Pierce Welcomes New Staff Members
Pierce Elementary Welcomes Michelle Matuska with Open Arms
By Naomi Sullivan
Pierce Elementary School welcomes Michelle Matuska, who is a new paraprofessional. Matuska was a short term substitute teacher last year, which is how she realized that she wanted to become a paraprofessional to help kids in the school.
Matuska is originally from Pierce, graduating in the class of 2004. She is the definition of bleeding blue. Matuska attended college in Blair, which was Dana College.
Matuska has three children who all attend school at Pierce: a fourth grader, Lily, a second grader, Layla, and a kindergartener, Lawson.
Matuska works with the majority of the grade levels at the school and enjoys each and every one of them. Matuska works with both Lisa Jones in the morning and Marika VonSeggern in the afternoon.
Matuska's hobbies outside of school are golfing and fishing with her kids, and she is a hobby farmer with many animals like goats, geese, cows, etc.
A picture perfect day for Matuska at school would be to see all the kids working hard and accomplishing all their tasks. She enjoys helping the fourth graders with their math homework, and she feels she is a great support to the kids.
Matuska is most excited about being involved with all the activities that go on at Pierce, like parades and pep rallies.
Matuska is most excited about being able to support kind and smart kids.
Pierce Elementary School Welcomes a New Face to the Education Department
By Charlie Miller
Pierce Elementary is glad to announce a new face in the education department, Elly Herley. She is a first-grade teacher and a speech assistant coach.
To give a little background on Herley, she originated from Clearwater and went on to graduate from Wayne State College with a degree in early childhood and special education.
Herley comes from a large family and enjoys spending her free time with friends, family, and her dog.
Herley is looking forward to a good year at Pierce Elementary.
Herley says what she likes best about Pierce Elementary is, “They express a positive sentiment about Pierce. I appreciate its supportive environment and the sense of community it provides.”
A Familiar Face Returns to Pierce
By Zane McKeown
Pierce High School has welcomed back a familiar face this year, Sharen Luhr, who once served as Pierce Elementary’s principal from 2004 to 2013. She has returned to the district as the piano accompanist for the high school music program.
Luhr attended Wayne State College, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees along with an endorsement in administration. While she originally thought she wanted to become a nurse, she discovered her true passion in education while still in high school. She credits her piano teacher for inspiring her to pursue both music and teaching.
Much of her career was spent in Osmond, but Pierce has always held a special place in her heart. “Pierce has always been a well-respected school in northeast Nebraska,” Luhr says. “I feel proud to be returning, and it is my sincere hope that I can provide positive support to the music program at Pierce High School.”
Outside of school, Luhr lives in Norfolk with her husband, Richard. Together they have three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Her return brings not only experience but also a strong love for the Pierce community, and students are excited to have her back in the halls of Pierce High.
Pierce Welcomes Rachel Abler
By Rylee Altwine
Stepping into a new career, former massage therapist Rachel Abler became Pierce High School's guidance office assistant. Abler grew up in Red Cloud, and she enjoys watching new TV shows, reading, and spending time with her family.
Abler’s job at Pierce High School will consist of transcript work, keeping track of credits earned by students, helping students make college decisions, and inputting student information. She also gets the honor of junior high study hall duty.
She has three kids, two boys and one girl. Her sons attend Zion Lutheran school while her daughter spends her day at daycare. In her free time, she likes to watch Husker football and volleyball.
Abler attended Southeast Community College and Omaha School of Massage, achieving an Associate in Business degree and Board-certified licensed massage therapist.
Before coming to Pierce, Abler was a massage therapist for 13 years.
“I joined this profession because I enjoy helping others and guiding them in the right direction,” Abler says.
Former Pierce Student Returns As Second Grade Teacher
By Brody Knox
Pierce Elementary has gained yet another teacher, Brett Tinker, a former Pierce student who graduated in 2020, part of the Covid class. Before teaching, Tinker attended Briar Cliff University, where he earned his degree in education. Currently, he is teaching second grade and coaches junior high football as well as junior high wrestling.
So far, Tinker is enjoying everything that Pierce is throwing at him. His main hobbies include anything sports-related, hence the coaching, as well as golf and fishing every once in a while.
“What I like the most, I would say all the support that I’ve gotten from all the other teachers, they’ve all done a great job of just making me feel welcome, and if there’s anything they can help me out with, they’re the first ones that want to help me out with it,” Tinker comments. “They’ve been a great hope to help get started on my teaching career.”
He is excited for the rest of the year and expects it to go only up.
“My family is very dear to me and near to my heart; they have always supported everything that I’ve done. They’re excited to have me back in the community as well. Family means everything to me,” Tinker says.
Pierce High Welcomes New Staff Member: Allison Blank
By Brynn Schwartz
Pierce High is excited to welcome new staff member Allison Blank to the Bluejay family.
Blank’s childhood consists of her growing up in Pierce before attending and graduating from Norfolk Senior High School. Following high school, she pursued higher education at Northeast Community College, where she earned a degree in behavioral science. With her background, Blank has a strong passion for understanding people and a desire to help students succeed.
When asked what drew her back to Pierce, Blank shares, “I chose to work here because Pierce is my hometown, and I enjoy working in the schools and helping kids.”
Outside of school, Blank enjoys a wide variety of hobbies. She spends her free time practicing photography, reading, and crocheting. On the other end, Blank enjoys the thrilling hobby of axe and knife throwing.
What stands out most to Blank about Pierce High is the closeness of the school community. “I enjoy Pierce High due to it being a smaller school that allows everyone a chance of getting to know each other better.”
