. He has always had a passion for teaching young people and helping them find their own purpose in life. He also has over 5 years experience teaching with online math programs.

Jessica vonRentzell
High School Teacher
Science
jessica.vonrentzell@ops.org

Ms. vonRentzell earned her Bachelor of Science in 2018 where she majored in microbiology and dual minored in mathematics and biology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jessica went on to work in a Creighton University Core Laboratory where she found mentoring the student intern to be her favorite part of the job. Following that passion, she returned to UNL where she received a Master of Arts specializing in science teaching, graduating summer 2021. She is excited to start her teaching career at OVS and inspire the next generation of scientists. 

Electives and Counseling

Shannon Barry

Art Teacher
Kindergarten-12th grade
shannon.barry@ops.org

Mrs. Shannon Barry has taught art with Omaha Public Schools since 2009. During this time she has taught a variety of age levels. Mrs. Barry is with Omaha Virtual School every morning and teaches art at a brick and mortar elementary school every afternoon. Mrs. Barry is a tech leader in the district and is always up for a new challenge. Mrs. Barry loves facilitating new art experiences and explorations with OVS learners at all levels.

Mike Emmer

Guidance Counselor
6th-12th grade
michael.emmer@ops.org
531-299-6188

Mr. Emmer has been an educator for over 30 years. He started out at a community college at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh-Fond du Lac campus before transferring to Creighton University to earn both a Bachelor’s of Arts and a Master’s of Science degree in Counseling. He worked nine years at a middle school at Boys Town before transferring to Omaha Public Schools as a middle school counselor at King Science and Technology Magnet. He also worked at Benson High School Magnet and Independent Studies Program before accepting a half time school counseling position at Omaha Virtual School. The other half time position will be at the Parrish Expelled Student Program. He looks forward to supporting students toward school success and achieving their career dreams. He also works part time at Iowa Western Community College as an online adjunct instructor of Psychology. Outside of school, he enjoys motorcycling, camping, sailing, and biking. Last summer he biked across South Dakota.