Welcome to the 2018 - 2019 school year!  We are excited to welcome five teachers to NMS. They are talented and entusiastic educators, bringing various professional and personal life experiences with them to NMS.  They will be joining a staff committed to serving the needs of our middle level students and look forward to working with you in making this a year of academic and social success for your students.   

Eric Lechtenberg (Social Studies 7th & 8th) I am originally from the small town of Spencer, Nebraska. After I graduated from West Boyd High School,  I pursued my undergraduate degree from Doane University in Crete, where I played basketball for three years. After graduating from Doane, I took my passion for education to Frankfort, Kansas where I taught social studies and coached junior high boys basketball, as well as helped with other junior high and high school athletics. When I am not in the classroom or on the basketball court, I enjoy spending time with my friends and being outdoors.

Shannon Lynch (MS Family Consumer Science)  I have my Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Family Sciences, and I am working to complete my Masters of Family and Consumer Science Education.  I have attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln for both degrees. I have worked in many roles in the school system, but this will be my first-year teaching full-time.  

My husband, Chris, and I celebrated our 20th year anniversary this past year.  We have two children. My daughter, Cecilly, will be a sophomore in college at UNL, and my son, Henry, will be a senior at Southwest High School this next school year.  We also have three dogs and two cats. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and love spoiling my animals.

 I am looking forward to getting to know the students and their families at the Norris School District.  Please stop in and see me anytime.

Dick Marolf (MS Band)  I am coming out of a brief retirement to teach at Norris as the Middle School band director.  Previously I taught at Scott and Lefler Middle Schools, Lincoln Northeast High School and Norris School Dist. 160 and began my teaching career in Australia. I  am blessed to have been able to, hopefully, provide some moments of musical joy and nourishment, personal guidance and care and at least a little wisdom to current and former students throughout my 38-year career as a music educator in Nebraska.

My family includes:  Dr. Cindy Marolf (biology instructor at NWU and wife of 31 years).  Four children: Dr. Cole Marolf (UNMC), Evan Marolf J.D. of Law (Penn School of Law), Chelsi (G.A. in Biological research UNO, graduate of  Nebr. Wesleyan) and Drew (Senior at Nebraska Wesleyan). All are Norris Alumni.

Among my greatest joys is watching students grow in their musical abilities and understanding the value of teamwork and perseverance in all aspects of life.

Brett Pohl ( English 6th & 7th)  I previously taught 7-12 Language Arts for three years at Silver Lake High School in Roseland, Nebraska. I took a year off from teaching this last school year while my wife did some travel nursing. We spent time in Boise, Idaho and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. I stayed home with our daughter, Cecelia, during this time. We have since added another member to the family, Crosby, who was born June 23rd.

Stacey Troxel (English 6th, Social Studies 7th)  I have been a middle school teacher for 10 years, starting out in Omaha for 3 years and then here at Norris for 7 years.   I then left Norris to stay home with my young children and during that time I began teaching online courses for the University of Nebraska High School, which I still do today. I am proud to be returning to Norris Middle School!   I received my bachelor’s from Concordia University and my master’s degree from Doane College.  My husband and I and 6 children live in Adams and keep busy with the day-to-day moments of raising our family and we enjoy spending time together, especially when we have no agenda to follow!