Teacher Profiles - Jackson Hole Middle School


6th Grade	Jan Lovett Jackson Hole has been a great place for me to play outside, make wonderful friends, fall in love, get married (just celebrated 26th anniversary) and raise our three children, twin fourteen year olds and an eighteen year old. As a 6th grade teacher I look forward to guiding students from childhood into early adolescence. I like to inspire ALL students, especially reluctant ones, to become lifelong learners. I value a positive, cooperative relationship with students and their parents and hope to help families achieve balance between home, community and school. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the exceptional staff at Jackson Hole Middle School and will continue to make it a safe and welcoming place for students and teachers. I have an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Kent State University and a master's degree in special education from the University of Northern Colorado. I have taught general education and special education in a wide variety of settings: public, independent, private non-profit, homeschool, tutor. Jordan Griffin I majored in English @ the University of Vermont and graduated in 1998. I moved to Wyoming right after college and worked four years as a riding instructor @ Teton Valley Ranch camp. I went back for my masters in education from Northwestern University in 2001, and then returned to Jackson immediately after that. I have taught English and Yearbook @ the High School for the last two years, and I am deliighted to be teaching 8th grade English at the middle school this year. Jenny (Bressler) Carr I was born and raised in Jackson (I even went through this very middle school) where my education had a profound effect on me as to why I became a teacher because of the constant influence of inspiring teachers I had. I was in the JHHS mentour program where I had the opportunity to come over to the middle school and work with a group of ELL students in Ms. Scarolla's (now Mrs. Strand) History class. This was a very abrupt turning point in my life, as I realized my passion for teaching at that point. I left Jackson when I graduated and headed across the country to the University of New Hampshire, where I was in search of new adventures and expriences to add to my life's collection. There I competed at the Division 1 level for Nordic Skiing while I obtained my BA in Secondary English-Teaching as well as a minor in Spanish. The year I graduated from college, I came back here to coach the middle school Nordic team for the Jackson Hole Ski Club and decided to travel for three months throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific once the ski season came to an end. Upon returning from my travels, I realized that I was truly interested in working with older elementary and middle school aged students so I went back to school to obtain my masters in Elementary Education through the University of Phoenix. During that time, I taught at a preschool as well as coached Nordic Skiing in Sun Valley for the SVSEF. I have now been home for over a year (and let me tell you it feels great!!) and am thrilled to be teaching 6th grade English and Social Studies as well as coaching Nordic skiing for the JHHS team. I feel more than fortunate to be a part of such an amazing community not only in Jackson, but more specifically, the community here at the Middle School. Matt Paciulli Before coming to Jackson, I have spent the last nine years living in Seattle, Washington. There, I received my teaching certification and have been teaching 8th grade science for the last six years. I just recently completed my Masters in Education and now am very excited to teach sixth grade math here in Jackson. I look forward to an exciting year of teaching and learning from my new group of sixth grade students. Heather Joy I was born and raised in Jackson, Wyoming and I am very excited about teaching in the same district where I attended school. I was in the first ever graduating class from Jackson Hole Middle School in 1993, and I graduated from Jackson Hole High School in 1997. I attended the University of Arizona where I graduated in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration: Accounting and Finance. For the past three years I’ve worked as a special education paraprofessional at Colter Elementary School then at Jackson Hole Middle School. In January of 2009, I completed my teaching certification in Elementary Education with Prescott College. I am also the assistant coach for the Jackson Hole Middle School Swim & Dive team and am anticipating another great season. I am looking forward to working with all of my new 6^th grade students as well as the many familiar faces I know from Colter. Renaye Notzke I am excited to be part of the 6^th grade team this year. I am teaching Language Arts and History. For the past two years I taught ELL at the middle school.  I grew up in Northern California in a small town called Susanville. I attended California State University, Chico and graduated in 2000 with a B.A. in elementary education. After graduating I decided to move to Jackson, having only visited for one day on a road trip the summer before, I fell in love with the place.  My first teaching job was at Community Children's Project where I taught Montessori Kindergarten. After that year I decided that I wanted to teach in the public schools, so I got a job as a reading paraprofessional at JES. That was the year that I discovered that teaching was my calling. I decided to further my education and moved to Littleton, Colorado where I taught 1st grade and ELL. The next year I started grad school at the University of Northern Colorado and got a job teaching 5th and 6th grades in Fort Morgan, Colorado which was closer to the university. I graduated with a masters degree in elementary education in 2005.  In 2003 I married Brian Notzka who I meet while living in Jackson and in May (07) we had our first baby boy, Viktor Hugo Notzka. I spend most of my free time being a mom and hiking with my dogs. Bill Wiley I am a 38 year local of Jackson Hole, something that is becoming more rare every year! I am teaching with my formewr 6th grade science teacher (leona Wunnenberg) and love working at JHMS! This will be my 12th year in TCSD, and all of those years have been at JHMS! I am now one of the longest tenured teachers here at JHMS, and enjoy all of the aspects of teaching middle school. I enjoy anything sports related! I enjoying playing golf, softball and all kinds of back yard sports with my kids. I also enjoy coaching, especially football! I also have now started coaching my two sons in their budding athletic careers. I coached soccer and tee ball this summer with my son, and really enjoyed that experience. My oldest son, Zach, is now 5 and a half, and is starting kindergarten at the new Davey Jackson Elementary School! How exciting to start your school career in a brand new school! Tate, our youngest just turned 3, and is attending the Little Learners Academy while he waits not so patiently to go kindergarten! I ahve been married now for 8 years to my wonderful wife, Cynthia, who is from Maine. We own an affordable home on Hoig Island, and love everything about life in Jackson Hole! I am the head football coach at Jackson Hole High School, and am the only former player to ever return to JH and become the head coach of the football team. I am in my 5th year as the head coach, and recently (2007) we won our 3rd state championship and completed only the second undefeated season in the school's 58 years of football! We are looking forward to openeing the 2009 on the new turf at William T McIntosh field. I also am the varsity throws coach for the JHHS track team. In the classroom I teach 6th grade geoscience, which consists of 4 quarter long units in Hydrology/Oceanography, Geology, Meteorology and Astronomy. We try to make sure we have at least on hands on lab experience every week in science class, so the kids can see how what they arelearning REALLY works in the world we live in. Jackson Hole is an amazing place to teach this subject, as we are belssed with numerous outdoor experiences and a plethora of professionals who can lend their expertise to our studies! Leona Wunnenberg I was born and raised in Iowa and taught there for seven years before heading west. I moved to Jackson in 1977 and taught math for 3 years at Jackson Hole Junior High, math and science at Jackson Hole Intermediate School. The Jackson Hole Middle School opened in 1992 and I have been teaching sixth grade science there ever since. I earned a BS and MS at Western Illinois University and did post graduate work at the University of Wyoming. My awards include being a finalist for Wyoming Teacher of the Year in 1999. I received National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Adolescence Science (2000). In 2002 I won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching (PAESMT). Science has always been my favorite subject as a student and a teacher.
7th Grade	Matt Hoelscher This is my eigth year at the Middle School teaching 7th grade Language Arts, and my 13th year ofteaching since graduating from Marquette University in Milwaukee,Wisconsin with a B.A. in English and Teaching. My wife, Mary, (she'san 8th grade English teacher) and I now have two young boys, Charlie, age 5, August, age 2, and a new baby girl, Ruby, 6 months. Other activities include coaching the varsity soccer team at the high school and supervising the JHMS literary and art magazine. I look forward to another great year working with this year's seventh grade. Mike Miller I came to Jackson from Billings, Montana and began teaching at the old Junior High in 1988. I received my degree from Eastern Montana College, which is now Montana State University, Billings. I am married to Lisa Miller and have two grown children Abbie and Drew. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, sports, cooking, running and fly fishing during my spare time. I have taught 7^th grade World History since my arrival in Jackson and enjoy working with the middle school students. Lara Lovett I graduated with a B.S. in Natural Resource Management, opt: Applied Ecology and Conservation, from Cook College, Rutgers University. I have had the pleasure of working in research laboratories at both Rutgers University’s Plant Ecology Lab and Penn State University’s Entomology Lab. For skin-crawling stories involving hissing cockroaches, ticks, or parasitoid wasps, see me personally. I have had the pleasure of teaching high school Biology at High Point Regional High School and Vernon Township High School in Sussex County, NJ. In 2004, my husband and I moved to the “wild west”, this great state of Wyoming, from the garden state of New Jersey. I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Jackson Hole 7th grade Life Science students as we explore the natural world through the study of science. Michelle Reisbeck This is my first year teaching Life Science at the middle school and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Many moons ago, after graduating from Creighton University with a B.S. in Biology, I traveled to Jackson “for a summer” and never left. I decided to explore the profession of teaching after the birth of my daughter (Mallory, age 7) and fell in love with it. Over the past three years I have served as a substitute for TCSD while working on my M.A. in Education. Subsequently, I have had the great fortune to be hired on full-time at what is, in my opinion, the best school in the district. It is my hope to introduce students to the wonders of Life Science in a relevant and meaningful manner, while at the same time promoting life-long learning skills. Greg Poduska After ten years of teaching here in TCSD #1, I'm still loving my work and interactions with all the students I'm in contact with. Kids are great. Their middle school years are a time for molding them into the people they are already becoming - help perfect their amazingness and shed off traits that don't benefit them. At least that's what I hope to do. Every day I am appreciative of this opportunity to be here, teaching in this school and working with your kids. Part of my commitment as an educator is to provide a differentiated education to students of all abilities and readiness, as well as to cater to their interests and passions in life. My past education --> Saint Anselm College - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/History. University of New Hampshire - Master of Arts in Teaching. Heidi Dolan 7th Grade Language Arts Randall Cresswell I am very excited to back at Jackson Hole Middle School. I’ve been teaching here at the Middle School since 2005 and 7^th grade math since 2008. I love teaching here at the Middle School and think all members of this community should be proud of this wonderful school and talented staff. I grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and attended the U. of I. earning a bachelors degree in Business Marketing. I settled in Jackson after a spending time as a Ski Patroller, Rafting Guide, and Carpenter and eventually ran my own construction business here for two years. I’ve been working towards a teaching position in Jackson for over twelve years starting with volunteer basketball coaching, which led to jobs with the Community Children’s Project, Colorado Outward Bound School, JHMS as a Special Education Paraprofessional, Substitute Teaching in TCSD, and 7^th & 8^th grade Boys and Girls Basketball Coaching. I attended Concordia University in Portland, Oregon to earn My Masters in Teaching in 2003, and am looking forward to another year at the middle school.
8th Grade	David Carpenter I have been teaching for 11 years. Have a BS in Math and a BS in Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming. Have a MA in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University. Committees: SIT, Math SAC, District Tech. Mary Hoelscher I grew up near Lake Michigan in a family of nine. I spent my childhood playing soccer, swimming, provoking my little sister, and reading books while I was supposed to be doing chores. After high school I attended Marquette University in Milwaukee. After teaching high school for a few years in Milwaukee, my husband Matt and I moved west to Jackson. For five years now I have enjoyed teaching 8th grade Language Arts at the middle school. I also love spending time with our two sons, Charlie and August. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree at the University Wisconsin Madison. Jack Gregory This is my first year teaching full time at JHMS, although I was a long-term substitute last year for Mary Hoelscher. Prior to working at JHMS, I taught at Newton North High School in Newton, MA for 8 years. I have a Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary English from Boston University, and a BA in English and Philosophy from California StateUniversity Long Beach. After spending several summers here at the Grand Teton Climber’s Ranch, I decided tomove to Jackson Hole, Kelly in particular, a little over a year and a half ago and haven’t looked back since. I live in a yurt, love climbing and skiing, and I am amazingly grateful to be amember of this community. James Howell I am a fourth generation Wyomingite from Sheridan. I attended college at the University of Montana where I received a degree in Biology with teaching endorsements in Biology and Broadfield Science. I have taught at Riverton High School and I completed my student teaching at Big Piney High School. I try to bring real world experiences to the classroom to engulf my students in learning, allowing them to utilize all of their senses. I truly believe that hands on instruction techniques elevate retention levels and create peak learning experiences. I participated in college football at the University of Montana and I coach several sports at the Middle School. Amy Manhart Amy Manhart graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania with a double major in Biology and Psychology. She moved to Wyoming in June 1995 to work for Grand Teton National Park as a seasonal dispatcher and has lived here ever since. This will be her fifth year in Teton County Schools, but her seventh year of teaching. Ms. Manhart taught for two years as a Teach for America participant in rural North Carolina. In addition to teaching Ms. Manhart founded Girls Actively Participating! a non-profit program for middle school girls which runs through the school year and includes activities in the summer time. Ms. Manhart serves as a Mentor teacher and on the Literacy committee in the Middle School. Last year Ms. Manhart received the Thanks a Million award and was recognized with the Soroptomist's Women Helping Women award for her work with G.A.P! Terry Yazzolino I was born at the confluence of the Snake and the Columbia Rivers in Eastern Washington and raised in Oregon and California. I have three wild and beautiful children, Hannah age 23, Miles age 13 and Gabriel age 6. They are a busy blessing! I have been a professional musician and storyteller for over 20 years .Go to CDBaby.com or Itunes to get CDs! I was honored to receive the Wyoming Arts Council's performing arts fellowship in 1992 The 2007-2008 year marks my 8th year at JHMS. I am truly honored to work with our wonderful students! David Wells I attended Lewis & Clark college, completing my BA in History in 1998 and moving to the Tetons that summer. I first worked in the area as a fly-fishing and bird hunting guide. After living and guiding in Southern Chile in 2001, I moved to VT to attend UVM, where I obtained my Master of Curriculum and Instruction and teaching certificate. I returned to the area and taught Spanish at JHMS for 2 years. I am returning to the area after a 2 year hiatus to teach both 8th grade US History and Spanish. The mix of contents and the ability to use my bilingualism makes this a very exciting position. The chance to teach in the social studies realm excites me because is is tied to so many critical thinking and linguistic skills necessary for success in this world. A large goal of mine is to help students locate themselves in the realm of their own histories and assist them in expressing themselves with regard to the content effectively. Rose Strand This is my tenth year teaching sixth grade at JHMS. Last year, I took a sabbatical so that I could be at home with our newborn son. What a joy to be a mom! This year I am thrilled to be back at the middle school in the afternoons teaching math. As an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire, I majored in International Studies and Humanities and minored in skiing - I raced on UNH's alpine team. After living in the West for several years after college, I attended school again in New Hampshire where I received a Master of Education and teaching certification. Currently, I am endorsed to teach middle school mathematics, English, and history. I love living and recreating in Jackson, especially in the winter, and I feel very fortunate to be a teacher in this wonderful community.
Special Education	Amanda Jones After growing up in Wisconsin I felt the mountains pull me to the West. I am currently teaching 8th grade resource at JHMS. I love the energy and curiousity middle schoolers bring to the classroom. Outside of school I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and running. I am also pursuing my master's degree in Speech-Pathology. Erika Berry I grew up in Rock Springs, Wyoming and graduated from Western Wyoming Community College with my Associate's Degree. I then went on to Texas A&M University to earn my Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Special Education. I taught for 3 years at Westside High School in Houston, Texas before returning home to Wyoming. This will be my fifth year teaching at Jackson Hole Middle School. Cheri Witz " It all comes back to what things we think are important in life." Mardy Muri While teaching skiing to children with disabilities in Steamboat Springs in the mid 70s I realized working with children with special needs was important to me and what I would do in my professional work Returning to college, I received my Bachelors Degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. I began teaching special education in Jackson during the fall of 1982. I have been a special educator for nearly 25 years in a variety of settings. I returned to graduate school and earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership in 1994. My post graduate work is centering around the value of the arts in education. I have been the chairman of pARTners since 1995 and continue to encourage project-based learning with the arts at the core within our schools.
English as a Second Language (ESL)	Alivia Bingham I was born April 27, 1975 in Casper, Wyoming at a fighting weight of 6 pounds 9 ounces and a whopping 20 inches at 1:18 in the morning. I am one of four girls to two very proud parents, Dan and Chris Carpenter of Gillette, Wyoming. I have been raised all over the state of Wyoming and many western states. One of my proudest moments in grade school was placing 1st in the 100 yard dash 4 years running at Paradise Valley Elementary School. I was a champion in the making from a young age and currently strive to be a champion. I graduated in the top 5% from Canyon Del Oro High School in Tucson, Arizona lettering in three sports; volleyball, basketball, softball. I was offered a volleyball and academic scholarship to Dallas Baptist University located on the only hill in Texas. I majored in Education, was the President of Alpha Delta Kappa, President of Student Activities and Homecoming Queen. After graduating college I taught and coached in Grand Prairie, Texas for four years and became homesick for Wyoming. For the past 8 years I have worked for many guest ranches and outfitters in the summer. I currently teach ESL and coach volleyball, basketball and track. I have been teaching for 10 years and hope to continue my road of becoming a champion. Michelle Rooks I grew up in Jackson and attended JHMS (though it was the junior high then!) and JHHS. I am pleased to have been able to move back and call Jackson “home” again. My husband (No, he is not the vice principal Jackson Hole High School! Jim is my brother!!) and I met and married while living in Denver, Colorado. While in Denver, I taught in a year-round intermediate elementary school, grades 4 - 6. After 12 years of city life, it was time for me to reclaim my sanity and live in a small community once again. I feel lucky to have been working at the middle school since 2003! I love everything Jackson has to offer and believe it will be the perfect place to raise my little girl, Angel!!
P.E./ Health	Cody Hansen I am originally from Laramie, WY.† I have lived in the Jackson area for 14 years and this is my twelvth year teaching at the Middle school.† My house is in Alpine, WY.† I coach Middle School football and High School Alpine Skiing.† In the spring I coach the Middle school skate club.† In the winter I like to ski and in the summer I ride motocross.† In November I will be participating in the 25th Annual World Vet Championships in motocross in Glen Helen, CA.† This year I will be competing in two classes. The over 30 and over 35 intermediate class.† I also enjoy working at Camp Wyoba on Casper Mountain during the summer. Take Care! Jason Huggins I am currently starting my 7th year here in Jackson. I am married with two children a girl and a boy. My Daughter is in 2nd grade and my son is in Pre-School. My wife teaches 1st grade at Jackson Elementary School. I received my Bachelors and Masters in Physical Education from the University of Wyoming. I currently coach football at the high school, basketball and track at the middle school. I enjoy watching sporting events, hunting, fishing, and camping. Krista Dooley I started teaching at Jackson Hole Middle School in 2005. I moved here from Richmond, Virginia after attending Virginia Tech University where I studied Health and Physical Education. I also played on the women's soccer team all four years and was captain my senior year. I still love the sport of soccer and play in my free time as well as coach the JV girls high school soccer team. I enjoy living in Jackson for all the amazing outdoor activity it has to offer.
Music	Tom Dunham I arrived in Jackson with my wife and 9 month old son in June, 1974. I first taught music at Jackson Elementary School, grades K-5. While there I had a fourth and fifth grade band. In 1976, I was asked to move to the Junior High and teach both band and choir. While at the Junior High my choirs performed: Oklahoma, Lil Abner and Coming of Age. During this time I also taught at Kelly School and also the Intermediate School. During the early 80's I taught at four schools a day – Wilson, Intermediate, Jr. High and High Schools. In 1982 I took the Junior High Band to Disneyland where we marched down Main Street and Knott's Berry Farm. In 1985 I took a break from teaching to persue a love of mine – broadcast weather. I was on local radio and tv for fourteen years. In 1999, the teaching bug was back and I returned to the Middle School. Since my return I have taken two high school bands on trips – one to Disneyland and one to Walt Disney World. In March 2007, I was honored to receive from the Grand Teton Music Festival a Lifetime Achievement Award in Music Education. With this honor I was given the opportunity to direct the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra at their Fourth of July Music in the Hole Concert. What piece of music did I direct? - selections from Pirates of the Carribean. I have three children – all married and one beautiful granddaughter who was born on June 2, 2008. My wife of 37 years, Nancy is the head secretary at Jackson Hole High School. Vincent Gutwein I have been teaching strings for 5 years. I earned a BA degree in Music Education from the University of Wyoming. I will be completing my masters in Music Education this summer of 2006. I am a cellist who has a vocal background and enjoys writing songs and playing the guitar. I am really excited for the opportunity to teach orchestra to the students of Jackson Hole. I hope that their experience in music is one that brings joy and inspiration throughout their lives.
Spanish/ French	Margaret (Liegel) Myers I originally hail from upstate New York although my nomadic tendencies have led me all over the globe and country. My foray into the Spanish world truly began upon graduation of high school. I applied for and received a Rotary scholarship that allowed me to spend a year in Celaya, Mexico. The experience profoundly changed me and when I returned to the United States I declared Spanish as my major at Boston College. Three years later I found myself in Quito, Ecuador for what was supposed to be a semester long stay. After a week of being in the country, I told my parents I would be staying for the rest of the year! Resigned to the fact that they raised a headstrong daughter, my parents shook their heads and said, "We'll see you in a year." I finished my studies at Boston College and subsequently moved to San Diego to begin a dual certification and Masters program in education. I worked with predominantly Mexican American students in San Diego and as such decided that my masters focus would be bilingual education. My current position in Jackson allows me to do what I truly enjoy, sharing the Hispanic culture and language with students. Chris Gnaedinger I am new to the area and amazed by its beauty! I come to you from a small high-school in Vermont (Craftsbury) where I taught Spanish and history. I received my BA in political science from the University of Vermont and recently completed my masters degree at the same institution. In between the two I had a 10 year career in international education and have lived in Brazil and Spain. Even though both my parents are American, I was born in South America and have dual citizenship. I love history and geography and look forward to incorporating them into my Spanish classes. I am an outdoor enthusiast and particularly enjoy hiking, camping and fishing. I plan on learning a lot about this great place and its people from my students, colleagues and the community at large. Thank you and hasta la vista! Ashley Bry: My initial interest in the Spanish language sparked in Middle school when I had my first opportunity to take an elective Spanish class. I was lucky enough to take a family trip to Puerto Rico that year to put my new knowledge into context. When I chose Spanish Education as my area of study after my first year at Ithaca College, I knew it was the foundation for lifelong opportunities. I’ve been able to and continue to gain valuable educational and life experience in Spanish and in Education. I tutored and observed in local Ithaca city schools, spent a week teaching in Harlem, New York, taught elementary Spanish for a summer in Burlington, Vermont and instructed English in the local schools of Barcelona, Spain. I moved to Jackson from Vermont last year and spent the winter teaching adult and kids classes at the Teton Literacy Program. With Spanish and Hispanic culture becoming so prominent in our country and community I am excited to participate and share with students. Peggy Gagnon I have taught in Teton County since March of 1982. In that time, I have taught 28 different classes in areas such as English, French, German, and Speech, primarily at the high school. I have been teaching French at the middle school since 2007. I grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and earned a bachelor's degree in French and German from the University of MN. I worked at a computer company and then taught in an in-school suspension center. I went back to the U of M for two years to earn an English degree. My husband and I moved west, so I could to do my graduate work on a Master's in English in Pocatello, at Idaho State University where I then taught for two years. We had planned on moving back to MN but the high school English teaching position in Jackson Hole drew me and my artist husband here. We found Jackson to be a wonderful place to raise our daughters, Stephanie and Irlonde, and son, Joe, because of the excellent schools, the theater and dance, and, of course, the skiing. I coached the high school speech and debate team for 18 years and was honored to be awarded a Wyoming Speech Coaches' hall of fame coaching award and the two-diamond national speech coach award. I was also awarded Wyoming Foreign Language Teacher of the Year and nominated for the Wyoming Teacher of the Year award by the Foreign Language Teachers' Association. I served for a number of years as treasurer, secretary, vice-president and then president of both the state organization for speech coaches and the state organization for foreign language teachers. I am excited French has been brought back to the middle school and I look forward to working with my enthusiastic students!
Art/ Shop	Wendy Rominger I started teaching with Teton County Schools 25 years ago. My first position was outlying art, then one year at the high school, on to the junior high, and finally ending with the middle school students. I arrived in Jackson after working with Navajo Indians as their Community Recreation Coordinator. My Master's was in Outdoor Recreation through the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. I had worked with the Bureau of Land Management, the National Forest Service and the National Park Service after finishing my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Since working for Teton County Schools I was invited to attend, an all expenses paid, the first conference for Disciplined Based Art Education at the Getty Museum in LA, attended the Rhode Island School of Design's Honor Seminar, and trained to be a facilitator for Discipline Based Art Education in Cincinnati, Ohio. I served on the Board of Directors for 5 years with the Community Visual Art Association here in Jackson. SHOP Paul Dykeman Born and raised in Hillsdale NY. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts from Fitchburg State College I went to Central Connecticut State University to get a masters degree in Technology Education. From there I taught 9 years in Hyde Park NY at Roosevelt High School and worked as a Baseball and Basketball coach. Moving to Jackson in 1999 I have worked full time as a ski instructor and fishing guide. I Have a wife named Pauline and a son Trey.
Media Center	Karla Swiggum Teacher Librarian I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, taught elementary school for 6 years in Illinois, and moved to Jackson in 1984 to teach for Teton County School District at the Goosewing Ranch and at Moran School for the 1984/85 school year. Since then I've had a variety of other careers in Jackson including working for the Jackson Hole Art Association, being a slide librarian for Thomas Mangleson/Images of Nature, and selling books at the Valley Bookstore. In 2000 I moved to Boise to pursue my Masters Degree. After returning to Jackson in 2002, I was finally able to return to the profession where I felt my calling...teaching. I am happy to serve the district and community as the Librarian at the Middle School. I have a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education for Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and a Masters Degree in Reading from Boise State University.
Specialist	Nancy Brumsted I grew up in Colorado with my amazing, creative parents and three ornery brothers. As a child, I was quite busy trying crazy bike stunts, playing the violin and guitar, and singing in choir, while agonizing over bad haircuts, saving lost lizards, and pretending to be a space traveler in my back yard. I also started a secret agent club and mermaid league with my friends, and I was in the Chipmunks 4-H club. I occasionally tried to paraglide with a sheet during windstorms. I spent many hours watching clouds as they danced across the sky. Years later, I chose a career in education while I was in the midst of raising my gorgeous and enchanting daughters. My husband Alan started teaching science during that time as well. My teaching career started with upper elementary grades and gifted education in upstate New York, while I was pursuing a master's degree in gifted education. After we moved to Jackson sixteen years ago, I coordinated a gifted and talented program for two years before teaching seventh grade English and History here in the middle school. This provided me with unending challenges and adventures with young people. I took a break from teaching and completed a master's degree while working in area nonprofits, where I managed youth and adult programs of all sorts. I returned to the district in 2006, and this is my tenth year with Teton County Schools. I currently coordinate the P.E.A.K. gifted education program for secondary students. I love the mountain lifestyle and this community of adventurous friends. I enjoy family time, kayaking, gardening, making quilts, riding my bike, reading, and watching clouds.