Josue Pleitez Castellanos - Secretary, Welcome Center Greeter

Jaimie Cogua - Coordinator English Learner, Dual Language, Refugee and Migrant Education

I am the Coordinator of the English Learner, Dual Language, Refugee and Migrant Education programs. I am the coordinator, which means I lead programs to help students in grades K-12 learn English and help students and families learn how to navigate school in the United States. The Office of English Learners designs programs for Pre-K through 12th grade for the regular school year, enrichment learning through intersession camps and summer school and provides learning for families through the EL Family Involvement Program.  We welcome all of our new families to our schools!   

I grew up in Omaha, Neb. I went to school in the Omaha Public Schools and graduated from Burke High. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minn. I then earned a master's in reading K-12 and a certification in K-12 educational leadership from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. I also earned my K-12 ESL Endorsement through Concordia University.  

I began my career with the Omaha Public Schools as a sixth grade teacher at Jackson Elementary in 1999. Then for a few years, I worked with a local church as the Director of Community Relations to engage people to serve various non-profit organizations in the community. I later returned to our district as an ESL teacher at Crestridge Elementary, where I helped build the Dual Language program. In 2013, I began a new administrator role as a curriculum supervisor with the district, and in 2017, I stepped into the role of Coordinator of the English Learner Education programs.  

My family is bilingual, and I believe in the value of multilingualism. I am so glad you are a part of our community!  

Enkela Vehbiu - Program Leader

I was born in Tirana, Albania. I lead the program -- I oversee its operation, plan short- and long-term goals, and facilitate cultural orientations and family activities. I am also a Family Engagement Implementation Specialist, a position that will extend the application of the experience gained through this program to other schools in the district. I hold a master's in international relations from New Mexico State University. I have worked at the English Learner Family Involvement Program since 2022. I speak Albanian, English, Russian and Italian. Mirё se erdhёt nё programin tonё!

Heidi Beckwith - EL Parent Liaison

I am originally from Lincoln, Neb., in the United States. I teach our Level 3 and Level 4 English classes for adults and our test prep class for students wanting to go to college. I have a bachelor's in second language education, a master's in secondary education with an emphasis in bilingual education and an associate degree in landscape design. I have an ESL endorsement at both the undergraduate and graduate level. I have worked at the English Learner Family Involvement Program in Omaha Public Schools since 2021, but I worked for seven years before that as a classroom teacher. I speak English and Spanish. Welcome to our program! 

Rana Jafar - EL Parent Liaison

I was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and grew up in Manchester, England. I teach English and citizenship. I have an undergraduate degree in English literature and a graduate degree in teaching with a focus on high school English from Manchester, England. I moved to the USA in 2011, and I have worked for Omaha Public Schools since 2016. I speak English and Arabic. Welcome to our amazing program! 

Benjamin Thorson - EL Parent Liaison

I am from Omaha, Nebraska and have lived here most of my life. I had the opportunity to live overseas in Ukraine for my senior year of high school which sparked my interest in learning about other cultures. In college, I received my bachelor's degree in international studies from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Figuring out the next step in life, I eventually worked for several years as an English Language and Job Readiness instructor at a local Refugee resettlement agency. I started working at Omaha Public Schools in late October 2023. My role is an English Language Parental Liaison and I help refugees and migrants improve their English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. It has been wonderful to help them grow in their confidence in interacting in the community.  Welcome to our Program!

Adrian Petrescu, Ph. D. - EL Parent Liaison

I was born in Romania and have been calling Omaha home since 2011, which is also when I became an American citizen. I teach our Level A English class for adults. I relate to their experience because English is a foreign language to me as well. I started learning English when I was seven years old. I was lucky to have excellent teachers of English who helped me understand the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution which I read as an 11-year-old boy.  All teachers in general and a high school teacher in particular – she brought American and English books in the classroom, breaking the rules of communist Romania – helped instill in me a love of teaching. I came to America in 1995 to study for my doctorate in economics and international relations. I have taught in universities in South Texas, rural Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Nebraska since 1998. I also hold a law degree which I earned in 2016. I have taught English and high school completion for adults in Omaha for seven years, and for the English Learner Family Involvement Program at Omaha Public Schools since April 2022. Welcome to our program!  

Barbara Vanderbeek - EL Parent Liaison

I am an Omaha native.  I have taught for over 30 years.  My first teaching positions were in the Omaha Public Schools at Beveridge Middle and Bryan High Schools.  I've also taught in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Millard Public School district.  I have taught courses in Child Development, Health, Nutrition and Sewing.  I have a teaching endorsement in EL and I am looking forward to working with the students in the English Learner Family Involvement Program here at Omaha Public Schools.  Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and dogs.  I love activities that include walking, swimming, kayaking, biking and being outdoors. I am an English-only speaker, but I'm anticipating that I will learn a few new phrases in this new adventure!

Eh Dah Htoo - Family Literacy Bilingual Aide

I am originally from Burma. I am a bilingual language aide, assisting parents and children to learn English and gain skills so children are ready for kindergarten. I love working with kids. I also help parents who are taking our Citizenship class. Besides the English Learner Family Involvement Program, I also participate in home visits as part of our Migrant Education Program in the Omaha Public Schools. Outside of school, I help new families understand the American way of life. I started working for the Omaha Public Schools in 2013. I speak Karen, Burmese and English. 

Kelly Larsen - Family Literacy Parent Liaison

I have a master's in teaching, with an ESL certification.  I have been working for the Omaha Public Schools since 2017.  I loved working as an English Learner teacher for six years, with elementary students.  I was happy to transition to the Family Literacy program, part of the English Learner Family Involvement Program in 2024. It is a joy to work with the families and their children to foster a love of learning and language.  I really enjoy hearing all of the different languages spoken by the families.  I speak English and Spanish.  Welcome to our program! Bienvenido a nuestro programa! 

Adriana Matallana Guerra - Family Literacy Parent Liaison

I was born in Bogotá, Colombia. I teach the Family Literacy class at Prairie Wind Elementary. I have a bachelor's in occupational therapy with a specialization in teaching from Bogotá, Colombia. From 1995 until my move to Omaha in 2011, I taught at a university, practiced at a children's hospital and worked for the Colombian National Police. In the United States, I am certified in the sensory integration field as well as teaching Handwriting Without Tears, a program for Pre-K through fifth grade students. I have worked for Omaha Public Schools since 2022, and it has been one of the best experiences since my arrival in the United States. I speak Spanish and English. Bienvenido a nuestro programa!

Ngay Meh - Family Literacy Bilingual Aide

I am originally from Thailand. I am a bilingual aide, supporting bilingual communication between parents enrolled in the Family Literacy Classes as well as leading children in learning activities and skill development. I moved to Nebraska in September 2015, where I attended Pine Ridge Job Corps and earned my CNA in 2017. I hold degrees from the Karenni National Community College and the Metropolitan Community College in Omaha in general human services. Before joining the English Learner Family Involvement Program in 2022, I was a contracted interpreter for our district. I speak Karenni, Burmese and English.

Alina Naderi - Family Literacy Bilingual Aide

I am originally from Kabul, Afghanistan where I completed two years of college education in Computer Science at Kardan University in Kabul, followed by another year at Comsats University Islamabad in Pakistan. I have volunteered for the Afghan Red Crescent Society and the Lincoln Learning Centre in Kabul, where we organized various programs for women. After two years of living as an immigrant in Pakistan, I came to the United States of America on January 4, 2024. In 2024, I joined the English Learner Family Involvement Program. I enjoy working with people from different countries and understanding children from diverse backgrounds. English is my second language, while my native language is Dari. I can also understand Pashto, Urdu, and Turkish. 

Cherri Rain - Family Literacy Bilingual Aide

I am originally from Myanmar. I work as a bilingual aide, where I assist the classroom teacher as well as help children younger than five learn their alphabet, colors and numbers. I also help facilitate communication between Karen and Burmese parents and the teacher. I lived in a refugee camp before coming to the United States in 2009. I have a certificate in nursing earned in my country of origin. I also took English as a Second Language classes through Metropolitan Community College. Now I help new families learn English through the English Learner Family Involvement Program. I started working for Omaha Public Schools in 2021. I speak Karen, Burmese and English. 

Paula Restrepo - Family Literacy Parent Liaison

I am originally from Medellin, Colombia. I came to Omaha in 1999, where I attended ILUNO Intensive English Program and the International Professional Development (IPD) Program at the University of Nebraska Omaha. I understand how challenging it can be to adjust to a new country; therefore, I am happy to be part of the English Learner Family Involvement Program at Omaha Public Schools since 2024. I help parents learn English and work with children on basic skills such as colors, shapes, numbers, and letter recognition. Children practice and improve fine and gross motor skills to help them be ready for kindergarten. It has been a rewarding experience to work with the immigrant and refugee families at Omaha Public Schools. I speak Spanish and English.

Claire Herzog - Social Worker

I have been working as a Refugee/Migrant Social Worker for Omaha Public Schools since 2020. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a master's in social work and public administration. I have worked with refugees in various areas for almost 20 years, including resettlement, early childhood and mental health. At Omaha Public Schools, I support newcomer families by coordinating with schools, community agencies, medical providers and others with the goal of empowering families to be self-sufficient and successful in their new country.  Welcome to our program!