*Editor’s Note: Classes resume for the 2024-25 school year at Callaway Public School one week from today. We realize there may be families who are new to the Callaway school district, or have kiddos starting to school for the first time. Knowing the people you are choosing to leave your children with for eight hours a day can help bring a little bit of peace of mind in the midst of the chaos. Last week we took an opportunity to get better acquainted with Superintendent JD Furrow. This week we feature the other two CPS administrators.

Brittany Jesseph serves as the Callaway Public School elementary principal. She grew up on a farm south of Gothenburg, and said she knew since she was in elementary school that she wanted to go into education someday.

“It was always my dream to become a teacher. My grandmother let me set up a classroom in her house where I spent many hours practicing to become a teacher,” Jesseph shared. “After many years of teaching, my passion for curriculum, behaviors, and data driven research teaching methods guided me to pursue educational leadership in addition to a push from my administrators at the time. I love to work with students and teachers to help make the educational experience positive and impactful to the highest level.”

Jesseph earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-8 with a minor in social science from Chadron State College. She then went on to earn her first master's degree in early childhood birth-8, and her second master’s in education administration from Concordia University.

Prior to becoming an administrator, Jesseph taught first grade and fifth grade. She said choosing to begin her administrative career in Callaway was not a hard decision.

“Callaway is an amazing community. It is very welcoming. They want the best for their community and are willing to work together to make it happen,” said Jesseph. “The school's environment and teachers' passion for their students is unique. The students and the staff here allow me to love my job. The collaboration and willingness to solve issues is a great strength. My goal is to make the educational journey for students positive and impactful to the fullest and the staff at Callaway have that same goal.”

Brittany and her husband Andy have three kids. I am married to my husband Andy. Alaric graduated this last year, and Axtyn and Addisyn both attend Gothenburg High School.

“They keep us busy with football, volleyball, basketball, and track. We love every minute of watching them do what they love,” said Jesseph. “In my free time I enjoy golfing, time at the lake, traveling, and spending time with my family.”

Heath Birkel grew up in Columbus and said he knew in high school that he wanted a career in education. “I had some teachers who impacted me, and I knew I wanted to work with kids and make a difference in their lives.”

Birkel attended UNK where he earned a bachelor's degree in social science and later a master's in administration.

“I have taught weights, PE, science, social studies and alternative education,” he shared. “I felt like I could use my leadership skills to help as an educator leader, so I decided to pursue my master's in administration.”

When asked what made him choose Callaway, Birkel responded, “Ryan Hogue was the AD at Broken Bow before moving to Kearney, he encouraged me to apply here. I applied and my family and I drove up over Easter before the interview to tour the community and we fell in love with Callaway!”

Heath is married to Amy, his wife of 20 years, and they have three children: Maggie who just graduated and will be attending the college of hair design in Lincoln this fall, Aubrie will be a junior at Callaway, and Reid will be a 7th grader.

“We have a dog, Aspyn. I am an avid outdoorsman who loves to spend time outside hunting and fishing,” he added.