Hays USD 489

Please Welcome Megan Beiker!! What is your position with USD #489? I am teaching 8th grade English and Language arts at Hays Middle School. Where are you coming from….a little background information would be great! I actually grew up in the Hays area but I move to Hoxie in 2014 to teach 7th, 8th, and 9th grade English/Language arts at Hoxie Jr/Sr. High School. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? So far, everyone I’ve met in the district is so kind and helpful! I can truly feel the camaraderie among the employees in this district. I’m also excited to be a part of the HMS staff and to get to know my colleagues as well as my students and their families. A random tidbit .. My husband and I both grew up in the Hays area but had to move out of the area to finally meet each other! We just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary in July. Together, we have a Boston Terrier named Marvin. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Tomorrow is the first day of school for USD #489. We are excited to see your children. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Samantha Lackey! I will be teaching elementary music at Lincoln Elementary and O'Loughlin Elementary. I am coming from Lindsborg, and will actually be commuting rather than moving! I am most excited to be a part of the music program in Hays, inspiring young students! Random Tidbit.. I love working out and exercising! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Peyton Morlan!! I am teaching 3rd grade at Wilson Elementary and I am transferring from Hays Middle School. I am originally from McClave, Colorado, a very tiny town in the South East corner of the state. I am most excited about teaching at Wilson because they have an incredible, welcoming staff and amazing families to support their great students! I student taught in third grade at Wilson, so it is great to be back in the building with this team! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Kate Hughes!!! I’m going to be teaching 2nd Grade at Roosevelt. My hometown is Council Grove, Kansas but my husband and I moved to Hays from Salina. I received my BA from Kansas Wesleyan University and I taught 2nd grade in Salina for 4 years. I’m excited to continue teaching 2nd grade here in Hays! I am most excited about being able to build relationships within USD489 with the staff, students, and families! Getting to know everyone is one of my favorite parts of teaching! My husband and I have two dogs who we adore! Their names are Rook and Axel. I also come from a ‘basketball family’ and played two years at Kansas Wesleyan University. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Audra O'Reagan!! What is your position with USD #489? English Language Arts at Hays High School Where are you coming from… I graduated high school in Beloit and went to Fort Hays where I got my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology and my certification in addictions counseling. I worked in that field for a few years before returning to Fort Hays and getting my master’s degree in education. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? The past year I worked as a substitute teacher for the district so I am excited to continue being a part of the USD 489 team. Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming, so I am excited to be working alongside such a wonderful group of people. I am also excited to be able to pursue my dreams of teaching English and being as inspiring as my English teachers were when I was in school. A random tidbit …. I have been married to my husband for almost 3 years. We have two beautiful sons; one will be 2 in October and one was born about 4 weeks ago. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Dawn Howard!! I’m the Transition Coordinator for the 18-21 program at the new WeKan Center located in the Hadley Center. Previously, I spent 14 years as a special education teacher at Trego Community HS and for the last 13 years I was a transition adviser for the Northwest KS Education Service Center. I’m most excited about helping our young adults develop their skills so they become independent and successful adults within this great community. I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting many great people here at USD 489 and look forward to meeting many more. My husband, Hardy, and I enjoy our empty nest in WaKeeney but like visiting our three adult daughters even more. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Nicholl Weigel!! I am teaching 6th/7th grade Science this year. I was previously at LaCrosse Middle/High School teaching Math 7th-12th grade and coaching HS girls basketball. Before that I was in Great Bend teaching 6th grade Math & Science, while coaching HS girls basketball and MS girls volleyball. I am most excited about the new challenge of going back to teaching Middle School Science, working with a new group of people, and meeting all my new students! I am currently planning my wedding! My fiancé and I are getting married in September! This is my first year since 5th grade where I won’t be participating in basketball practice after school; as I have always been a player or coach. Finally, one of my favorite titles is being an AUNT! I have 4 nephews with another niece/nephew on the way! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Stuart Bott... What is your position with USD #489? PE Teacher at Wilson Elementary Where are you coming from…. Back in Australia, I taught 5 years in the classroom and 2 as a Physical Education teacher. I’ve spent the last 2 years as a grade 5 teacher at Wilson, but I’m super excited to have the opportunity to teach PE this academic year. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? Creating positive relationships with students, parents and staff and also to be a positive role model who leads by example. Random Tidbit.. I am a probationary 4th degree black belt in Zen Do Kai and one thing I learned is a healthy mind and a healthy body equals a healthy spirit! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Megan Pantle to USD #489!! What is your position with USD #489? My new position will be teaching ELA at HMS. Where are you coming from… I am from Colorado, but have called Hays home for the last 13 years. I attended FHSU where I graduated with my Elementary Education degree. I have spent the last 6 years teaching in Ellis. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? I am most excited to be working with the students and staff at HMS. I am looking forward to bringing my love of reading into the classroom. A random tidbit …. I have been married to my husband, Lyle, for 6 years and have a 3-year-old daughter, Emersyn. We enjoy spending time together at Cedar Bluff as much as we can. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Post Rock Radio 104.7 brought our Administration team some yummy treats today!!! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Teri Berkgren!! I will be an instructional coach/autism and behavior support for the district! I am coming from NKESC as an Autism/Low Incidence Consultant and SLP for 20 years. So excited to work with staff and students in a new Co-op! New people, new ideas! Random tidbit...I love the beach!! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Carly Blackard! What is your new position at USD #489? 2nd grade at Roosevelt Elementary This is my first year teaching! I graduated from Fort Hays last year. I am originally from Lakewood, Colorado! I moved to Hays 3 years ago. I am so excited to have the opportunity to teach within this district. I worked as a para for two years at Roosevelt and am excited I get to stay there! A random tidbit about me is that I love racing. A lot of my family races! I practically grew up at the racetrack in Colorado. I now get to enjoy watching my little brother race! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Alyson Reed!! My new position is 1st grade at Roosevelt Elementary. Last year I taught kindergarten in Victoria and I really enjoyed it. I am from Hays so my goal was to teach in my home town. I am excited about teaching in the USD 489 district because I love the staff and students! I worked at Roosevelt for a year and have done internships and my student teaching there so I am familiar with the staff and have gotten to know some of the students. I am so excited to be back! A random tidbit about me- I am expecting my first baby! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Kaylor Gottschalk!! What is your position with USD #489? I will be teaching 4th grade at Roosevelt! Where are you coming from? I graduated from Fort Hays State in 2019 and have taught preschool for the last 2 years. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? I am very excited to begin building new relationships with both the students and staff. I look forward to learning from those around me and bettering myself as an educator! 4. A random tidbit.. I am a black belt in karate! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Welcome to Oliva Zellmer!!! What is your position with USD #489? School Counselor at Hays Middle School Where are you coming from? I’m originally from Atwood, Kansas, and came to Hays to complete my undergraduate and master’s degree. I’ve been living in Hays the last five years, and have most recently been the K-12 school counselor at La Crosse. My husband Andy and I have two kids, William and Marcilyn who keep us busy! When we’re not chasing babies, we can usually be found working in our garden and backyard. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? I’m excited to meet all the students and staff, and to work and share ideas with a co-counselor! A random tidbit... I have a terrible sweet tooth…there is a 100% chance there is always candy in my desk. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Michala Bieker!! I’m a Kindergarten teacher at O’Loughlin Elementary School! I’m originally from Great Bend KS. I graduated from FHSU in the fall of 2020, and this will be my first year teaching. I’m very excited to be at O’Loughlin this year. I completed my student teaching there in the fall and am looking forward to coming back! In my free time, I like to find a good book to read or a new recipe to make. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Welcome Peyton Ostmeyer!! What is your position with USD #489? • 2nd Grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary Where are you coming from? • I grew up and went to school in Natoma, KS. After high school, I attended FHSU and obtained my degree in Early Childhood Unified. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? • Learning, growing, and building connections with the students and staff. Random tidbit about you…. • I am a huge K-State fan :) #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Our next staff intrduction is Jamie Wolbert!! My position for USD489 is a Lifeskills Teacher at Hays High School. I began my career for USD #489 during the 2019-2020 school year as a para-professional in the S.T.A.R program at Roosevelt Elementary. That year I also began my career as an assistant softball coach for Hays High School (Go Indians!). I then moved to KVC Hospitals as a Teacher’s Assistant for the 2020-2021 school year. In March of 2021, I was hired as a Lifeskills Teacher at Hays High School. I am most excited to continue to grow the relationships I have created within the district. We have an amazing team that I am incredibly honored to be a part of. I am eager to assist our students and see them cultivate new skills. I am originally from Southeast Nebraska (Go Big Red!). There was a movie filmed near my hometown when I was seven and I earned a role to be in the movie. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Please Welcome Reece Petty!! What is your position with USD #489? Middle School SPED ELA. Assistant High School Football Coach and Assistant High School Basketball Coach. Where are you coming from? Grew up in Liberal, KS. I’ve been coaching college football for eight years, most recently in NY. I came back to Kansas last October due to Covid where I taught SPED in St. Marys. I am now all moved into Hays and will be beginning my first year here in August. What are you most excited about here at USD #489? Being back in Western Kansas around great, hard working people! A random tidbit about you…. - I love pizza! #EveryStudentEveryDay489