I grew up knowing I wanted to be in education, from teaching all the neighborhood kids in my basement as a child, to getting my teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa and beginning my career with the Omaha Public Schools as a student teacher in 1994.  I started teaching junior high at McMillan Magnet Center in 1995 as a 7^th and 8^th grade math teacher and the Magnet Coordinator, as well as working on my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.  In 2005, I moved back to the elementary school scene as a Magnet Facilitator, an Assistant Principal and then an Elementary Principal.  As the principal at Sherman Elementary, I have come full circle, serving the children and parents (some I once had as students!) of the Sherman Community.   I believe all children can learn and serve the students, staff and families at Sherman by building relationships and working to provide a safe, productive learning environment every day.   I am extremely proud to lead the Sherman Shark family!

I am very excited to be joining the Sherman family this school year!  I have worked in OPS for 25 years.  I spent all of those years working at Field Club Elementary.  I was a third grade teacher for 19 years, and EL teacher for one year, and this will be my 6th year as an Instructional facilitator.  I am a prod graduate of Omaha Public Schools.  I graduated from Bryan High School.  After high school, I attended College of St. Mary, where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education.  I took classes at UNO for my EL endorsement.  Then, in 2022, I graduated from Concordia University with my Master's Degree in Education Administration.  I believe in our students and proudly support the OPS mission of preparing all students for success in college, career, and life.  Together--as educators, families, and a community--we can empower our students to achieve greatness.

Nicole.Darnold@ops.org

SCHOOL SUPPORT LIASON