Kearney Public Schools (KPS) is thrilled to announce the initial staffing appointments for the highly anticipated Cottonwood Elementary School, set to open its doors for the 2026-2027 academic year. The administration has successfully assembled a dedicated team of experienced educators and support staff who are eager to establish a strong foundational culture for the new school community.
The selection process focused on identifying individuals who demonstrate a commitment to innovative teaching practices, student-centered learning, and collaborative professional development. The full roster of appointments include:
Principal:
Classroom Teachers:
Kindergarten – Jorden Temme
1st – Cindy Pawloski
2nd – Marissa Kalb
3rd – Jenny Knipping
4th – Jody Dellevoet
5th – Jordan Fuehrer
Behavior Teachers:
Mattie Traphagan
Amelia Moore
Therapists:
Jesse Florang
Becca Carstensen
Specialist Teachers:
PE – Trey Schlender (shared with Windy)
Music – Grace Rosenau (shared with Windy)
Media – Mary Roesler (shared with Kenwood)
Art – Hailey Hanneman (shared with Kenwood)
Secretary:
Angie Holmes
Cottonwood Elementary Principal Kyle Heilbrun expressed his enthusiasm for the new team. “The energy and passion this inaugural staff brings to Cottonwood are palpable. We’ve worked hard to bring together a group of educators who are not just experts in their subjects, but who genuinely believe in building a supportive, engaging, and excellent learning environment from the ground up. We are ready to set a new standard for elementary education in Kearney, and I am incredibly proud of the team we have assembled to achieve that vision.”
Cottonwood Elementary will hold an official dedication ceremony and open house event later this year, providing the community with an opportunity to meet the staff and tour the state-of-the-art facility. Details regarding these events will be shared on the KPS website and social media channels in the coming months.
“Cottonwood represents an important step forward in how we serve every student in Kearney Public Schools,” said Jason Mundorf. “As a non-traditional school, it allows us to meet students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally, while providing the flexibility and support they need to thrive. We are highly confident Mr. Heilbrun and his dedicated staff will create the structure, support, and environment needed to reshape problematic behaviors and responses. This innovative approach creates new pathways for success and ensures that every child has the opportunity to grow, connect, and transition confidently back into a traditional school setting when they are ready. Furthermore, this will protect the instructional environment and learning opportunities for students in traditional classroom settings. Cottonwood Elementary is one of the most important educational launches we’ve had in Kearney Public Schools, and we look forward to the tremendous benefits it will bring to our K-5 students and classrooms!”
