PC Schools is working more and more internally to cover open teaching positions

by Becky Uehling

Grant Tribune-Sentinel

When it comes to assuring all teaching bases are covered for the 2022-23 school year, the key word at Perkins County Schools these days is teamwork, according to Perkins County Schools Superintendent Phillip Picquet.

As of Monday, June 13, all open teaching positions at the school have been covered. However, not all of this was accomplished with new hires, he said. 

A vacancy in the Perkins County Elementary Special Education Department because of the resignation of teacher Bethany Essink in May, will be filled with current staff at the elementary school, as well as with help from ESU 16 staff and additional paraprofessional assistance, Picquet said. Essink has accepted a similar position in Paxton to be closer to family, he said.

 “We are making it work with the people we have,” Picquet said in filling the position. “We are taking the people with qualifications and we are going to do it as a team effort and it’s going to work out very well.” 

Joining PC Elementary special education team member Jonette Kemling will be kindergarten teacher Tammy Hutcheson and first grade teacher Sarah Loeffler. Neither teacher will leave their primary teaching posts to take on the extra special education duties, but will add the cases to their schedules, Picquet said.

 Hutcheson has a special education degree, Loeffler has a strong background in special education and will have a provisional endorsement in special education, Picquet said.  

Also assisting will be school Psychologist Shalee Pollard, Picquet said. Pollard’s position is new Perkins County this year. 

Picquet said Pollard’s position was added to the school after the PCS board recognized a need for increased social and emotional services at the school, and also recognizing it was financially beneficial to the district upon reevaluating their contract with ESU 16 for the same services, Picquet said. 

Additional Positions:
Jr/Sr High Science

Also submitting their resignations to the PCS Board in March and May respectively were science teachers Jennifer Gonzales in junior high and Katie Cross in high school, Picquet said. Gonzales has chosen to leave teaching and pursue different interests, while Cross accepted a teaching position with South Platte schools.

These positions will also be filled with a team approach, Picquet said. 

Colorado teacher Amanda Schuester has been hired to help fill the needs of the high school science department, and will teach 8th grade science. Schuester comes to Perkins County after teaching science for several years at the community college level in Colorado, Picquet said. 

As for 7th grade science, current 5th-6th grade science teacher Amanda Wood will fill the needs for that position, Picquet said. 

second Grade

Submitting their resignations in April were 2nd grade teachers Sandy Waitley, who is moving to Ogallala, and Jenny Battershaw, who is relocating to Grand Island, Picquet said. 

Hired to fill these positions are Sara Pochon, who has taught second grade in Garden County for the past three years, and Grant resident Carissa Cornelius, who has a degree in business and is currently working towards her provisional teaching certificate and eventual degree, Picquet said. Cornelius is currently an insurance agent at Arnold Insurance in Grant.

Sr. HIgh Business Teacher

Filling the Sr. High business teacher vacancy, left with the retirement of Rich Borman, will be Sophia Arensdorf of Ogallala, Picquet said. 

Arensdorf is also coming out of the business world to teach. She currently serves as a Certified Public Account, and will transition into teaching upon acquiring her provisional teaching certificate and eventual degree, Picquet said. 

Band Position

Although not a permanent hire, Grant native Tyler Mahnken, who has a degree in music and has served as a substitute teacher for many years in the Denver area, has committed to long-term substitute teach in the band/music program for the 2022-23 year, Picquet said.

The band position at the school was opened up for the 2022-23 school year because of a sabbatical by band teacher Jasmine Lehl.

“With Tyler on board it will be very helpful,” Picquet said. 

Other Positions

Other new staff hires occurring at the school in February and March were Rochelle Hazelton-K-12 music, Megan Dormann-5th and 6th grade English, Alecia Einspahr-Jr/Sr. high guidance counselor. 

Other positions that were opened up last year included senior high Spanish teacher, athletic director and head boys basketball coach. However, all three positions have either been filled, or are in negotiations, Picquet said. 

Students wanting to take high school Spanish will be able to do so through the PCS new distance learning Spanish teacher, Emily Glause, Picquet said. Marcia Graney had been in the role for the past 20  years and retired at the end of the school year. 

The head boys basketball position has been filled by Grant resident Todd Kraus, and the school is in contract negotiations now for the AD position, Picquet said.

      In a Good Position

All-in-all, Picquet said he feels the school is in a good position when it comes to staffing, especially considering the hiring challenges that is plaguing all schools at this time. 

He said all administrations and school boards are needing to become creative and think outside the box when it comes to attracting and retaining staff. 

He is proud of his staff and board as they work as a team to address the staffing needs at PCS.