At the beginning of the next school year the halls will be welcoming many new faces. Due to retirements, many spaces have already been filled.
Nathan McAlister, SHS grad currently at Royal Valley Middle School, has been hired to replace Mr. Larry Latimer and teach history.
He says, “The Civil War class first caught my eye. I have always been fascinated by the history leading to the Civil War, its prosecution, and subsequent reconstruction.”
In addition to this, he adds that he is excited to work with high school students again. He also looks forward to assisting with National History Day projects and is well known for his work with them.
Eddie Tomanek, from Seaman Middle School, has been hired to replace Mr. Jim Childs.
Mr. Tomanek taught high school for 18 years before moving to the district and looks forward to being able to teach more challenging and advanced skills. He is excited to, “work with a more mature classroom and teach more than a basic skill.”
In addition, he likes how the block days will allow him for longer times to work in the shop area.
The open English position will be filled by Tatiana Schafer next year, who will also be the head volleyball coach.
Ms. Schafer, 2013 grad, is looking forward to getting back into the community.
She says, “I’m really excited to meet the students. That’s the best part. Seeing all the kids and getting to know them is a huge positive to teaching.”
The art department will also have a new face. Mr. Brad Leduc, who currently teaches at Washburn Rural, decided to apply in the district due to his wife being the district’s Director of Communications and Grants. He adds, “I decided to apply in hopes of our entire family being on the same schedule,” and so his two kids can attend elementary school closer to home.
Leduc looks forward to work with art teachers Mrs. Margaret Ramberg and Mrs. Emily Rudy, and for the opportunity to work on a block schedule.
Current K-6 Functional Speech Education Teacher at Logan, Ms. Raqual Carlson, will be the new functional special education teacher in the multi-level classroom at the high school next year, replacing Mrs. Pam Besser. She decided to work with high school students after being at the elementary level for the past six years.
She adds, “I am most excited about getting my students out into the community and working with a new team of wonderful paraprofessionals.”
The high school will also have a new 9th and 10th grade language arts special education teacher. Ms. Serita Miller currently works at Lawrence Alternative School and thought an opportunity here would be something worth trying since she grew up in Topeka. She is replacing Ms. Tracy Resinger who currently teaches Special Education Language Arts, but will be taking over for Ms. Janet Krahe next year on the 10-12 side of the building.
In addition to new teachers Seaman High will also be seeing a new nurse.
Amy Vancoevern is also from Logan Elementary and is replacing Mrs. Ellison. “[I am] excited for all the new and different challenges I will have with the high school population.”
Mr. David Ralph is moving to Logan Elementary to become the assistant principal. Mr. Zach Dinges, from Hayden High School, will take over debate, forensics, and college speech.
Miss Jessie Sands, who student taught with Mr. Luke Wiens, will be replacing Ms. Amanda Torbett, who is moving to Lawrence Free State to be closer to home. Sands will be teaching Sophomore Language Arts and technical writing.