District:
Jackie Jones,
HES/MBES Principal
After 28 years in the classroom, I am starting my new role as principal of the North Carbon County Elementary Schools and couldn’t be more excited. I have spent most of my summer working on administration classes and working in Hanna and Medicine Bow Elementary Schools to prepare for the 2023-24 academic year. My husband, Clif, and I were able to take a couple of trips to Yellowstone to do some photography and escape cell phone and internet service. We spent some time fishing at Turpin Reservoir, and I enjoyed sharing some nice brook trout with my mom, Susan, who still resides in Hanna.
My transition to this role will be met with stepping away from coaching volleyball and basketball, and I am finding that to be very emotional for me. Being able to coach high school track is still part of my plan, so I will be able to continue working with athletes at HEM. My learning curve has been steep moving into this position, but there have been so many wonderful and helpful people guiding me through my initial “shock”.
Carbon County is a special place on earth, and I could not be more proud to work here with all the extraordinary students, parents, and staff across our district. I will continue to learn and grow, and I will make it my daily goal to stay focused on our children and remain driven as I work collaboratively with others to ensure the success of our students.
Encampment K-12 School:
Ashley Mckinney, Secondary Math
My name is Ashley McKinney and I will be teaching Math at Encampment K12 School. I have spent my whole life in Wyoming and the last 11 years living in Encampment, where my husband is from, being a homemaker and raising my four kids. My family loves the mountains, and we spend almost every weekend at the family cabin. I also love to travel and read.
I graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelors in Mathematics/Science. I am currently enrolled in Western Governors University to get my Masters in Teaching Secondary Mathematics. I am a council member for the Town of Encampment and a board member for the Platte Valley Little League. I am very excited for this opportunity to teach the students here. Being a substitute for the last year has really made me love this school and the community and support that it offers. I will be working to extend that community and support into my classroom!
Dallas Fields, PE/Health
My name is Dallas Fields. I will be teaching Physical Education and Health at Encampment K-12 School. I was born in Big Piney, Wyoming and moved to Saratoga when I was little. I grew up in Saratoga and graduated from Saratoga High School back in 2005. Afterwards I went to college at the University of Wyoming and graduated with a Degree in Physical Education and Health Education. I have previously worked as a fitness instructor at the University of Oklahoma, worked as a civilian employee for a U.S. military base in Germany, and taught Physical Education in the U.S. for three years. The past four and a half years I have lived abroad in France. While there I played American football in full equipment (helmet, shoulder pads, etc.) for a local adult league and created an American football club during that time to play small sided tackle football games in equipment for adults. I’m hoping to continue that project in Wyoming. I’m looking forward to helping inspire the kids to find physical activities that they will love to continue doing as adults.
Mackenzie Rakness, 3rd Grade
My name is Mackenzie Rakness and I will be teaching 3rd grade at Encampment K-12 School. I have been living in Encampment for the last 6 years raising my two young children while finishing my degree of Elementary Education and K-12 Special Education with Western Governors University. During this time I have also worked as a Paraprofessional in the Saratoga schools and as a substitute teacher in the district. I was also an assistant coach for Saratoga Middle School Girls Basketball team for the past three seasons.
I’m most excited about my new role as classroom teacher to be able to connect with my students while creating lasting memories and positive learning experiences for each of them. I’m excited to take on the new responsibilities that come with being a teacher. When I’m not spending time in the classroom, you can find me with my family in the mountains.
Hanna Elementary School:
Erin Kennedy, 2nd Grade
My name is Erin Kennedy and I am thrilled to be teaching 2nd grade at Hanna Elementary! My family and I have lived in Elk Mountain for 13 years. I am a proud mom of two amazing boys, one is attending college at Sheridan College and the other will be a Senior at HEM. I have worked as a Substitute Teacher and a Special Education Paraprofessional for 8 years at Elk Mountain Elementary and Hanna Elementary. I absolutely loved working with children and decided to pursue my education and become an Elementary Teacher through Western Governors University. I am excited to start this new school year and be an inspiration for my students to love learning!
In the winter you can find me skiing and snowshoeing and in the summer I enjoy working in my yard, I love being outdoors! I am so grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to meet my students!
H-E-M Jr./Sr. High School:
Taylee Solaas,
Special Education
Hello, I am Taylee Solaas! I will be the Middle School Special Education Teacher at HEM JR/SR High School. I had graduated from the University of Wyoming with my Bachelors in Elementary Education and an Area of Concentration in Creative Arts. I am currently going back to school at the University of Wyoming to get my Masters in K-12 Special Education! I completed my student teaching at the University of Wyoming Laboratory School this last fall along with having the opportunity to complete an internship there in the 3rd and 4th grade classroom in the spring. That has provided me the opportunity to see how the school year changes, and how students change throughout the year. Along with seeing all the growth and progress made by each and everyone of the students!
My husband and I are both graduates from HEM JR/SR High School, and are excited to be back! Some of my hobbies are going camping, hiking, fishing, having lazy days cuddling up with my dog with a good book, or just spending time with family and friends. I am super excited for this upcoming school year, and can’t wait to get to learn and grow alongside my students!
Taylor Kenyon,
Special Education (long term sub)
My name is Taylor Kenyon, my family and I have lived in Carbon County for 6 years now. I started out as a substitute teacher for the district and have spent the last year and a half as a Special Ed Paraprofessional here in Hanna. I will be the High School Special Ed teacher at HEM. I am currently attending Western Governors University to finish my degree in K-12 Special Education. I am very passionate about volleyball and I am excited to get to coach the Junior High volleyball team this year! My husband is a Brand Inspector and we have two wild little boys. When I’m not working or doing homework I enjoy reading a good book and spending time with my family. I am looking forward to starting this new adventure!
Kim Beyer, Math Interventionist
Hello, I am Kim Beyer! I am very excited to be part of the team at H-E-M Junior/Senior High School. I am licensed to teach secondary Mathematics and AP Computer Science. I firmly believe that math should be taught by people who love math and I LOVE MATH! I am from a remote area which is about 45 minutes from Laramie near Harriman, Wyoming. I am returning to the classroom after raising my children. My husband is the senior engineer for a professional society and has a home office. My children are grown; one son is a math teacher at Fort Collins High, and the other is in the Navy as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer stationed in San Diego.The girls are an engineer, an elementary teacher, and a homemaker. I enjoy quilting, camping, and running wrestling tournaments. My favorite mathematicians are Admiral Grace Hopper (inventor of high level programming languages - COBOL) and George Boole (inventor of Boolean Algebra). ”Pure Mathematics, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” - Albert Einstein.
Corinne Whaley, Art
Hello, there! My name is Corinne Whaley, and I will be teaching art at H.E.M. Jr./-Sr. High School! I was born and spent my childhood years in Southern California and then spent my junior and senior high school years in Laramie, Wyoming. I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful art teacher at Laramie High School that inspired me to want to teach art. I completed my student teaching at Rock River School and Laramie High School, then graduated with a degree in Art Education from the University of Wyoming. I love working in almost any sort of medium and cannot wait to bring a multimedia approach! In my down time, I enjoy crafting, drawing, painting, and reading. This will be my first year teaching, and I am beyond excited to share my passion for art, learning, and creativity with my students and community.
Brendon Reeves, PE/Health (long term sub)
My name is Brendon Reeves and I will be teaching P.E. at HEM starting this fall. I grew up in Medicine Bow, WY and lived there my whole life. I went to high school in Hanna at HEM and graduated in 2020. I am currently enrolled at UW and am working towards a degree in health and physical ed. This will be my first year teaching and I am very excited to get started. I also will be the assistant coach for both High school football and high school boys basketball and look forward to that as well!
Medicine Bow Elementary School:
Kenzie Strauch, Half-time Multi-grade
Hey all! My name is Kenzie Strauch. I’ve lived in Medicine Bow, WY for 8 years after graduating from UW. I’ve been with CRB2 since moving here in a variety of positions. For most of my time I taught 5th grade at HES. I’m excited to be back in the position that started my career here with CRB2 as a half teacher at Medicine Bow Elementary working with all of the students.
Saratoga Elementary School:
Jordan Quig, 3rd Grade
Hi, I am Jordan Quig. I am going to be teaching 3rd grade at SES! I am also the assistant Cross Country coach at SMS/SHS. This will be my 3rd year teaching in Carbon County. I am a Wyoming native growing up in Casper. I attended Sheridan College and the University of Wyoming. I started my career in Rawlins where I taught 4th grade for two years and was the assistant high school soccer coach before making the move to Saratoga late last year! When I’m not busy teaching I’m running or hiking in the mountains. Saratoga is the perfect place for me and I’m so excited to see what this chapter of life has to offer.
Elizabeth Soyez,
Special Education
Hello- My name is Elizabeth Soyez. I was born and raised in Cheyenne, WY, before having this amazing opportunity to move and teach for Carbon County School District #2. I have been in Special Education for 14 years, starting out as a paraeducator while finishing my teaching degree. I am K-6 General Education certified and K-12 Special Education certified. I have also received my masters in Autism through Grand Canyon University. My passion for teaching is helping my students learn how to be amazing, successful, kind human beings in their own unique way. My husband, Eric, is a farrier here in Carbon County, and I have three daughters. My two oldest are attending college and my youngest will start 9th grade. My hobbies are riding horses, camping, and spending time with family and friends. I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life meeting new people and students!
Joseph Johnston,
5th Grade
A three year break from teaching at Carbon County School District #2 is all it took from me, Joe Johnston, to realize what career I want to pursue. I started my teaching path in Riverton in 2009 and taught fourth grade for three years. My wife, Amy, who is the SMHS counselor, and I decided to move to Saratoga in the spring of 2012 as we both were offered teaching jobs. From the fall of 2012 to the spring of 2020 I taught 6th grade here in Saratoga. After the spring of 2020 I was offered a position on a ranch where I had been working in the summers for almost twenty years. After many discussions with our family, Hunter 13 and Tryaton 11, we decided it was a position I would accept. During these three years I have been the Saratoga High School men’s basketball assistant coach.
I am excited to return to the classroom and teach 5th grade for the district. I have never taught 5th grade in my eleven years teaching, however having taught both the grade before and after I feel this will benefit the students. On the weekends and when I am not teaching you will find myself and family on the mountain, floating the river or attending a sporting event.
Saratoga Middle/High School:
Tiffany Herring,
Special Education
Hi there! My name is Tiffany Herring and I am so excited to be starting this new adventure as a Special Education Teacher at Saratoga Middle/High School. I have worked for Carbon County School District #2 for 10 years now, as a Substitute Teacher and a Special Education Paraprofessional. Being able to further my education and take on the role of Special Education Teacher is a dream come true. I graduated from WGU with my Bachelors in Special Education and am currently working on my Master’s Program in Special Education through WGU. When I’m not working on homework, I enjoy spending time with my husband Brian and my two children Jarom and Cassidy. I am also a voracious reader and love music! I am so excited to work with the staff and students at SMHS…GO PANTHERS!!!
Andrea Leinen,
Secondary Math
I am Andrea Leinen and my husband and I have owned a small farm in Platte County for the past 30 years. For now, my husband is staying in Platte County to run our electrical contracting business. I taught in Platte County for 17 years and am certified to teach math and computer science. Last year, I had the honor of working with the staff, students, and parents as an interventionist at Hanna-Elk Mountain Jr. High/High School. I’m excited to become a member of the staff at Saratoga MS/HS this year as a math teacher and am looking forward to getting to know the families in the community. Although we enjoy spending time with our kids & grandkids, playing golf, camping, riding 4-wheelers, and fishing, we have not had much time this summer for those activities because we are building a home here in Saratoga. It’s a lot of work, but we feel the effort is going to be worth it!
Rachel Johnson,
Secondary English
Rachel Johnson is excited to work as the new SMHS English teacher this school year! She joins CCSD2 with over 18 years of experience in education, and has been a member of the Saratoga community for a few years now. Rachel has trained with a number of different programs that can enhance student learning, and she’s assisted students with their learning at various schools in Carbon 2. Rachel looks forward to the school year, and is dedicated to helping students achieve their best in her classroom!
Madeline Hutchison,
Social Studies
Hello, My name is Madeline Hutchison. I am ecstatic to be joining the Panther Family as the newest Social Studies teacher at Saratoga Middle/High School. I am originally from Nebraska; however, much of my family is from Wyoming, and I have known for years that this is where I wanted to live. I graduated from Sheridan College in 2021 and transferred to the University of Wyoming, where I completed my bachelor’s in Secondary Social Studies Education earlier this year. I worked at the University of Wyoming Laboratory School prior to student teaching at Big Horn High School. I enjoy fishing, hiking, reading, and treating my dog like the little prince he is. I have always been fascinated by history and the questions it poses. I aim to impart that curiosity to my students by bringing history to life and ensuring lessons are engaging and relevant to the lives of my students.
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