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    April Teachers of the Month

Jody Nutter

Jody is a Physical Education and Health teacher at South High school and has been teaching for 13 years. Her love of coaching track and field  inspired her to become a teacher. She saw the positive impact that teachers and coaches have on students lives and how it motivates them to do their best. Her favorite classroom moments are when students are engaged with the material and a passion to learn is sparked. Her advice to parents would be to talk with your kids every night because engaging in conversations is important and it fosters positive relationships. As our children navigate life and run into obstacles, the open communication that we have with them is an incredible resource as they strategize ways to find success.  

Ann Marie Morris 

Ann Marie is an art teacher at South Middle school and has been teaching for eight years. Before becoming a teacher she was an art museum educator. Ann Marie was inspired to become an art teacher because of her elementary art teacher, Mr. Elo who made learning art a lot of fun. Ann Marie feels light in her heart when her students tell her how proud they are of their progress on the projects they have created. She wants her students to think of themselves as creative problem solvers. Her message to the parents and community is to thank you for supporting the fine arts and music programs in our schools. Studies have shown how beneficial they are for students in academic achievement, creativity and for critical thinking. 

Sarah Byarlay

Sarah is an English teacher at Central High school and has been teaching for six years in the district. This is her second year teaching at Central High School. Sarah always wanted to be a teacher growing up and was able to achieve this during her time in the military. She strives to serve as a safe space for her students and hopes that her class is a place where everyone feels respected, loved, and supported above all else. Sarah enjoys sharing her passion for literature and how it affects our understanding of the world around us. She enjoys seeing her students succeed and achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Her message to parents and the community is to help educators show our students that they are valued and capable in every aspect of their lives. Our words matter. 

Regina Bicknell

Regina is a Science teacher at Lakewood Middle School. Regina has been teaching for 21 years, this is her first year at Lakewood. While majoring in Chemistry and Biology at Bethany College she was inspired by her college advisor, Dr. England, to go into education and teaching. Regina’s favorite part of teaching is watching students grow, improve and experience success throughout the school year. Her message to parents is to do everything you can to help your child remain curious about the world around them. All kids are natural scientists - encourage this throughout life. 

March Teachers of the Month
 

Jessica Harris

Jessica is an art teacher at South High School and has been teaching for 23 years. She says that when she was a student at South High, she had an amazing art teacher and was inspired when given the opportunity to teach younger art students. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing all of the different ways her talented students visually solve problems. She loves that she can give them the same instructions, yet they develop such unique and inventive ways to approach their projects. Her advice to parents and the community is to stay involved with our young people.
 

Jennifer Boyles

Jennifer is a math teacher at South Middle School and has been teaching for 19 years in the district. This is her first year at South Middle School. Jennifer has always known that she wanted to work with kids. Many of her teachers growing up made the job look enjoyable. She loves making connections with students and being able to catch up with them later in life. Her message is to find the good in all of the students and push them to do their best every day. 
 

Mason Frost

Mason is an algebra teacher at Central High school and has been teaching for 2 years. Mason’s knack for math led him to become a teacher and was inspired by his mother, a teacher too. His favorite part of teaching is seeing a student’s hard work pay off and the moments when they understand something new. His message to the community is to always be ready to learn from those around you.
 

Callie Windholz

Callie is an English teacher at Lakewood Middle School and has been teaching for 7 years. Callie chose to become a teacher because she enjoys building relationships with students and helping them reach their full potential. She always enjoys seeing her students find success both academically and in their extracurriculars. Callie’s message is that the support and encouragement schools receive from the community is appreciated. 

February Teachers of the Month
 

Nikki Chamberlain

Nikki is a Special Education Gifted facilitator at South High School and has been teaching for 21 years. She splits her time between South High and South Middle schools. Nikki became a teacher to make a difference. She enjoys working with students and their families to help them plan for their futures. Nikki says that she wishes parents and community members could witness the amazing things that happen in our schools. School staff care deeply about your children and want, more than anything, for them to succeed!
 

Kennedy Elliot

Kennedy is a special education teacher at South Middle School and has been teaching for three years. This is her second year at SMS. Inspired by her own teachers, Kennedy made the decision to become a teacher herself. She enjoys watching students grow and improve. She also loves the team of teachers and paras she works with each day. Kennedy says that she has loved getting to become a part of the Salina community as she is from Oklahoma. 

Guillermo Rodriguez

Guillermo is the band director at Central High school and has been teaching for 7 years. Guillermo also teaches 5th grade and middle school band. His high school band director provided him the opportunity to tutor younger band students and after his first lesson, Guillermo knew that teaching music is what he wanted to do. He loves to see the pride in his students when they accomplish a task. Guillermo says to celebrate student achievements and encourage involvement in the many great programs offered in our schools.
 

Michelle Smith

Michelle is a math teacher at Lakewood Middle School and has been teaching for 13 years. When Michelle was in high school, her math teacher Dan Cerny helped her find a love for math which eventually led her to teach. Michelle’s favorite part of teaching is building relationships with her students and watching them grow, both in their math skills and in their character. Michelle’s advice for parents is to be involved as our children are the future and it's our job to help them grow. 

January Teachers of the Month
 

Brittany Kisner

Brittany is an English teacher at South High School and has been teaching for 12 years. She says that she has wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. Both of her parents were teachers and they inspired her to teach as well. Her favorite part of teaching is the students. She loves building connections and giving them a sense of safety and belonging in the classroom. Brittany says that her students never cease to surprise her.
 

Todd Robinett

Todd is a family and consumer sciences teacher at South Middle School and has been teaching for 7 years. This is his third year at SMS. Todd enjoys helping people and by becoming a teacher, he has been able to witness the amazing moments in the classroom when students reach the goals they’ve set. Todd says that support for our schools from families and the community is always appreciated. 
 

Angela Botz

Angela is a math teacher at Central High school and has been teaching at CHS for 3 years. Angela loves helping students learn and reach their potential. Two teachers at CHS, Julie Opat and Marysa McCartney, inspired her to become a teacher. Angela’s favorite part of teaching is the “a-ha” moment, when a student understands or learns something new. Angela says that anything you can do to encourage a student can make a big difference in their education and in their lives. 

Michaela Kroeker

Michaela is a reading teacher at Lakewood Middle School and has been teaching for 8 years. This is her 5th year at LMS. Michaela became a teacher to help students find their passion and was also inspired to teach by her own teachers and her father who was a teacher as well. Michaela enjoys getting to know her students and their interests. Michalea says that she appreciates the active role parents and the community take in the education of Salina students.
 

December Teachers of the Month
 

Charlie Todd

Charlie is a math teacher at South High School and has been teaching for 12 years. He became a teacher because he wanted to have a meaningful impact on his community and because he enjoys math. His personal experience at SHS as a student was also a major inspiration. He enjoys seeing his students work through difficult problems and seeing them work through new ways of thinking. Charlie says that the role of an educator is a significant one in many lives and that he does not take it for granted. He thanks everyone in the Salina community for the opportunity to make a difference.
 

Darrel Dees

Darrel is a music teacher at South Middle School and has been teaching for 35 years. This is his second year as a full time teacher at SMS where he teaches choir and general music classes. Darrel became a teacher with the hope that he could help students learn and grow into young adults. He enjoys watching them become more confident in themselves. Darrel says that compassion is important and to always try and help the people around us. 
 

Kevin Patrick

Kevin is a science teacher at Central High school and has been teaching for 28 years. When Kevin was in high school, he had a teacher who encouraged him to consider a teaching career. Kevin has always enjoyed helping people understand complex ideas. His favorite part of teaching is building a relationship with every student and watching them come up with creative solutions to problems. He believes that he makes an important impact on students every day when he leads by example and strives to create a positive and inspiring environment where each student can excel.
 

Rebecca Stone

Rebecca is a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Lakewood Middle School and has been teaching for 3 years. She became a teacher to have a positive impact on future generations and teach life skills to the students in our community. Rebecca loves that she got to come back to the same district she grew up with and teach in the same classroom that inspired her as a young student. Rebecca says that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings, parents need to be an active part of their children’s education too. 

November Teachers of the Month
 

Justin Ebert

Justin is a social studies teacher at South High School and has been teaching for 16 years. He was blessed with incredible mentors as teachers in his high school experience. One teacher, Mr. Chris Barkley, inspired him to teach and be a leader. Justin enjoys the relationships he builds with fellow staff, parents and students. Justin’s advice for the community is to communicate with your children about expectations for their schooling, to attend school events, and to be an active participant in your child’s education.
 

Jeff Vogt

Jeff is a social studies and science teacher at South Middle School and has been teaching for 16 years. This is his 3rd year at SMS. Jeff was inspired to teach by his own teachers and coaches when he was in high school. His dad also encouraged him to become a teacher. Jeff enjoys working with students to help them see a purpose for what they are learning and to see them succeed in different ways. He says that staying involved and providing support for students is important to their education. 
 

Jennifer Buchholz

Jennifer is a Special Education Science teacher at Central High School and has been teaching for 26 years. This is her 24th year with CHS. Growing up, becoming a teacher was something Jennifer knew she wanted to do. Her elementary school teachers were really great and her 3rd grade teacher especially stood out for her patience and kindness. Jennifer enjoys getting to know her students and watching them mature and grow into capable adults. Jennifer says that staying involved in your student’s education during high school is just as important as it is during elementary school.
 

Chelsey Crawford-Cline

Chelsey is an 8th grade U.S. History teacher at Lakewood Middle School and has been teaching for 2 years. She became a teacher because she has always enjoyed history and after 10 years of working in health care, sharing her passion for history seemed like the logical and fun choice. She enjoys building relationships with students and watching them grow throughout the year. Chelsey says that the teachers in our schools appreciate the support and assistance that schools receive from parents and the community as it helps contribute to the success of our students.

 

October Teachers of the Month
 

Shelby Mann

Shelby is a chemistry teacher at South High School and has been teaching for five years. For as long as she can remember, she has wanted to be a teacher. Her high school chemistry teacher was amazing at making the class challenging, fun, and engaging. She loves building relationships with students and watching them excel in their extracurricular activities. Shelby thanks the community for their support for, there is no other place she would want to work.
 

Kathy Clark

Kathy is a science teacher for 6th graders at South Middle School and has been teaching for 16 years. She has always felt a calling to be involved in education and thoroughly enjoys getting to know her students. She enjoys helping them discover that learning can be fun. Kathy says that parents are the very first teacher a child has and are responsible for instilling a love of learning and discovery at an early age. Staying involved throughout their educational career is also important for their future. 
 

Trey Cullins

Trey is an English Teacher at Central High School and has been teaching for five years. Growing up, most of his role models and mentors were teachers who have inspired a passion for education in him. His favorite part of being a teacher is leading his students through challenging texts to learn not just about others, but also aspects of themselves. Trey says that he is a better teacher and better person because of his time at USD 305 and is excited to continue giving back to the community that raised him. 
 

Eryn Koons

Eryn is a reading teacher at Lakewood Middle School and has been teaching for 14 years. Eryn chose teaching as her profession because she loves helping students learn and build relationships along the way. Her favorite part of teaching is getting to know the students and seeing them grow to become wonderful young adults. Eryn says it is thanks to the continued support of the community that schools are able to encourage students to become responsible and respectful members of their school and their town. 
  

September Teachers of the Month
 

Cameron Magnall

Cameron is a roving teacher at South High School and has been teaching for nine years. This is his second year as a roving teacher and enjoys the variety his position brings as well as the opportunity to engage with a large percentage of SHS students. He was inspired to become a teacher by his parents who were both teachers. Cameron says that USD 305 and SHS have been great places to work and the community should be proud of the schools.
 

Tabetha Deines

Tabetha is an English teacher for 6th graders at South Middle School. This is her second year of teaching and her first year at SMS. Teaching has always been Tabetha’s dream and when she was younger, she would pretend to be her little brother’s teacher. Her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with students and watching them grow throughout the year. Tabetha says thank you to everyone who has supported her and that it has been great to be both a student and teacher in the district.
 

Kira Gilbert

Kira is a Spanish Teacher at Central High School and has been working in education for 18 years. She started out as a paraeducator with the district before becoming a teacher. Kira always knew that her vocation was to be a teacher with a classroom full of good energy where all students could feel welcome. The students she worked with as a paraeducator inspired her to become a teacher and continue to inspire her every day. Kira says that by highlighting the strengths and improving upon any areas of weakness, we can help our students succeed and become the best versions of themselves.
 

Jesse Smith

Jesse is the Music and Guitar teacher at Lakewood Middle School and has been teaching for 15 years. This is his 5th school year with LMS. Jesse was inspired to become a teacher by his music teachers who provided him with opportunities in and outside of the classroom when he was growing up. His favorite part of teaching is helping the students work through a tough problem or to realize their potential. Jesse says that it is important for families and community members to be involved as positive support for their students.