7 new teachers added to roster at PC Schools

Students at Perkins County Schools are likely to see many new faces in a couple weeks with the addition of seven new teachers. 

Taren Hendricks

One face they might recognize is Taren Hendricks of Grant. Hendricks will be a fourth grade homeroom teacher, and teaching third and fourth grade math. 

From 2006-2010, she taught kindergarten in Scottsbluff and Ogallala. 

After taking several years off to stay home with her children, she taught third grade at Chase County Schools last year. 

Originally from Kimball, Hendricks earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln (UNL) and a Master of Arts in reading from the University of Nebraska in Kearney (UNK). 

She said she hopes to add to the already positive climate of Perkins County Schools, while bringing experience and a passion for teaching and learning. 

“I hope that I can play a role in continuing the district’s tradition of placing students first, providing an impactful, purposeful education for our youth, and contributing to an already strong team of PCS teachers and stakeholders,” she said. 

Hendricks and her husband Ryan, have three children, son Carter, 9, daughter Avery, 7, and daughter Reese, 6.

Tanner Collins

Tanner Collins will be teaching high school physical education, coaching high school wresting and assisting junior high football. 

After graduating from Ogallala High School, Collins received a bachelor’s degree in K-12 physical education and health from UNK. 

He student taught and had a part-time teaching job in Houston for a year and then coached in Fort Worth, Texas for three years.

Collins is currently renting a home between Grant and Ogallala and said he wants to be heavily involved in the community. 

“I hope to bring a positive attitude and a lot of energy to Perkins County,” he said.

Jonathan Hunt

Jonathan Hunt is the new social studies teacher, head football coach and assistant girls basketball coach.

This will be Hunt’s first year teaching after graduating last May from UNL with a Bachelor of Science in education and human sciences and secondary education.

He completed practicum hours at Lincoln Northstar High School, and student taught at Crete High School. He also worked as the girls basketball coach and assistant football coach at Crete High School. 

Hunt said he has been fortunate to have worked and been a student under many great teachers and role models, and wants to share his experiences and knowledge with others. 

“I look forward to bringing new points of view into the classroom and to the athletic field. Perkins County has lots of tradition and a culture of excellence that I cannot wait to be a part of and hopefully add to,” he said. 

Originally from O’Neill, he is now living in Grant. 

Alex Linnerson

Alex Linnerson will be a new high school math teacher. She will also be the mock trial coach and assistant speech coach.

She is excited to begin her first year of teaching after graduating from UNK with a Bachelor of Science in secondary mathematics.

“I am hoping to help students see math in a more positive way than they started,” Linnerson said.

A Nebraska native from Nebraska City, she is now living in Grant. 

Les Reinke

Les Reinke will be teaching second grade.

He is a graduate of UNK and has teaching experience in Maxwell and Maywood. 

Originally from Wilsonville, he now lives in Wallace with his wife Dana. 

Reinke said he is dedicated to students’ academic and social learning. 

“I look forward to working in a progressive and student-centered district,” he added. 

Jeremy Struckman

Jeremy Struckman is now the high school Spanish instructor, assistant track coach and activities director.

He grew up south of Brule and has taught at Albion-Boone Central and Chappell-Creek Valley.

Struckman received his undergrad at UNL and is currently working on a master’s degree in administration from UNK.

“I am hoping to bring energy, coordination and a friendly hand to the PC community,” he said. 

Alyssa Yapp

Alyssa Yapp will be teaching general music for kindergarten through six grades and choir for grades seventh through 12th. She will also be co-directing musicals and plays, as well as directing the swing choir. 

This is Yapp’s first year of teaching after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in music education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. 

Now living in Grant, she grew up in Sartell, Minn.

“I am hoping to bring a passion for creating musical art into the school district,” she said.

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

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PO Box 67
327 Central Ave in Grant
Grant NE 69140