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New staff members begin year at Osmond Community School

OSMOND — A number of new instructors joined the staff at Osmond Community School for the 2021-22 school year. The new instructors include Abby Simpson, third grade and assistant high school volleyball coach; Vanessa Steinkraus, K-6 music; Candice Gansebom, para-educator; Dillan Wolfgram, health and physical education, and Blake Moen, student teaching and junior high football. Kaylen Tunink, the new business education instructor, is currently on maternity leave and was unavailable for a picture or to provide information.

Abby Simpson

Abby Simpson is the third grade instructor and assistant high school volleyball coach at Osmond Community School. She and her husband, Trent, were just married on Aug. 7 of this year. Trent teaches physical education in Creighton and helps coach junior high football, high school football and junior high track, and is head coach for girls’ basketball. The couple lives in Plainview.

Abby attended college at Wayne State where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. This past July, she graduated from Peru State College with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.

Before coming to Osmond, Abby taught for four years in Schuyler, where she coached high school basketball and junior high and high school volleyball.

Abby says she enjoys golfing, going to the lake, sports, and spending time with family and friends.

“I am excited to be joining such a great staff,” she said. “I’m happy to be back in the area and close to home.”

Vanessa Steinkraus

Vanessa Steinkraus is teaching K-6 music.  She graduated from Osmond High School in 2004 and then received her degree in elementary education from Midland. Vanessa taught at 1-R Elementary in Grand Island before moving back to Osmond. 

“I have enjoyed subbing for the last 10 years in many grade levels/subject areas. Music has always been important to me and something that I enjoy doing, so I am very much looking forward to sharing that with students.

Vanessa’s husband, Allan, works at Aschoff Construction in sales. He also farms and owns cow/calf pairs.  The couple lives on the family farm with their five children: Easton is in sixth grade; Clara, fifth grade; Hudson, third grade; Hazel, kindergarten, and Helen, 1 year old.

“We share the farm with chickens, kitties (too many to list!), and our dog, Vader,” Vanessa said. “I stay busy running to the many activities the kids are involved in. I love watching them do things they love.  If there is any time to spare after all of that, I enjoy baking and decorating cookies, reading, and coloring. 

“I am so excited to be back in the classroom and I can’t wait to see what this year brings!”

Dillan Wolfgram

Dillan Wolfgram is teaching K-12 physical education, and is the head high school boys’ basketball coach and assistant high school football coach.

Dillan grew up in Laurel in a family of four sisters, two younger and two older. His parents are John and Lisa Wolfgram and they both still live and work in Laurel.

Dillan says, “My mom is a kindergarten teacher at LCC, and my dad runs the Tyson hog buying station north of Laurel on Highway 20. My oldest sister, Chelsey Schmit, is the first and second grade teacher at St. Mary’s School in Osmond, while my other older sister, Brittany Wolfgram, is a first grade teacher at Pender Public Schools. Both of my younger sisters are currently attending Wayne State College. Ashley will be graduating...

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