We Are GIPS

"I want to be a Firefighter when I grow up."

More than a 5th Grader at Starr Elementary, Angel is a difference-maker at school and a future every day hero for the community. And the staff at Starr are empowering him along the way.

"...I think we change the world just by trying to reach one kid every day. I always tell myself that if I can reach one kid, if I can make one kid feel heard or loved or listened to that day, then that day was a success." 

Mrs. Shania Spellman is an 8th Grade Special Education Teacher at Barr Middle School. More than that, Mrs. Spellman seeks to do her part in making every student feel seen, heard, and valued. 

"I am so thankful to be in a position where I can help students dream and push them towards those dreams and help them achieve those dreams, to make it a reality." 

Miss Joana Reyes is more than just a College Counselor at Grand Island Senior High.

As a dreamer herself, she empowers students to see [and realize] their potential. 

"I want to be a second grade teacher because I like to see students improving... I just love being able to help making an impact." 

More than an Islander Cheerleader, Singer, and Dancer — Cara Camplin is a student leader on her way to being an awesome Elementary school teacher. And the opportunities she found at GISH set her on that trajectory.  

"I wanted to become a teacher because I wanted to be a role model, and I wanted all kids to know that they could be successful and that they're loved and that they're cared for." 

More than an Elementary school teacher, Mrs. Rose-Osgood a resilient role model, helping every student know she is in their corner. 

"I learned this year that you don't have to be somebody if you don't want to all you have to be as yourself."

Emery is a 5th Grader at Dodge Elementary. More than that, she is a future Pediatrician with a heart for helping children and her teachers are guiding her on that path. 

"At the root of everything, I just want to make an impact on your student and help them become an educated and passionate human being." Mrs. Moline is 

As an educator at Seedling Mile Elementary, she fosters an environment of creativity and learning every day. 

"I love being creative... Being able to create stuff for music be really inspiring for me. There's so much opportunity. I think the best thing about GISH is that you're not limited to what you can and can't do." 

Grady is a Senior at GISH with a passion for the Fine Arts.  More than that — Grady is a creative storyteller who has found his wings through the opportunities at Grand Island Senior High.

"[My students] inspire me because they are risk-takers... I think the older we get the less risks we take... they want to try every little thing they can."

Mrs. Shafer-Ehlers is a 1st Grade Teacher at Engleman Elementary. More than that, she is a Literacy Engineer championing better literacy for all students who enter her classroom. 

"Education, and public education, is so important because our kids are coming from all these different backgrounds. And being able to be there, and to be that support system from them, and to anyone who comes in the door, is essential."

More than a teacher and athletic trainer at GISH, Miss Carly Hirchert is an advocate for all students. Each day she seeks to give students an opportunity to find and share their voices.

"[When I grow up I want to be] an actor. I like to perform and show my parents what I can do." 

Alison is a 5th Grader at Howard Elementary. More than that, she has ambitions to bring smiles to people through performing. She has found confidence in her voice through the support of her teachers. 

"I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. I like to learn about animals and I like helping animals get better when they're sick. [In science class I learned] how animals can talk to their mom and how they can recognize their voice."

More than a 5th Grader at Shoemaker Elementary, Alyvia has dreams of becoming a helper of animals. Through her science discoveries at school she has set her sights on being a vet. 

"Math is my favorite subject... it's more calm and peaceful than the other subjects. I get to learn a lot of things all at once, and when I'm older like in high school or middle school, I'll know the stuff and I can think right away." 

Joanna is a 5th Grader at West Lawn Elementary. More than that, she has her sights set on becoming a lawyer to help people, and a nail artist to share creativity. 

"We are truly Every Student, Every Day, A Success. We are that. It's not just a GIPS slogan. We are truly embodied into that with what we do... educators put their whole body, their whole mind, their whole heart, their whole spirit, everything that they are into helping kids grow in every way possible." 

Mrs. Sarah Dramse, GIPS Positive Supports Coach, is more than a veteran teacher — she is a passionate champion who sees the best in every single student and seeks to help all learners grow in every way possible.  

"I want to be a music educator... Music and the other performing arts gives students a place to belong. [My favorite thing about GISH] is the diversity at our school, and that just means there is more to learn from each other."

Adeline is a Senior at Grand Island Senior High. More than that, she is a seasoned performer of stage and music whose found her voice thru the Fine Arts opportunities at GISH.

Her vision? To do the same for future generations as a music educator. 

"My parents both played college sports, and athletics have just got to me... it made me want to be a part of athletics in school." 

Braden is a 7th Grader at Westridge Middle School with a heart for being a competitive student athlete and accomplishing goals in the classroom. 

"I feel that educators change the world and that they have that opportunity to help families know that they are their child's first and best teacher. They empower them to be advocates for their children in every step of their education. The students and families that I work with inspire me by their amazing resilience."

Mrs. Faber has been serving as an Early Childhood Interventionist & Speech Language Pathologist in the district for 22 years. More than that, she is difference maker in the lives of countless families as they set their child up for success in school and in life. 

"I really like being at Barr. The teachers are nice and it's just such a fun place to go because there are so many good people here."

Monica is an 8th Grader and student leader at Barr Middle School. More than that, she has ambitions to bring her creativity to life through event planning as a career. Through the support of her teachers and opportunities at school, she's on her way to making that dream a reality.

"Educators create that foundation and that vision for students to not only like overcome challenges that they may face throughout their life, but really create a vision for them to see that they can become who they truly want to be."

More than a 4th Grade Teacher, Mr. Streck sees his classroom as a space for sparking creativity, empowering student voices, and making a difference every day.

"I love all the teachers and how they're nice to me and everybody else. They help me feel happy and comfortable because if I'm sad or anything, they can help me."

Harper is a 4th Grader at Engleman Elementary. More than that, she wants to become a teacher to carry-on the positive influence she's had from her educators.