Local Schools Welcome New Teachers And Staff

By CHARLENE PAUL

The Progress

Back-to-school season is here. The school buses are zig-zagging through the community. Classrooms have been spiffed up. School supplies have been purchased. Desks and chairs are in their places. And school administrators and teachers have been awaiting the arrival of their students.

On Monday, August 9, students from Beaver Dam, Moapa Valley, and Virgin Valley schools were welcomed back for the 2021/2022 school year. For some students, back-to-school is nothing new. For others, back-to-school this year is their very first experience.

But among the ranks of local teachers returning to the classrooms this year, there are a few new faces as well.

Beaver Dam Elementary School welcomed Sara Rodriguez as a fifth-grade teacher, Hannah Roberts as the PE teacher, Allison Griffiths as the Kindergarten aide, and Chy Anne Hafen as the Library aide.

Beaver Dam Jr/Sr High School welcomed Perry Abbott as the CTE (Career and Technical Education) Teacher, and David Leavitt as the History, Government, and Spanish Teacher.

Kasy Hershberger is the new custodian at both of the Beaver Dam schools, and Tracy Clark is a new bus driver.

Grant M. Bowler Elementary School in Logandale welcomed a new principal to the school. Kelby Robison stepped in to fill the slot left by Shawna Jessen’s retirement.

In addition, Ashley Bunker has come on board at Grant Bowler as an Early Childhood/Pre-K teacher. Dr. Laurie Lawson is a new Kindergarten teacher. And Tia Gordon is serving as a long-term substitute in the fourth grade.

Ute V. Perkins Elementary School in Moapa welcomed David Hardy as a new third-grade teacher at the school.

W. Mack Lyon Middle School in Overton welcomed Daryl Richardson as the school’s new Band Teacher. Tara Wolfley is now a sixth-grade Math Teacher. Kyra Abbott is a new Special Education teacher, Jeff Bowler is now teaching PE and Art at the school. And Dalisay Shyface is a long-term substitute for Eighth-grade Science. Former Eighth-grade History Teacher Kristy Brooks is now serving as the new Librarian at the school.

Moapa Valley High School welcomed Lacey Tom as the Ag instructor and FFA advisor. Darrell Larsen steps in as a PE teacher. Kim Roden will serve as an English teacher. Teresa Kruse is a campus security monitor, and Leyla Williams will serve as the school’s College and Career Specialist.

Joseph L. Bowler Elementary School in Bunkerville welcomed Courtney Brotherson as a first-grade Teacher, Cassidy Crandall as a fourth-grade teacher, Mackenzie Baker as a fifth-grade teacher, and LaVon Allen as a substitute on special assignment.

A few teachers at J.L. Bowler will now be teaching different grade levels than they taught last year. Ren Abbott will teach fifth-grade, Mandy Walter will teach second-grade, Angela Graus will teach fourth-grade, Autumn Litzenberger will teach kindergarten, and Angela Crouch will be the Intermediate Learning Strategist.

Amy Kesl is the new First Aid Student Assistant at the school. Kenrick Bontoft is the new Site Based Computer Technician, and Charlie Leavitt is a new Custodian.

At Virgin Valley Elementary School in Mesquite, they welcomed Shannon Garcia as a fifth-grade teacher.
Charles Arthur Hughes Middle School in Mesquite welcomed Jill Laub as the Guitar and Orchestra Teacher, and Edward Ponce as a Special Education Teacher.

Virgin Valley High School in Mesquite welcomed Bailey Kesl as the new FFA Teacher, replacing Lacey Tom who relocated to fill the spot at Moapa Valley High School. Ruth Heath comes to VVHS as a History teacher. Stuart Humes will serve as a Health teacher, and Angela Leavitt joins the staff as a school Counselor.

Yes, school is in session, and the administrators, teachers, and support staff look forward to a terrific school year with their students.