Amber Blinco

Bridget McNulty

Claire Hayhurst

Devin Loughry

Jennifer Frade

Melissa Isom

Steve Hudson

Richard Durham

As the Mineral County School District hosted a “Welcome Back Breakfast” for returning teachers and staff members, new teachers were introduced as they recently joined this year’s teaching teams.

Principal Jeff Wales welcomed the new teachers entering the Mineral County High School and Junior High School levels.

Jennifer Frade will be teaching the Special Ed/Life Skills students; Steven Hudson, who transferred from teaching in the states of Arizona and New Mexico, will be teaching high school English; Myrna West, who previously taught at Hawthorne Elementary, will be teaching the Junior High Math Enrichment and Melissa Isom joined the library staffing as a high school Para-Pro.

Principal Stephanie Kuey introduced Amber Blinco, Claire Hayhurst, and Suzanne Martin as teaching the Pre-K, Kindergarten and lower grade classes; fourth-grade teacher Richard Durham and teachers Devin Loughry and Bridget McNulty also joined the teaching staff at the Hawthorne Elementary School. Para-Pro Felicia Skrvana joins the HES staff this year to round out the Rockets teaching team.

Principal Mike Domagala of Schurz Elementary School had the same returning teachers and staff, noting, “Our enrollment is growing and we have an added excitement toward progress within our students this year.”

Two staff members joining the Mineral County School District were introduced by Superintendent Walt Hackford as Will Gemelke, Transportation Director and Kelly Wales, Intervention Specialist at the district office.

It was announced that four of the school board members have now adopted one school this year to attend special award ceremonies, events and encourage staff members. President Keith Neville will remain flexible to attend each school as his schedule permits. The school board will be reviewing the district’s policy manual by sections, with corrections and recent legislation changes to be included during the upcoming public board meetings.

Superintendent Hackford shared, “We are truly on track for many great things to take place this year. I can feel the positive spirit within the staff and the students, so I anticipate some amazing results from everyone in this school year.”

(Not pictured Myrna West, Suzanne Martin, Felicia Starvana)