Dr. Kendra Schneider Named New Director of Special Education
Gretna, NE – December 9, 2025

Gretna Public Schools is thrilled to announce Dr. Kendra Schneider as the new Director of Special Education, effective July 1, 2026, following Paul Duin’s retirement. Dr. Schneider has served as Assistant Director since 2021, leading program supervision, compliance, and professional learning initiatives.

“I’m extremely excited to serve as the Director of Special Education for Gretna Public Schools,” Dr. Schneider said. “Paul Duin has been an incredible mentor, and I’m honored to build upon the strong foundation and high-quality programs established by him and Deb Siemers, the previous Director of Special Education. I look forward to working alongside our talented special education team, collaborating with families, and ensuring every student receives the support they need. Gretna Public Schools’ commitment to excellence in special education is evident, and I’m eager to contribute to our continued growth and success.”

Superintendent Travis Lightle added, “We are excited to announce Dr. Schneider as our new Director of Special Education. Her leadership over the last five years has led to positive changes in our district, and our department’s retention rate remains the envy of the state because of it. Dr. Schneider’s experience and genuine dedication to Gretna Public Schools make her the ideal person to continue advancing our programs.”

Dr. Schneider brings more than 20 years of experience in special education and also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She holds a Doctorate and two Master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and is actively involved in statewide initiatives advancing special education.
2 days ago, Gretna Public School District
photo of Kendra Schneider and text reading New Director of Special Education
Mrs. Kuzel’s 2nd grade class is trying out their boat making skills! They crafted boats out of tin foil and are seeing how many pennies they will hold before they sink. The winner was a tie between Kash and Clay at 108 pennies each!
3 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Four students standing around a table with a black tub present with aluminum foil and pennies.
Two students standing around a counter with a black tub present with aluminum foil and pennies.
Three students standing around a counter with a black tub present with aluminum foil and pennies.
Kindness club decorated coffee sleeves for The Beanery today! If anyone goes to purchase a warm beverage the next few weeks, they might be lucky enough to receive some extra holiday spirit from GES kids🥰
8 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students sitting and laying on a gym floor working on an art activity.
Girl holding a coffee sleeve that says You are Loved.
Boy holding a coffee sleeve that says Merry Christmas.
Boy holding a coffee sleeve that says Merry Christmas.
Girls holding a coffee sleeve that is decorated for Christmas.
Girls holding a coffee sleeve that is decorated for Christmas.
Boy holding a coffee sleeve that is decorated for Christmas.
Our 4th grade students of the month for gratitude! Nominated by their peers and teachers for their positive attitudes and genuine thankfulness!
8 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Three students standing in front of a whiteboard that says "Gratitude" while holding certificates.
Mrs. Hirsch's 3rd grade class used Cheez-Its to measure and learn about the area of shapes!
9 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Happy Thanksgiving from Ms. Buffington's Kindergarten class!
15 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students, some sitting, some kneeling, and some standing, along with their teacher in front of an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from our Kindergarten team!!
16 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Three women standing in front of an arch made out of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from our AM and PM preschool classes!
16 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of preschool students wearing turkey hats with adults standing behind them in front of an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Group of preschool students wearing turkey hats with adults standing behind them in front of an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from Mrs. Johnson's 3rd grade class!
16 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students, some kneeling and some standing in front of an arch created out of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from our amazing Pre-K team!
16 days ago, Gretna Elementary
4 women standing around an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Ms. Boeselager's kindergarten class is so ready for Thanksgiving Break!
16 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students kneeling and standing around an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
The 4th graders had an awesome day showing off their talents to us during their Thanksgiving Parade and Flash Mob!
16 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students, many of them wearing black, sitting and standing for a photo in a gym with green walls.
Happy Thanksgiving from Mrs. Kuzel’s 2nd Grade!
16 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students and their teacher standing around a balloon archway decorated for Thanksgiving!

Gretna Public Schools Board of Education Attends 2025 NASB State Education Conference

The Gretna Public Schools Board of Education spent two days at the 2025 NASB State Education Conference—Nebraska’s largest annual gathering for school board leaders. The event provides valuable training and collaboration on key topics such as legislative updates, emerging educational trends, student well-being, school safety, school finance, and effective district governance.

By participating, board members bring back insights that support informed decision-making and strengthen the long-term success of Gretna Public Schools. We appreciate their dedication to professional growth and continued service to our students, staff, and community.

20 days ago, Gretna Public School District
The Gretna Board of Education and Superintendent posing for a picture at the NASB State Conference
a selfie of the Gretna Board of Education at the NASB 2025 State Education Conference
Mrs. Johnson’s 3rd grade WIN group performed a Thanksgiving play for the preschool class!
20 days ago, Gretna Elementary
A boy sits on a stool while smiling next to a younger girl who is standing next to him.
Group of students standing at the front of a classroom holding papers to read while other students sit on the floor around them.
Group of students standing at the front of a classroom holding papers to read while other students sit on the floor around them.
Group of students standing at the front of a classroom holding papers to read while other students sit on the floor around them.
Mrs. Kuzel’s 2nd grade class is hard at work doing research for their “All About” books that they are writing. They have each picked a topic that they are interested in and are using resources on their iPads to learn more about the topic and take notes. They will then compile the notes into an informational book about the topic!
21 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
These awesome 2nd graders from Mrs. Bertolini's class have earned the art gemstone, the golden tech class, and the library award!!! Keep up the great work, 2nd graders!!
22 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of second grade students, some standing, some kneeling, and some standing, holding awards in a school hallway.
Drew and Aiden spent over a month working on their plaster bird masterpieces in art! How cool are these??
24 days ago, Gretna Elementary
A boy holding an eagle created out of plaster and a girl holding an ostrich created out of plaster.
After losing a bet with the 4th grade to see if they could collect enough socks for Socktober,  Mr. Vos had to dye his beard blue. Go Blue Jays!
24 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students standing and sitting in a hallway around a man with a blue beard.
Man smiling wearing glasses while sporting a blue beard.
Man sitting on a chair getting his beard dyed blue with an adult and students watching.
Man smiling wearing glasses while sporting a blue beard.
Group of students posing for a photo by a man sitting in a chair with a blue beard.
Group of students standing and sitting around a man in a chair with a blue beard.
Man with a blue beard sitting on a chair surrounded by 3 kids.
Mr. Vos’s 4th grade class has been studying the Native Americans Plains Indians. They created their own buffalo hides and wrote their life stories using Native American symbols on their buffalo hides as well!
24 days ago, Gretna Elementary
Two boys making designs made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
Group of kids sitting at a table working on designs made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
Three girls sitting at a table working on designs made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
Group of boys holding designs made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
Two boys holding designs made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
Two girls holding designs made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
A girl holding a design made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
A girl holding a design made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.
Three girls holding designs made out of paper bags with drawings on them that resemble buffalo hides.