Principal

Phone: (531)299-7533

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Doctor of Education- UNO Superintendent Endorsement- UNK Masters in Educational Administration- UNO Masters in Counseling- UNO Bachelors in Secondary Education-UNL Associate of Arts- Central Community College

Dr. Rony Ortega

Dr. Ortega considers himself a life-long learner and believes he works in the greatest profession that allows him both the possibility for continuous learning as well as the opportunity to influence and change students' lives through education. He has earned five college degrees and held numerous roles in K-12 education in both urban and suburban schools.

Assistant Principal

Phone: (531)299-6703

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

M.A. Educational Administration, 2014 M.A History- UNO, 2007 B.A. Secondary Education(Social Sciences), UNO, 2002 B.A. Psychology, B.A. Sociology- Bellevue University, 2001

Mrs. Melissa Gates

Academic Director, V-Z (10-12)

Melissa Gates has been a staff member with Bryan High since 2003. Her career at Bryan High School began as a student teacher in 2002. In the Fall of 2003, Melissa Gates assumed her teaching position in the Social Studies department where she remained for ten years. In the fall of 2013, Melissa Gates transitioned into the role of Dean of Students where she remained until accepting the position as Bryan High's Data Processor/Academic Director. Melissa Gates is a proud Bryan High Alumni, who enjoys spending time with her family and the outdoors.

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” – Plutarch

Assistant Principal

Phone: (531)299-9134

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Masters in School Administration, UNK 2014 BA, Hasting College 1997

Mr. Ryan Murtaugh

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, GOLD Team, K-L (10-12)

Mr. Murtaugh has been with Bryan High School since 2019-2020 school year.

Assistant Principal

Phone: (531)299-6614

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mr. James Cunningham

Activities Director/Academies Director, M-O, Q (10-12)

Dean of Students

Phone: (531)299-8857

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Principalship K-12 Endorsement, Western Governors Univ., 2017 M.S. Curriculum & Instruction, Bilingual Ed. Endorsement, Graduate Certificate Teaching in Urban Schools, 2009 ESL K-12 Endorsement, Concordia Univ., 2007 B.S. Elementary Education, Peru State College, 2005 HS Diploma, William Jennings Bryan HS, 1998

Mrs. Sasha Cervantes

BEARS Team, E-J (10-12)

Mrs. Sasha Cervantes has been a Dean of Students with Bryan High School since 2020. Cervantes' career in education began in 1999, when she joined the Omaha Public Schools at Highland Elementary as a Minority Intern and English as Second Language Paraprofessional that allowed her to participate in an early Para to Teacher Career Ladder program. Her first teaching position was in 2005 at Marrs Magnet Center where she taught in the Dual Language program. In 2018, she moved into a position as an EL Resource/Dual Language Lead Teacher at Jackson Elementary. Mrs. Cervantes is proud to come from a family of educators from both Mexico and the U.S. Mrs. Cervantes spare time is spent traveling, camping and boating with her husband, daughter and dog.

Dean of Students

Phone: (531)

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Master of Arts in Education from The University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2018 Bachelor of Arts in Education from Midland University, 2012

Mr. Tyler Montoya

GOLD Team. A-D (10-12)

Mr. Montoya has been with Bryan High School since 2021. He began his career as a Spanish teacher and athletic coach before becoming a Dean of Students and Assistant Athletic Director. Mr. Montoya has worked in both large and small school districts, most recently coming to Omaha Public Schools from Bellevue Public Schools.

Dean of Students

Phone: (531)299-3926

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Master's in educational administration Concordia University 2019 ESL endorsement Concordia University 2018 Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Peru St. College 2008 Bachelors in Mathematics 2005

Mr. Alan Nesbitt

GREEN Team, P-U (10-12)

Mr. Nesbitt has been with OPS for 17 years working in both the Middle school and High School setting as a math teacher. He is now transitioning to becoming a Dean to support more students through their education. He has been with Bryan High School for 10 years and looking forward to many more. He thinks that education and learning are two key parts to success. Taking the opportunities provide and using them to grow as a person. He loves spending time with his Family and Friends and he has lived in Nebraska most if his life and loves the area. 

Curriculum Specialist

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Curriculum Specialist

Phone: (531)299-6706

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

MA in Special Education, UNO. BA in Secondary Education, UNO.

Mr. Jason Brannen

Special Education, Art, PE, JROTC

Mr. Brannen has been at Bryan since 2003.  In the 18 years he has been at Bryan he has taught social studies, study skills, and co-taught social studies, English, and science. He has also coached various sports- football, girls and boys basketball, baseball and golf.

"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else." -Margaret Mead

Curriculum Specialist

Phone: (531)299-6707

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

TESOL Certificate, UNO, 2010 M.A. Language Teaching, UNO, 2010 B. A. Secondary Education, endorsements in English & ESL, UNK, 2001

Mrs. Natalie Peterson

English, ELL, World Languages

Ms. Peterson has worked in OPS since 2004, and at Bryan High since 2012. A Bellevue, Nebraska native, she is an avid traveler and loves to study languages, cultures, and brain research.

Curriculum Specialist

Phone: 5312996694

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Doctor or Education in Educational Leadership University of Nebraska at Omaha 2021 Master of Education in Leadership in Teaching and Learning  Midland University 2016 Masters of Arts in Communication, University of Nebraska at Omaha 2012 Bachelor of Science of Education; Language Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha 2002

Dr. Katie McWilliams

Social Studies, Academic Data Representative, Test Site Coordinator, AP/DE Coordinator 

Dr. McWilliams has been a Bryan Bear since 2002 when she started her career as an English teacher. Over the last 20 years, Dr. McWilliams has not only taught but also had the pleasure of working with student council. Their mission has been to celebrate all that is wonderful about Bryan High School. In 2021, she completed her doctorate degree by researching the importance of "School Identity," which she aims to apply to her beloved school!

Curriculum Specialist

Phone: (531)299-6705

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

MS- Educational Leadership and Supervision BS- Human Resources and Family Sciences

Mrs. Mary Miller

Business, CTE, FCS and Academies Specialist

Mrs. Miller been at Bryan since 2003. 10 years as a Family and Consumer Science Teacher before becoming a curriculum/academy specialist. Current role as curriculum specialist includes the career education departments and college and career academies.

Literacy Coach

Phone: 5312996656

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Master of Education in Teaching and Leadership, Midland University, 2016 Bachelor of Science in Education, Endorsement Language Arts 7-12, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2004

Mrs. Jennifer Cuddy

Literacy Coach, AP and Dual Enrollment Coordinator, Academic Intervention Coordinator, and National Honor Society Sponsor

Jennifer Cuddy has been with Bryan High School since 2004. She taught a variety of English and Reading classes during her teaching tenure, including English 1-8, Poetry Study, Creative Writing, AP Language, AP Literature, and Literacy Skills. When she's not with her Bryan family, she is cherishing time with her spouse, Charlie, four children, Josie, Jacquie, Penny, and Cash, and their dog Darby.

“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society...Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.” ~Kofi Annan

Freshman Lead Teacher

Phone: 5312996675

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education - UNL 2010 Masters in Literacy - UNO 2017

Mrs. Ashlee Clements

This is Mrs.Clements' 11th year in education, and her second year at Bryan High.She has previously taught elementary and middle school, but loves the high school setting the most! She is excited about her new role this year and supporting the Freshman Academy teams. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their son, Cameron, coaching volleyball, watching sports, and reading.

Director of Counseling

Phone: (531)299-6665

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Master of Science in Educational Leadership, Creighton, May 2020 Master of Science in School Counseling, Creighton, May 2004 Bachelor of Science in Education, Mathematics, UNO, December 1992

Mrs. Jeannie Simmons

Mrs. Simmons has been at Bryan since 2010 as school counseling director. Previously, she was a records counselor at Northwest from August 2004 - 2010. Prior, she was a Math teacher at North High School from August 1996 -2004
"Do or do not, there is no try" - Yoda