Jerry Saab, a dean at Omaha South High, is a recurring presence in the school’s halls and is described by students and staff as very helpful and always willing to take time out of his day to assist students and address their needs. This is his first year at South High, but he has worked with students for years prior to this job. He went from being a special education teacher to a dean at an alternative school among others. But Saab didn’t always work with students.
In 2011, Saab was a police officer working for the Bellevue Police Department. Saab said, “I enjoyed being a police officer for a while, but it was a lot of paperwork.” At the end of 2012, Saab resigned from the position.
Saab graduated from Ralston High School in 2006. He was involved in lots of sports in his teens such as football and baseball, which he played in high school and middle school. “Back then, I never thought I would be working with students as a career,” he said.
After his time in high school, Saab said he tried different career paths to include real estate agent. At one point, he also owned his own small business where he would stain wooden decks. Saab eventually started working at a daycare, his first experience of helping children in an educational atmosphere. “At that moment, I could see why people want to work with kids and help them build successful futures.”
Saab went to college for a total of 10 years and majored in several subjects, such as business and criminal justice. He said, “I regret certain classes I took in college because some things don’t directly help my teaching career.” But other than that, he believes college was good for him and help him currently. Saab got married in 2012, around the time he quit the police force. He has five children: three girls and two boys. Naturally, he is good with kids and understands their personalities.
This is Saab’s first year working in a school this large. Before working with South High’s 2,000+ student population, Saab worked in significantly smaller schools with a maximum of 100 to 350 students. He said the change worried him a little at first, but he settled in quickly. He said he knew that there would be students who wouldn’t care for his personality, “but regardless, I am always excited to help students and direct them down the right path to achieve success.”
Saab expressed his appreciation for South High by stating, “The people here are very understanding, and I feel appreciated by the staff.” He also said he loves school events such as sports events, pep rallies and theatre performances. He also urged students to remember that “attitude is everything, so keep a positive attitude throughout the day when interacting with others and completing tasks.”
