Meet the Millard North Band Staff!
Ryan Placek - Director of Bands
Mr. Ryan Placek is in his 28th year in education and his eighth as Director of Bands at Millard North High School. His current duties at North include co-conducting Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensembles, and Pep Bands. He also teaches courses in Introductory Music Theory, AP Music Theory, and History of Popular Music in America.
Mr. Placek has conducted many clinics throughout the state and has adjudicated several area music contests and festivals including District Music Contest. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1991. His Master’s degree was earned in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Music Curriculum and Supervision from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In 2004, he was awarded the Nebraska Music Educators Association “Music Educator of the Year” Award. He was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Honorary Band Directors Fraternity in 2015. Recently, Mr. Placek was selected as a Conn-Selmer VIP and will be one of a select number of band directors from around the nation to hold a round table discussion on music education. Recently, he was published in the National Federation of High Schools for his article “Empowering Students in Your Band Program”.
Mr. Placek is an active member of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Education, Nebraska Music Education Association, Phi Beta Mu Honorary Band Director Fraternity, National Band Association, and the National Education Association. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.
Craig Mathis - Associate Director of Bands
Craig Mathis is the Associate Band Director at Millard North High School, a position he has held since 2013. At Millard North, he co-directs a diverse program including the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Varsity and JV Marching Bands, Stage Band, and Pep Bands. He also serves as the Band Director at Ezra and Montclair Elementary Schools within the Millard Public Schools.
​
Prior to his current role, Mr. Mathis was the Director of Bands at Beatrice High School. A proud alumnus of Millard North, he holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
​
Mr. Mathis is a dedicated educator with a proven track record of success. During his tenure at both Beatrice and Millard North, band enrollment has significantly increased. He has spearheaded successful fundraising initiatives, including the highly successful Day of Giving campaigns at Millard North.
​
Mr. Mathis's bands have consistently achieved high levels of excellence. Highlights include two State Championships in Marching Band (2016 – Grand Champions, 2019 – Class AA Champions). All-State participation has tripled at both Beatrice and Millard North under his direction.
​
Mr. Mathis was named the 2023 Nebraska Music Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Music Education Association and received the Jack R. Snider Outstanding Young Band Director Award from the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association in 2018. He has served on the Instrumental Music Leadership Team for Millard Public Schools and as the Public Relations Chair for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association.
​
Mr. Mathis is an Apple Certified Educator and Google Certified Educator (Level 1). In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Joanie, and their two children, Avery and Cori, and cheering on his favorite college football teams.
Allison Goodman - Color Guard Director
​
Allison Goodman became the Color Guard Director at Millard North in 2013. She directs the Fall Color Guard for Marching Band and teaches the Millard North Winter Guards. During her tenure at Millard North, the Color Guard has tripled in size. The Guards have consistently improved placements under Ms. Goodman’s leadership, earning first place in the 2017 HWAA Championships.
In addition to her Color Guard duties, Ms. Goodman teaches Business Classes at Millard North and runs a very successful DECA Program. She has served executive leadership positions with the Nebraska Association of Marketing Educators and was recognized as an outstanding DECA Advisor in 2016 and 2018. Ms. Goodman has also served on the executive leadership board for Heartland Winter Arts Association (HWAA).
Allison Goodman is a 2012 Graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction through Doane University in 2017.
