All students must be Special Education verified to qualify for the following classes. Each course will be modified to fit the needs of the students based on the students' Individual Educational Plan (IEP). These courses are NOT college preparatory; however they do fulfill the necessary requirements for graduation. All listed courses may not be offered each semester due to insufficient student enrollment or staff availability.

900 FUNDAMENTAL ENGLISH – 9/12 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum in written and oral expression. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

901 ESSENTIALS OF ENGLISH 9 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed to teach sentence writing, monitoring errors, spelling correctly, building vocabulary and understanding literature.

902 ESSENTIALS OF ENGLISH 10 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed to review sentence writing, correcting errors, and develop paragraph writing. It will include a study of literature.

903 ESSENTIALS OF ENGLISH 11 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course combines literature, composition and language usage skills for students who have difficulty in these areas. A research paper will be required.

904 ESSENTIALS OF ENGLISH 12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course continues a combination of literature, composition and language usage skills to reinforce learned skills from English Essentials 11.

908 FUNDAMENTAL READING – 9/12 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum in reading. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

909 ESSENTIALS OF READING – 9/12 Y10 Credits

Description: This course provides students with specific reading assistance and appropriate strategies to deal with decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Prerequisite: Permission from case manager/IEP team.

920 FUNDAMENTAL MATH – 9/12 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum in math. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

921 ESSENTIALS OF INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA – 9 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for the student who needs more practice with basic mathematics. Students will receive instruction in concepts involving whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. The course also includes basic Algebra concepts and is designed to prepare students for Essentials of Algebra.

Prerequisite: Recommendation case manager/IEP team.

922 ESSENTIALS OF ALGEBRA FOUNDATIONS I- 9/10 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who may have difficulty understanding mathematics in an abstract form. The course includes basic algebra concepts and an introduction to basic geometry.

Prerequisite: Recommendation of case manager/IEP teacher.

923ESSENTIALS OF ALGEBRA FOUNDATIONS II - 10/11 Y 10 Credits

Descriptions: This course is the second year of a two year sequence and is designed for students who have successfully completed Essentials of Introduction to Algebra or Essentials of Algebra. Students will increase understanding of Algebra concepts and be introduced to basic Geometry concepts.

Prerequisite: Completion of course 922.

924 ESSENTIALS OF GEOMETRY – 11 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed to increase student understanding of geometry to include: lines, angles, planes, and images.

Prerequisite: Recommendation of case manager / IEP Team

925 ESSENTIALS OF CONSUMER MATH I - 12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course is designed to gain a better understanding of the application of mathematics in the market place. Areas to be covered are: mathematical skills, budgeting, taxes, insurance, auto consumerism, consumer applications, and consumer economics.

Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

926 ESSENTIALS OF CONSUMER MATH II - 12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course is designed to gain a better understanding of the application of mathematics in the market place. Areas to be covered are: mathematical skills, budgeting, taxes, insurance, auto consumerism, consumer applications, and consumer economics.

Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

930 FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE – 9/12 Y10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum in science. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

931 ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE IN ACTION - 9 Y 10 Credits

(formerly Essentials of Integrated Physical Science)

Description: This course utilizes a multi-faceted, hands-on approach to science. This course includes elements of Life Science although emphasis is placed on the Physical and Earth Sciences

932 ESSENTIALS OF BIOLOGY - 10 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course offers a simplified presentation of the important concepts of biology. Topics to be covered include: the cell classification, animal biology, botany, ecology and evolution by natural selection.

935 ESSENTIALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE – 11/12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course is designed to help students gain a better awareness of how they fit into the delicate balance of their environment. The interactions of living things with other living things as well as their impact on the non-living will be explored. A hands-on instructional approach is used.

940 FUNDAMENTAL SOCIAL STUDIES – 9/12 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum in social studies. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

941 ESSENTIALS OF AMERICAN HISTORY (SINCE 1914) - 9 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course continues the strands started in the eighth grade American History course and begins with the time period of 1914 prior to World War I.

942 ESSENTIALS OF WORLD GEOGRAPHY - 10 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course focuses on the interrelationships between nations. To function as a global citizen, students will develop an understanding of global interdependence and diversity, cooperation and conflict between nations, and the impact of culture and history upon world issues.

943 ESSENTIALS OF ETHNIC STUDIES - 11/12 S 5 Credits

Description: Ethnic Studies provides students with a means of learning about their own ethnic backgrounds, as well as the ancestry and history of others in their school and community. Ethnicity is an integral, but complex, part of American life. Students learn about differences and focus on those cultural values and components which have become national in character.

944 ESSENTIALS OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & ECONOMICS – 12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course is designed to help seniors acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to function as an informed, concerned and active citizen/consumer in our democratic society and complex world.

Prerequisite: Senior standing

950 FUNDAMENTAL DAILY LIVING - 9/12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum in the areas of self-care, health education, wellness, and safety. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational plan

951 FUNDAMENTAL INDEPENDENT LIVING – 9/12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum in the areas of cooking, household safety and cleanliness, finances, and leisure skills. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

970 FUNDAMENTAL TECHNOLOGY – 9/12 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum to access technology. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan.

971 FUNDAMENTAL PREVOCATIONAL SKILLS – 9/12 Y 10 Credits

Description: This course is designed for students who require an alternate curriculum to learn prevocational work habits and skills in a supported environment. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

973 WORK INTRODUCTION NETWORK I– 9/12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course provides students with an opportunity to explore occupations in non-paid work experiences at pre-approved school or community sites. These functional experiences will provide students with hands-on training and exploration of actual job duties in various career interest areas in preparation for competitive employment. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

974 WORK INTRODUCTION NETWORK II– 9/12 S 5 Credits

Description: This course provides students with an opportunity to explore occupations in non-paid work experiences at pre-approved school or community sites. These functional experiences will provide students with hands-on training and exploration of actual job duties in various career interest areas in preparation for competitive employment. This course’s grading system is pass/fail.

Prerequisite: Recommended by student’s Individual Educational Plan

975 OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS I - 9/10 S 5 Credits

Description: This exploratory course emphasizes career awareness and the development of positive worker traits. Students become acquainted with job sources, application procedures, interviewing techniques, and job maintenance skills.

Prerequisites: Permission of the Vocational Adjustment Coordinator; suggested for 10th grade.

976 OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS II - 11/12 S 5 Credits

Description: Students are provided with information to help them prepare to enter the job market. Areas included are the job application process, vocational aptitude and interest assessment, career research, job maintenance, and consumerism.

Prerequisites: Permission of the Vocational Adjustment Coordinator.

977 SUPERVISED OCCUPATIONS - 9/12 Y 10 Credits

Description: Provides students with an opportunity to work at a pre-approved school or community based job. This experience and the courses, Work Attitudes, and Occupational Skills serve as integral components of the student's job preparation.

Prerequisites: Permission of the Vocational Adjustment Coordinator; age 16; completion of, or concurrent enrollment in the corresponding Occupational Skills or Work Introduction Network. Seniors must have completed or be enrolled in Occupational Skills II to receive credit for Supervised Occupations.

Credit: 5 per semester (student must be employed the entire semester to be eligible for full credit).

Special Education Staff

Monica Bachman - mmbachman@mpsomaha.org

BA in English Education - South Dakota State University - 2001
St. Michael - Albertville High School Special Education - 3 Years
Millard South High School Special Education

Becci Bettendorf – rabattendorf@mpsomaha.org

 

Bachelors in Elementary Education K-6/ Special Education K-9 - UNO

Millard South High School

Melanie Dostal - mrdostal@mpsomaha.org

Bachlor of Science in Social Work - UNK - 2000
Masters in Special Education - UNL - 2006
Service Coordinator for Health & Human Services Dept. of Developmental Disabilities - 5 Years
MPS Young Adult Program - 1 Year
Millard South High School - Multi-Categorical Teacher

Brian Fritz- bfritz@mpsomaha.org

BS in Education - UNO
Boys Town - 5 Years
Omaha Public Schools - 1 Year
Millard South High School

Jody Gensler - jlgensler@mpsomaha.org

Bachelors in Education - UNL - 2004
Student Teaching at Boys Town
Millard South High School Special Education

Kathy Guinane- kguinane@mpsomaha.org

BS in Speech/Language Communication - KSC
An Additional 36 Hours in Education classes
Masters in Speech/Language Communications - UN of Texas at Dallas
Speech Pathologist - MSHS - 22 years

Theresa Iliff - tiliff@mpsomaha.org

BA in Education - UNK
Masters in Business Education and Special Vocational Needs - UNK
Ravenna High School -1 year
Omaha College of Health Careers - 2 years
Ft. Calhoun High School, Ft. - 2 years
Millard North High School - 5 years
Special Vocational Needs Cooperative Coordinator - 15 years

Michelle Klug - mmklug@mpsomaha.org

BA in Education - UNL
Masters in Education - UNL
Master in Educational Leadership-Doane
Hartley Elementary - 1 Year
Lincoln Public Schools - 1 Year
High School Special Education - MSHS
Special Education Dept. Head


Kelly Lawrence - kklawrence@mpsomaha.org

Bachelors in Education - Northwest MO. State Univ. 1999
St. Louis Park MN - 1 Year
Papillion - LaVista Schools - 3 Years
Millard South High School

Susie Lemons - sllemons@mpsomaha.org

BS in Education - UNL
Masters Program in Educational Psychology - UNL
Gretna Public Schools - 2nd Grade Teachers - 3 year
Gretna Public Schools - 4th - 8th Grade Gifted Educator - 1 year
Lincoln Regional Center - Educational Therapist - 4 years
Lincoln Public Schools - Special Education Therapist - 14 years
Blair Public Schools - Special Education Teacher - 1 year
Omaha Public Schools - Special Education Teacher - 7 years
Millard South - Special Education

Rachel Michael- rmmichael@mpsomaha.org

Bachelors in Elementary Education - UNO

Masters  in Special Education with an emphasis in Behavior Disorders - UNO

Papillion LaVista

Omaha Public Schools

Millard South High School

Tyler Renken - tdrenken@mpsomaha.org

BS in Education - Dana - 1995
Masters in Education Technology - 1999
Masters in Education Leadership - 2007
High School Special Education - MSHS

Barbara Renkenberger - brenkenb@mpsomaha.org

BA in Education - Loras College
Masters in Education - UNO
Minnesota - 3 years
Iowa - 6 years
High School Special Education - MSHS

Laura Runge – larunge@mpsomaha.org

 

Bachelor of Arts in Special Education K-12 Mild Moderate, Special Vocational Needs 9-12 - UNL

Masters in Special Education with an emphasis in Behavior Disorders – UNL  

ESU in Columbus Nebraska

Columbus High School

Crete Jr/Sr High School

Belmont Elementary, Lincoln

Lincoln East High School

Millard South High School

Dee Stanzel - dstanzel@mpsomaha.org

BA in Education - UNK
Masters in Learning Disabilities - UNO
Omaha Northwest - 4 years
High School Special Education - MSHS

Darcy Skrdla - dskrdla@mpsomaha.org

BA in Education - UNK
Masters in Education - UNK
Curtis Medicine Valley Elementary - Curtis, NE - 2 years
Bertrand Elementary - Bertrand, NE - 3 years
Youth Development Center - Kearney, NE - 1 year
High School Special Education - MSHS

Jill Southworth - jsouthwo@mpsomaha.org

BS in Communication Disorders for USD Masters in Speech Pathology - UNO
Millard Public School District 

Deb Schaap - dcschaap@mpsomaha.org

Masters in Speech/Language Pathology - UNO
OPS - 5 Years
MPS

Megan Weber - meweber@mpsomaha.org

BS in Education - UNL - 1996
Masters in Education - Framingham State College MA - 1998
Special Eduation - Plattsmouth, NE - 1 year
Special Education - MSHS -