Omaha North High School currently employs 118 educators, each with their own story. Out of the 118 educators, 11 of them are new to the building this year. Many of the first-year teachers have not yet been given the chance to share their stories. 

Ian Holder

Ian Holder is a first year Physical Education teacher, who attended Morehead State University in Minnesota. 

“My main goal of this year is just being consistent and improving every day,” said Holder.  

In Holder’s free time, he likes to train and compete in CrossFit, a fitness program that combines cardio, calisthenics, and Olympic weightlifting exercises to improve strength, endurance, and technique. 

Holder wants to help kids start the fundamentals for a healthy lifestyle. While working on this goal, Holder had to learn patience with each kid.  

“Take it one day at a time. Make sure it is a subject you enjoy and at a place you enjoy enough,” said Holder.  

Allison Knowles

Allison Knowles is a new history teacher who grew up in Omaha. She then attended Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. Knowles student taught at Hastings High School before coming to Omaha North.  

“‘I came to North because I wanted to be a part of an amazing school, but I became a teacher because I looked up to all the amazing teachers I had growing up,” said Knowles. 

 While at first teaching was hectic, over the school year Knowles learned to see the good in each student. In Knowles’ free time, she walks her black lab mix and bakes all diverse types of desserts 

 “I want to see personal and professional growth within myself though this school year,” said Knowles.  

Luke Sims

Luke Sims, a native Nebraskan who graduated from Creighton Prep, is a new freshman seminar teacher. Sims obtained his degree from Wayne State college in Wayne, Nebraska. 

“I hope to reach at least a couple of students and help them want to be in school,” said Sims.  

In Sims’ mind, each day is a new opportunity to teach, learn, and make new connections with all his students. 

“I want to be a teacher because all my old coaches and teachers inspired me and helped me, and I wish to be like that for some kids here,” said Sims. 

Sims helps coach football at Omaha North but outside of school he spends his free time working out and playing Xbox. 

Lora Frecks 

Lora Frecks was not always going to be a teacher. Before becoming a teacher, Frecks was a lawyer for the University of Nebraska Lincoln.  

Frecks chose to “semi-retire “in 2009. When COVID hit in 2020, her brother Andrew Frecks, a math teacher at Omaha North, encouraged Frecks to become a teacher with the mass shortages. Frecks ended up loving the job of subbing and decided to become full-time teacher.  

Frecks teaches different science classes as well as classes in the biomedical pathway. 

While teaching is not a walk in the park, Frecks still enjoys everything in her life.  

“I love my home and being at home with my dog and cat. They [the animals] talk with push buttons, and we go on a lot of long walks together (the cat rides in a backpack). I also enjoy spending time with my honorary granddaughter and a few friends, neighbors, and family members. However, I value my quiet time – especially after a busy day at school,” said Frecks. 

 Jason Kramer

Jason Kramer is a freshman seminar teacher at Omaha North who attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  

“Teaching has taught me to be flexible and more understanding. Each student is different and being able to connect with each student is very important to me,” said Kramer. 

Not all students learn the same and Kramer is very aware of that and wishes to help them find their passion. 

“I hope to help students pick the right academy for them to be successful here at North as well as in College/Trade School and show them the opportunities that are out there to help them,” said Kramer. 

Besides teaching Kramer enjoys spending time with his family, and coaching basketball.  

Richard Marcoux 

Richard Marcoux may be a familiar name for many people because last year Marcoux was a student teacher at Omaha North while he attended Bellevue University.  

 Marcoux decided to teach at Omaha North because he enjoyed the experiences he had as a student at North. He graduated from Omaha North in 2020. Marcoux now teaches U.S. History. He believes that students teaching here in the spring helped him in many ways.  

“I felt like I was prepared for it [the first day], after student teaching at North. It was interesting knowing that this was the start of me actually being an adult,” said Marcoux. 

Marcoux enjoys running and has taken his passion into helping coach the Omaha North cross-country team.