Jean Steen, a Wayne, Nebraska native came to rural Sutherland in August 2022. She, her husband, Jordan and their 4 children: Winora, 10; Cooper, 8; Beau (almost) 3; and Tate about to recognize his first birthday, make their home near City View Farms, some of the most picturesque country in O’Brien County. Jordan is a native of the Garner, Iowa area, lived in the O’Brien County area and returned in 2022 with the family. He owns “Six Gun Diesel Performance and Repair.
Jean grew up in Wayne and received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State College. She student taught at Elkhorn (Nebraska) Public Schools, near Omaha. Following college she accepted a fulltime position with Elkhorn Public Schools where she taught elementary school for six years. She returned to Wayne. There she continued teaching Special Education in the elementary school. She spent 2 more years as Assistant Elementary Principal and Special Education Coordinator with Wayne Community School District. During this time she added course work to earn a second Master’s Degree. She will complete her final course at the end of June 2023 in School Administration, also from Wayne State.
The bond issue was a big issue within the South O’Brien Community School District since Steen has moved here. The bond issue passing on the first vote was “really encouraging by the community support,” said Steen. “People doing what’s best for kids is really exciting,” she continued. When the Elementary Principal position opened up at South O’Brien she applied. Her first official day is Monday July 3.
Since her hiring, Steen has been given a tour of the South O’Brien elementary building. She met with almost all staff 1-on-1. She got a feel for their needs, what’s good and what has the potential for change. She said, “It was a great opportunity to get to know so many both personally and professionally.”
“I’m really excited about this opportunity. I look forward to serving the community in this capacity. I’m ready to get to work for the community of South O’Brien,” she said.