Four new staff members join East & West Catholic Elementary

— Mark Mahoney Cedar County News BOW VALLEY — Four new staff members have joined East & West Catholic Elementary for the 2022-23 academic year.

Sierra Beckman, Amber Collier, Hope Nelson and Heather Showen all bring different skill sets to the Bow Valley school.

Beckman is teaching the fifth and sixth grades. After five years in the classroom, she took last year off from teaching and worked in an office setting.

“Throughout the year, my heart felt drawn back to the classroom,” Beckman said. “Through some nudges both in prayer and by some great friends, I applied for the open position at East & West.”

She is in the sixth year of her teaching career, which she has called “rewarding.”

“I love getting to work alongside parents in their formation of their children,” Beckman said. “I love forming relationships with students, families and staff members.

“I love watching kids grow in confidence,” she said. “And now, I get to also love fostering and strengthening a child’s love for Jesus.”

She graduated in 2011 from Pius X High School in Lincoln and in 2015 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education.

Beckman previously worked for Lincoln Public Schools for two years as a second- and fourthgrade general education teacher.

Upon moving to Hartington in 2018,she taught for three years for Hartington-Newcastle Public Schools as a general education teacher in the third, fourth and fifth grades.

Beckman and her husband, Ben, relocated to Hartington for his job as the Nebraska Extension beef systems educator for five counties in the northeast part of the state.

“Although I’m biased, I would say he’s the best beef educator around,” she said. “We love our community up here.”

The couple has three children: Abigail, 4; John, 2; and Lucy, 7 months..

Outside of work, she noted she loves to bake with her children and go on family walks.

“I would say that being a mom is my favorite ‘hobby’ of all,” Beckman said. “Our kids are at really fun – and sometimes challenging – ages.”

Collier is a paraprofessional at East & West Catholic Elementary.

“I am incredibly blessed to have such a respectful, kind and generous staff and families to welcome me as a full-time employee,” she said.

Collier noted she has said enjoyed working in education.

“My heart fills with joy when seeing a student accomplish and grow in their education and faith,” she said. “There is nothing better than touching the hearts of students and filling them with confidence to be successful throughout their life while developing life skills,” she said.

Collier, who graduated in 2003 from Cedar Catholic High School in Hartington, has worked in various education positions over 15 years – mostly at Cedar County schools – plus 20 years as a piano teacher.

The Hartington native and resident and her husband, Chris, have four children who all attend Hartington-Newcastle – Aaralynn, sophomore; Aidan, eighth grade; Kyptin, seventh grade; and Paisley, fifth grade.

Outside of work, Collier said she enjoys singing, painting, playing the piano, reading, boating, camping, hiking and spending time with her family and friends.

Nelson is teaching band, music and physical education at East & West Catholic Elementary.

“I wanted to work at East & West Catholic Elementary because the school is a very kind and helpful community,” she said. “Everyone cares for each other and wants to help each other succeed.”

Nelson graduated in 2017 from Holdrege High School in Holdrege and this past December from Wayne State College in Wayne with a bachelor’s degree in K-12 music education.

Of working in education, she said, “I love being able to share my love of music and being able to help others discover their own passions.”

Nelson and her husband, Vergil, the instrumental music director at Cedar Catholic and Holy Trinity Elementary in Hartington, live in Laurel with their two cats and dog.

“When I am not doing music, I love to play games,” she said. “I like to be creative and have fun with others.”

Showen is a new paraprofessional. “I wanted to work at East & West Catholic because I would like to continue to learn more about the Catholic faith and to develop nurturing relationships within the school community,” she said.

Showen said she enjoys getting to teach and guide students to help develop their creativity and problem-solving skills.

“I also am a lifelong learner,so to gain knowledge is useful when I am with my children and family as well, to guide them on an optimistic, faith-based path,” she said.

Showen said she works ineducation because she loves helping others.

“My hope is that I can make a positive impact on the students throughout the day to help them develop confidence, kindness and empathy,” she said. “So, they know that they can accomplish any goal that they may have to positively impact themselves and the world. Always remembering that words and actions can make all the difference.”

This is the fifth year for Showen working within a school setting. She previously worked a variety of jobs in education.

Most recently, Showen had been at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Public School as the art teacher for kindergarten-eighth grade. Last year, she worked as a substitute teacher for Hartington public and Catholic schools.

Showen graduated in May 2006 from Laurel-Concord High School in Laurel and in December 2011 from Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in PK-12th grade art education.

She lives in Hartington, but is not a native of Cedar County. She spent most of her elementary and high school years in Dixon.

Showen and her husband, Bonifacio Rodriguez, have three children – Liliana, 8; Alan, 6; and Lucelly, who will soon turn 4.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, being creative, researching history and genealogy, helping others and building her faith base.

As for working at East & West Catholic Elementary, Showen said, “I am so thankful for this school year and I am blessed to be able to work with an awesome staff and students.”