Hays USD 489

Mary Straub has been with USD #489 for 27 years. She currently teaches at Roosevelt Elementary. I am looking forward to having flexibility in my schedule so that I can spend more time with my family, volunteering and traveling. I will definitely miss my students and my colleagues the most. I love having the opportunity to see students develop into strong readers and writers. I also have been lucky to work alongside and develop friendships with many fantastic teachers. One thing that has changed in the field of education is the availability of technology for both educators and students. This has opened up many opportunities to network and learn from educators within and outside our district. My favorite memories are the times I’ve spent connecting with my students as they learn to read and write. There is nothing more amazing than seeing students learn to love books. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Dawn Keil has been with USD #489 for 32 years. She is a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary. What are you most looking forward to about retirement? I am looking forward to doing things in a more relaxed mode…having more time to spend with family, gardening, reading, and cooking. I am also excited about the prospect of traveling in September, something I have not been able to do the past 34 years. What will you miss the most about your job? I will miss the day-to-day interactions with the students. We learn something new together every day! It has truly been a blessing to meet a child on the first day of school, discover their strengths and areas of need, and then have the opportunity to assist in their growth and watch them blossom! What is something that has changed since you started in this field? Technology has definitely changed over the years. When I started, I used a film projector for science movies, which preceded the VCR and DVD players we used later…not to mention You Tube. I copied worksheets on a mimeograph machine, not a copier or printer. The first computers were the dinosaur Apple machines with the green background, which seemed to be “cutting edge” technology. I also used an authentic chalkboard, not the whiteboard or Smartboard of today. What is your favorite memory at USD 489? It’s too hard to pinpoint one memory, but paging through the yearbooks evokes so many. However, I always loved the times when you got to see a little more of a child’s passion….like putting on plays and musicals, Hobby Day, and even the traditional Roosevelt Halloween parade! One memory that does stick out is when we did “The Constitution” play in 5th grade. I recall a 5th grade boy who volunteered to help a nonverbal student with an assistive device so he could have a “voice” in the play. That still warms my heart today. Our kids show so much compassion and inclusion for others. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Today starts our Retirement Campaign...we are sad to see these great folks go..but of course wish them well. Also wishing them much relaxation and less emails! Stay tuned for their individual stories next.. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Tina Albers has been with USD #489 for 15 years!! My favorite thing about working for USD489 are the families. I have awesome families that are always very supportive and ready to pitch in to do what is best for their kiddos. Fun fact: I am going to be a grandma in July! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Dana Stanton has been with USD #489 for 15 years! I love using my talents to support the work we do with the children and families of Early Childhood Connections. Fun Fact: I love genealogy. I can get lost for hours searching for facts about an ancestor. Everybody has a skeleton in their family tree! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Sue Ann Tebo has been with USD #489 for 5 years! My favorite thing: I love what I teach: Life skills. The students are fun, the staff is awesome, and I am grateful to be part of an outstanding school district! A fun fact: I enjoy water skiing, surfing, fishing, and hunting. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Today is National Lunch Hero Day!!! Random tidbit: USD #489 lunch heroes serve approximately 2300-2400 lunches each day! We are forever thankful for our Nutrition Staff!! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Today is National Lunch Hero Day!! Random Tidbit: Our Nutrition Staff serve approximately 500 breakfasts per day!! Thanks for all you do Nutrition Staff! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Amanda Walstrom has been with USD #489 for 5 years! My favorite thing about working for USD 489 is the strong commitment to our students’ education and overall well-being. Everyone, from certified to classified, puts forth a great deal of effort everyday to ensure that students receive a quality education. Fun Fact: I have a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and have taught group exercise classes at both the YMCAs in Wichita and the Center for Health Improvement here in Hays. Although I am currently taking time away while my children are little, I hope to someday attain my personal training certification and resume teaching group fitness. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

There are 3 folks that make the magic happen before the food even gets to the buildings to be cooked for the kids... they plan, order, deliver and organize!!! We would all be lost without Tim Booth, Jamie Boyle & Jessica Younker! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Pamela Grizzell has been with USD #489 for 25 years!! My students are what I love most about my job at USD 489. I love interacting with them and watching them grow academically and socially. My enthusiasm is fueled by their excitement as we share ideas and grow together. They teach me so much! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Leslie Karlin has been with USD #489 for 10 years! My favorite things about working in this district are seeing my students succeed and always learning new things. A fun fact about me is I love dachshunds! Whenever I model writing during writing workshop, my students know it will be about dachshunds. We are adapting fairy tales right now, and my story, based on The Three Billy Goats Gruff, is called The Three Sleepy Dachshunds! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Janel Molleker has been with USD #489 for 15 years! Best thing about working for USD489….. made a lot of new friends and they are like family! Fun Fact about myself…… Previously owned and operated a bingo hall (Lucky Bucks Bingo Hall) for 19 years and closed it 9 years ago… decided to open another one, just a smaller version! The name of it is (The Heritage Eatery & Bingo). #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Kathy Wagoner has been with USD #489 for 30 years! My favorite thing about working for USD 489...the people! Fun Fact: I’ve never received a traffic ticket, but I have had three warnings which I laughed during the whole time the officer talked with me. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Codi Fenwick has been with USD #489 for 5 years! The people in USD489 are amazing. It is enjoyable to work with students, staff and parents. We support and help each other grow. Fun Fact: For 5 of my 10 years in the district, I substituted all across the district from ECC, elementary, middle and high schools, SPED Co-op at TMP and Holy Family as well as secretarial. One day I was changing diapers and bottle feeding at ECC, another day a specials teacher of Art, P.E, Library or Tech Lab and the next day could have been detention supervisor. I am now teaching students that I taught in elementary school. The connection is priceless. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Marci Lisman has been with USD #489 for 15 years!! My favorite thing about working for USD 489 is to see my kids grow. From their first steps, to their first words and then their personality’s blossoming. I also enjoy getting to know the parents and seeing them grow and succeed. Fun fact about myself is that I will be married 30 years this year in August. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Ryan Quimby has been with USD #489 for 5 years! My favorite thing about working for USD 489 is getting the opportunity to build relationships with so many awesome students in the district. I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible whether its hunting, hiking or just getting exercise in different ways. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Holly Creamer has been with USD #489 for 5 years!! My favorite thing about working with USD 489 is the commitment to student achievement and success in all avenues of life! Academic, social/emotional, and most of all relationships. Meeting our kids where they are at and celebrating them each and everyday! A fun fact about myself is I used to work at Disney World when I lived in Florida! I returned to Western Kansas in 2012 where I grew up, to raise our family and I’m so thankful I did! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Brian Schauf has been with USD #489 for 5 years! Favorite thing about USD489: I get to work with so many incredible staff members, and I get to learn something new every day. Fun Fact: I love to cook for my family and friends! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Julie Brown has been with USD #489 for 5 years! I have been blessed to work with amazing colleagues! I was on the Price is Right many, many years ago 😊 #EveryStudentEveryDay489