Staff Spotlight: Preschool and Pre K Team 2021-22

Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, we are spotlighting all of our wonderful school staff on our blog! Next up, our PreKindergarten and Preschool staff spotlight. PreKindergarten staff includes Mrs. Betsy Weber (teacher and human resources coordinator), Mr. Joe Rhoads (teacher assistant), Mrs. Nancy Huber (teacher), Mrs. Ashley Horne (teacher assistant), Mrs. Kathy Mingo (teacher), and Mrs. Renee Ballentine (teacher assistant). Preschool staff includes Mrs. Nikki Facca (teacher) and Ms. Jennifer Pane (teacher assistant).

Please read below to learn more about our Pre-Kindergarten and Preschool staff: How many years they’ve been at Legacy, the most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy, and some of their favorites!

PreKindergarten Staff Spotlight

 

Mrs. Betsy Weber: PreKindergarten Teacher/ Human Resources Coordinator

Mrs. Betsy WeberNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: 32 years teaching/ 10 years at Legacy

My favorite thing about Legacy School is: The family atmosphere with both the staff and Legacy families. The fun, the learning, the outdoors, the students.

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: The lightbulb moments I see in my students throughout the year.

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: I have been on an African safari, where I sat under the stars in the middle of the savannah.

Some of Mrs. Weber’s Favorites

Salty snack: Pringles

Sports team: KC Royals, Nebraska Huskers

Sit-down restaurant: Stokin Goat

 

 

Mr. Joe Rhoads : PreKindergarten Teacher Assistant

Mr. Joe RhoadsNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: second year at Legacy

My favorite thing about Legacy School is: All the kids. It is a fun learning environment, and I love seeing kids grow from the first to the last day of school.

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: Being able to be a role model for kids as well as helping them learn and grow.

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: I am an adrenaline junky. I have been skydiving before and can’t wait to do it again.

Some of Mr. Rhoads’ Favorites

Color: purple

Fruit: honeydew

Candy: Reese’s Pieces

 

Mrs. Nancy Huber: PreKindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Nancy HuberNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: 27 years/ 5 years at Legacy

My favorite thing about Legacy School is: the people and the small class sizes!

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: I love teaching younger children because my own children are now older. This way, I always get to be with the littles!

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: I lived in Florida for a few years. I’m missing the beach in Nebraska for sure!

Some of Mrs. Huber’s Favorites

Scent: lavender chamomile

Soft drink: Coke Zero

Take out restaurant: McDonald’s

 

Mrs. Ashley Horne: PreKindergarten Teacher Assistant

Mrs. Ashley HorneNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: second year at Legacy

My favorite thing about Legacy School is: The number of areas the students can go to play and learn.

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: The support and teamwork from both co-workers and parents.

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: I am a twin, I have twins, and my twin has twins!

Some of Mrs. Horne’s Favorites

Cookie: gluten-free Oreos

Hobby: crafts/ puzzles/ reading

Starbucks drink: blended chai tea

 

Mrs. Kathy Mingo: PreKindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Kathy MingoNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: 18 years teaching/ 14 years at Legacy

My favorite thing about Legacy School is: The land is extraordinary! Eleven acres offers such unique learning experiences you can fit into the curriculum.

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: I love seeing the growth each student experiences throughout the year. Those “light bulb” moments are fulfilling.

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: Last summer I started a regular exercise and weight lifting regimen while changing my eating habits!

Some of Mrs. Mingo’s Favorites

Salty snack: chocolate covered pretzels

Color: green

Gum flavor: peppermint

 

Mrs. Renee Ballentine: PreKindergarten Teacher Assistant

Mrs. Renee BallentineNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: nine years at Legacy

My favorite things about Legacy School are: 1.) Lessons can be taken outdoors 2.) Rotating classrooms for Early Childhood 3.) Specials such as Science and Music

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: The support and camaraderie of all staff!

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: I have twins, and I love Notre Dame football.

Some of Mrs. Ballentine’s Favorites

Sports team: Notre Dame

Fruit: raspberries

Ice cream: TCBY (white chocolate mousse)

 

Preschool Staff Spotlight

 

Mrs. Nikki Facca: Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Nikki FaccaNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: 13 years teaching/ six years at Legacy

My favorite thing about Legacy School is: Everything! I love the staff, students, families, and especially Cookie’s kolaches!

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: The smiles and hugs from the students and watching them grow all year.

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: I have three kids, a dog named Dino, and my husband is from Canada!

Some of Mrs. Facca’s Favorites

Sit-down restaurant: Pitch, Charleston’s, and Blue Sushi

Nail salon: American Nails

Hobby: reading and shopping

 

Ms. Jennifer Pane: Preschool Teacher Assistant/ School Assistant

Ms. Jennifer PaneNumber of years teaching/working at Legacy School: second year at Legacy

My favorite thing about Legacy School is: I love watching the kids learn and explore through nature and have the ability to move while learning!

The most rewarding part of teaching/working at Legacy is: Watching the kid’s faces light up when they’ve learned something new.

Something fun/unique you might not know about me is: I love to go hiking!

Some of Ms. Pane’s Favorites

Scent: pumpkin apple

Ice cream flavor: mint chocolate chip

Cake: red velvet

 

Check out our previous 2021-2022 Legacy School staff spotlights:

Junior Kindergarten Staff Spotlight: https://www.legacyschoolne.com/junior-kindergarten-staff-spotlight/

Kindergarten Staff Spotlight: https://www.legacyschoolne.com/kindergarten-staff-spotlight/

First Grade Staff Spotlight: https://www.legacyschoolne.com/first-grade-staff-spotlight/

Second and Third Grade Staff Spotlight: https://www.legacyschoolne.com/second-and-third-grade-staff-spotlight/

Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade Staff Spotlight: https://www.legacyschoolne.com/fourth-fifth-and-sixth-grade-staff-spotlight/

 

The Legacy Private School in Omaha Advantage

A New Choice in Education

Take A Tour

Thank you for your interest in Legacy School. We encourage you to schedule a tour and see what makes our school unique! Small class sizes, differentiated instruction and high academic standards all in a private school setting. Our 11 acre campus provides an outdoor education you will not see anywhere else. We invite you to come tour our school today!

Outdoor Education

Legacy School sits on an 11 acre campus, allowing for expressive, outdoor educational experiences for all students. Our outdoor learning and playing space allows for real world experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. We utilize our unique location, with 11 acres of land for outdoor education and outdoor play, thus giving students a chance to spend more time in an outdoor education setting. New to Legacy School is a barnyard that holds both chickens and goats and a farm to table garden.

Legacy Scholarship

We are proud to unveil our new Legacy School Scholarship Program. Students who attend Legacy from 1st-5th grade are eligible for a $500 scholarship towards higher learning. This scholarship can be used for college or trade school upon graduation from high school. With that said, we are very excited to give back to our students as we know each child has the potential to succeed at whatever goal they set for themselves. We can’t wait to help your student celebrate their high school accomplishments and for them to continue onto their higher education journey.

Contact us for any questions!