Dr. Todd Rhodes
The North Platte Public School District, Board of Education, and Community would like to welcome Dr. Todd Rhodes as the next superintendent of schools. Dr. Rhodes brings with him a ‘we, not me’ attitude and will continue to focus on the current growth mindset initiatives that are in place.
No stranger to North Platte, Dr. Rhodes served as Adams Middle School and North Platte High School principal from 2006-2013. Before joining the NPPS family, Dr. Rhodes taught social sciences and coached at Benedict High School, in Benedict Nebraska. Since then, he has climbed the ranks from Bruning, Shelton, Sidney, and North Platte to the superintendent of schools at Maxwell and Gothenburg Public Schools most recently. While honing his leadership skills through state-wide organizations and serving as superintendent, Dr. Rhodes completed his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Doane University in 2019.
Dr. Rhodes has been married to his wife Darlene for 28 years. Darlene is a Kindergarten teacher at Maxwell. They have four children: Mika (26), Kylan (24), Kiera (21), and Carson (18). Mika, Kylan, and Kiera are graduates of North Platte high school. In a recent interview, “Dr. Rhodes said he and his family are extremely excited for the opportunity to come back to the North Platte community.” Rhodes went on to add, “I look forward to spending time in the buildings and getting to know our teachers and staff.”
Dr. Rhodes has expressed his desire and ambition to lead North Platte Public Schools as we continue to grow each student, staff, and community member academically, professionally, emotionally, and as a community.
The district is excited to forge the roads ahead with a leader willing to pick up the reins and move us to the next level. Welcome Home, Dr. Rhodes. We are excited to have you back.
Erica Johnson
North Platte Public Schools announces the next Director of Special Education, Mrs. Erica Johnson, with excitement and great privilege. Erica brings a depth of academic knowledge to take the NPPS Special Education Department to the next level. She is currently in her 8th year of educational leadership and 18th year of education. She has special education experiences during her tenure, including resource teacher, secondary special education coordinator, and assistant special education director.
While attending Doane University, Mrs. Johnson obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master of Education in Education Leadership, and an Education Specialist degree. In a recent statement, Mrs. Johnson said, “by pursuing lifelong learning, I intend to be an example to students and staff that we should never stop growing, learning, and challenging ourselves to be better.”
Mrs. Johnson is a self-described blessed mother of two incredible children, Lexi (15) and Lathan (9), and a wife of an amazing husband, Mike. She and her family love working with cows, showing cattle, playing board games, and watching The Masked Singer. She loves watching her daughter compete in pageants in her spare time and spending Sundays cheering on the Dallas Cowboys with her son.
Mrs. Johnson went on to add, “my goal is to continue to provide a supportive climate and culture that is conducive to teaching all students. By doing so, each individual student and staff member can experience growth to their highest potential. I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders in the North Platte community next school year!”
Mrs. Johnson will join the North Platte Public Schools team on July 1, 2022.
Allison Goodenow
North Platte Public Schools is excited to announce the new principal of Lake Elementary, and the principal supervising the NPPS preschool classrooms is Mrs. Allison Goodenow.
Mrs. Goodenow graduated from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, in the winter of 2014. Since then, she has worked as a Social Worker, a teacher at a Juvenile Correctional Facility, and a classroom teacher in the public school system. The past four years, she has served on several committees, obtained a Masters in Administration, been a part of the NextGen Leadership Academy, and coached both 7th and 8th-grade girls basketball and volleyball.
Mrs. Goodenow states, “I admire the culture and positive environments I have worked in between Buffalo Elementary and Lincoln Elementary. Though I will miss being inside the classroom as a teacher, I am beyond excited to start this new journey at the administrative level.”
Mrs. Goodenow lives in Arnold, Nebraska, with her husband and three beautiful children; the oldest son Bo, who is six, daughter Oliana, who is two, and her youngest son Kenny who is six months old. The Goodenow family is excited to welcome another precious child into their family at the beginning of June. “You may often find us camping, hiking, or kayaking down the river during the summer times. We love the outdoors and doing just about anything active,” stated Goodenow. The Goodenow family loves cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in just about every sport. The family is divided between the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos during professional football season.
“I am excited and blessed to have been given the opportunity to become a part of the Lake Maloney Elementary as their new principal, as well as the principal supervising the NPPS preschool classrooms. I look forward to building relationships with the staff, parents, and students in the Lake and Buffalo families during the 2022-2023 school year,” states Goodenow.
Mrs. Goodenow believes in the mission of NPPS; to prepare all students to be productive, responsible citizens in a safe, caring, and supportive learning environment. She stated, “it is my mission to make sure we as a team are providing that opportunity for all of our students.”
Welcome to the North Platte Public Schools administrative team, Mrs. Goodenow.
Cory Spotanski
We want to introduce Cory Spotanski as the next High School Principal at North Platte High School. A native of Loup City, NE, Mr. Spotanski completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 7-12 Physical Sciences and a Masters of Arts in Education Administration through the University of Nebraska - Kearney. Currently, he is working on an Education Specialist Degree with Doane University and will graduate in December of 2022. In 2018, he was selected as the Region IV outstanding new principal, and he currently serves as the president of the same Region.
Cory’s first teaching position, in the spring of 2003, was in the Alief School District of Houston, Texas. For the next nine years, he was employed by Lexington High School as a high school science teacher and coach. Following his time in Lexington, he was employed by Cozad Community Schools for one year as a middle school science teacher. In the Fall of 2013, he served as the Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Cozad for four years. At the conclusion of the current school year, Cory will have served the Elm Creek School District as the 7-12 Principal and Activities Director for five years.
Cory believes education is the most important profession, and it takes committed individuals passionate about doing what is best for all students to fulfill this calling. He leads with ethics and integrity, and he credits his mentors for helping him grow into the instructional leader he is today. Over the next few months, he plans to visit the NPPS district and get to know the support staff, teachers, counselors, administrators, and students at NPHS. Mr. Spotanski is thrilled to become a part of the Bulldog Family and work with the staff and students to create a culture where everyone is valued for who they are and supported to improve each day.
Cory and his wife Michelle have three children: Aaliyah (21), Brady (17), and Nyla (11). Their family is excited to attend community events and become involved in a variety of area organizations. Being positively involved in the lives of the students and families in the community they serve is essential to their family.
Welcome to the North Platte Public Schools team, Mr. Spotanski.
Jimmie Rhodes
I am currently in my 20th year in education. The last 7 years have been spent as the Activities Director at Mitchell Jr/Sr High School in the panhandle of NE. Prior to my position as AD I served 11 years as a teacher and Coach with Gering Public Schools. My coaching experience includes stints at both the High School and college level. This includes Head Varsity Football, Wrestling, and Track and Field at the High School level and assistant Football and Track at Dickinson State University, Mayville State University (football), and Chadron State College (football).
In my time as the Activities Director my goal has always been to use my passion for athletics and student involvement in extracurricular activities to strengthen the programs we offer to our students. I believe participation in extracurricular activities helps develop well-rounded young leaders. I am a service based leader who strives to build relationships by working side by side with coaches and staff for the success of all programs.
I am active in organizations across the state. I have been a member of the Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association for 3 years and serve on the board of directors. I have been on the board of the Western Nebraska All-Star football game for the past 7 years and have been a member of the Nebraska Coaches association for 18 years.
My wife Kamie and I have 2 children, Dax and Jacee. We are very excited to be part of the Bulldog family.
Jami Allen
Jami Allen graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a BA in Education in 2005, starting her education career at Elwood Public Schools. Her next educational step was to earn an MA in English from Fort Hays State University. Over the course of her career, she has taught at both the secondary and college levels, with her most recent task being to earn her administrative certificate. She will finish her P-12 certification with the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in May 2022. Mrs. Allen has been with the North Platte Public School district for the past nine years, most recently filling the role of Instructional Facilitator. She notes, “I am beyond excited for this new opportunity, and I know we have so many great elements to both showcase and continue to grow at the high school. I look forward to being a part of the great things happening in North Platte.”
In her free time, Jami loves to read, spend time with her family, and travel. Mrs. Allen’s step-daughter, Emilee, currently attends Adams Middle School, and her son Reed attends Eisenhower Elementary. Her husband, Kris, works as a Diesel Mechanic at Akrs Equipment Group in North Platte. As a member of the community, Jami recognizes the importance and value of the public school system and holds the mission of NPPSD in high esteem.
John Byrn
My name is John Byrn. I will be rejoining the administrative team as an Associate Principal at North Platte High School next fall. Previously, I worked for NPPSD for 17 years as an Alternative Education Middle School Teacher at Adams and Madison, Dean of Students at Madison, Principal at Jefferson Elementary, an Assistant Principal at NPHS, and most recently Principal at Ogallala High School.
I am originally from Lawrence, KS. My wife Shelly and I moved to North Platte in 2002 along with our two children Samantha and Bryce. I played collegiate baseball at Butler County Community College in Eldorado, KS, and then at the University of Kansas. After my eligibility in baseball was completed, I enrolled and graduated from Emporia State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Education with an endorsement in K-12 Physical Education. While at Madison Middle School, I began my administrative work and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with an M.A.E. in 2014 in Secondary Education. I added the PK-6 endorsement in 2016, while working as the Principal at Jefferson Elementary School in North Platte.
In addition to my return to NPHS, my wife Shelly will be joining the Eisenhower Elementary staff as a physical education teacher. We are both very excited to return and serve the students of North Platte Public Schools.
