Bailey Miller
5th Grade - Encampment K-12 School
Bailey Miller is one of three Encampment alum returning to the hallways, having graduated from Encampment K-12 School in 2017. She will be teaching 5th grade, the role previously held by Principal Jake Johnston.
“I have a bachelor’s in elementary education. I started in Casper and did two years there and I was on the rodeo team. Then I went to the University of Wyoming where I continued my education and was on the rodeo team,” said Miller. “From there, I student-taught in Casper for my last semester and ended up getting a job with Douglas Upper Elementary [School]. I was there for three years [and] taught 5th grade there.”
Miller shared her expectations for both parents and teachers in the new school year.
“I expect parents to allow their students to come to school to learn and to be supportive of that learning,” said Miller. “If they have any questions or concerns, I ask that they’re involved in that. I want to be on the same team as them.”
For students, Miller said she wants their best effort but doesn’t expect perfection.
“I expect that they’re ready to learn everybody and give 110%. I don’t expect them to be perfect and I don’t expect them to have it all together 100% of the time,” said Miller. “I just expect them to show up, be respectful and do their best.”
Jackson Linford
CCSD No. 2 Speech & Language Pathologist
Jackson Linford recently graduated from the University of Wyoming (UW), making his role in Carbon County School District No. 2 his first job in the education industry. Linford graduated from UW and then returned for his master’s degree.
While his role is as the district speech and language pathologist, he said most of his time will be focused on the Encampment and Saratoga schools. This is a change from the past several years, when speech and language was conducted virtually. This, he hopes, is something the students will be excited about.
“I want them to have fun, improve, reach their goals and enjoy coming to speech. They’ve had speech online for a long time and most kids do not like online speech,” said Linford. “Being in person, I hope to change the attitude and atmosphere around speech pathology. To have them enjoy seeing me come into the classroom.”
Linford also has exceptions for parents, not just students.
“[What] I’m expecting from the parents [are] goals, what they want their kid to work on. The family-centered approach is the best approach,” said Linford. “We’re all bought in on what we’re trying to do with their child that’s going to work the best for all of us. I really want the parents’ buy-in and with their buy-in, I want their input on what they want to see their child doing.”
Jeremy Hemenway
English - Saratoga Middle High School
Jeremy Hemenway will be one of the newest teachers at Saratoga Middle High School this year, coming into the English department.
Hemenway brings with him a wealth of education and experience, having a degree from the University of Wyoming and one from the University of Colorado. He has also been an educator in Wyoming for more than two decades.
Hemenway shared his expectations for both students and parents for the upcoming school year.
“Students should know to be committed and responsible, but at the same time enjoy education,” said Hemenway. “Parents should be aware that there is a great deal of writing and reading in English but, at the same time, I think the focus is on building relationships and the skills needed for the 21st century.”
Mandy Westerman
Ag Science - Encampment K-12 School
Mandy Westerman is the third Encampment alum to return to its halls as a teacher this year, having graduated in 2013. This year, she takes on the role of agriculture science.
“I attended LCCC (Laramie County Community College) and Texas Tech University where I studied animal science,” said Westerman. “This will be my fifth year teaching ag and shop classes.”
Westerman shared her expectations for both parents and teachers this school year.
“I would hope that parents would be encouraged and push their students to be the best versions of themselves,” said Westerman. “I have so many fun things planned and it is always best when the families and communities are on bard with the amazing work that our kids do.”
As for students, Westerman she has high standards she knows they will meet.
“I have really high standards for my students because I know how amazing they are,” said Westerman. “I want students to know that I am there for them and want them to be successful far beyond these four walls. I will be constantly pushing myself to give them new opportunities towards their growth, all they have to do is say yes.”
Molly Olsen
5th Grade - Saratoga Elementary School
Molly Olsen is the newest addition to Saratoga Elementary School, coming into to teach the 5th grade class. Olsen brings two years experience from Pocatello, Idaho where she taught 5th grade as well. She also has a degree in elementary education and English Literature from Idaho State University.
Olsen brings a philosophy of growth to 5th grade, one which she hopes both the students and the parents share with her.
“I think 5th grade is a unique year in that they have the ability to take a lot of accountability for their own actions and their own work. In my classroom, I like to instill a lot of responsibility on the students,” said Olsen. “I like to have a very student-led, student-run classroom. So, parents and students that will be in my class should expect to have a lot of responsibility for their own learning.”
Noelle Peterson
1st Grade - Encampment K-12 School
Noelle Peterson is one of three familiar faces who will be walking the halls of Encampment K-12 School, only as an educator rather than a student.
Along with being a member of the Class of 2019 at Encampment K-12 School, Peterson attended the University of Wyoming where she earned her degree in elementary education. After graduation, she taught for 1st grade for a year in Sheridan, Wyoming.
“I really loved it, loved working with the 1st graders and teaching them how to read was probably my favorite part,” said Peterson. “I just decided that I wanted to be closer to home and back in a smaller community.”
According to Peterson, she wants her parents to be as involved as much as possible in the education of their children.
“I want them to be involved and want them to know that they know their child best,” said Peterson. “We’re going to work together as a team in order to meet their child where they need [to be met].”
As for the students, Peterson is hoping she can be a role model.
“The students should know that I’m here for them and I want to establish a relationship with them, that I’m going to be there for them no matter what,” said Peterson. “Whether it’s something they need help with in the classroom or if it’s personal things outside [the classroom]. I’m a role model and I’m a mentor for them to look up to and trust.”
Rayna Greenwood
3rd Grade - Encampment K-12 School
Rayna Greenwood is the new 3rd grade teacher for Encampment K-12 School, but she’s not a fresh face to the district. Prior to this position, Greenwood worked in Saratoga as a special education aide.
“I worked there for two years and then I decided that I loved working at a school and wanted my own classroom,” said Greenwood. “So, I got my masters in elementary education through Western Governors University. Last year, I did my student teaching at Encampment in the 2nd grade classroom.”
Greenwood shared her expectations for both parents and students as the 2024/2025 school year begins in Carbon County School District No. 2.
“From the parents, I’m going to expect that they participate in their children’s education. My goal is to have parents come into my classroom and see what we’re doing so when they [parents and children] go home, they have something to talk about,” said Greenwood. “So that school isn’t just school with a teacher, it’s school with the child’s whole community.”
As for the students, Greenwood said her exceptions were for them to “show up on time, come to school as much as they can, and be ready to learn and have fun.”
Ryan Searle
Carbon County School District No. 2 Curriculum Director
Ryan Searle is no stranger to Carbon County, having spent the last 17 years in Carbon County School District No. 1.
“[I] Started out as the assistant principal of Rawlins High School, went to the elementary school, went to the alternative high school and, most recently, spent the last seven years at Rawlins Middle School as a principal there,” said Searle.
While principal at Rawlins Middle School, the school was recognized by Solution Tree for its top academic achievements and earned honors as a PLC (Professional Learning Communities) at Work School.
Though he may not get as much interaction with parents and students as other staff members might, Searle did share some expectations he had for both. For parents, he asked them to trust the school district to educate them.
“Trust the school district, to send them here to us,” said Searle. “Know that they’re going to be safe and sound inner schools, that we’re going to be academically safe but that we’re going to have high expectations of their learning.”
For students, Searle said they should know they will have to work hard at their education.
“Students should know that they’re going to have to work hard, while at the same time knowing that we love them and we’re excited to have them in our schools and our classes,” said Searle.”
Siara Hatch
Ag Teacher - Saratoga Middle High School
Siara Hatch is a familiar face but a new addition to the Saratoga Middle High School staff.
“I have a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in business management,” said Hatch. “I have had the opportunity to work on several different ranches and operate our business (Hatch Tack) for the past 18 years.”
Hatch shared her expectations from parents for the new school year.
“I would like the parents to know that I appreciate all those who support the program and that it truly does take a village,” said Hatch. “We are very fortunate to live in a great community that supports the kids and their activities.”
As for the kids, Hatch hopes many of them get involved in FFA, which she advises.
“I want the kids to know that by being in FFA it opens them up to many great opportunities. Agriculture affects every part of our lives and the more we are able to work together the larger the impact we can have for the greater food,” said Hatch. “It can be hard work but is a rewarding lifestyle. I’m excited for this opportunity and look forward to working in the school and with the community.”
Taylor Reynolds
Physical Education - Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow High School
Taylor Reynolds is the new physical education teacher at Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School. She went to University of Wyoming, graduating with a degree in ag business and animals science.
With physical education being a little different than most other classes, Reynolds said she hopes that the students have fun and learn while in her class.
Theresa Lembky
Special Education Teacher - Hanna Elementary School
Theresa Lembky will be serving as a special education teacher at Hanna Elementary School for the 2024/2025 school year, bringing with her years of experience.
“This will be my 24th year of teaching,” said Lembky.
Before coming to Carbon County School District No. 2, Lembky taught for 13 years in Rock Springs. She also taught in Casper and in Phoenix, Arizona. Raised in Wyoming, she returned to the Cowboy State after teaching in Phoenix before teaching in Natrona and Sweetwater counties.
For parents, Lembky believes in having an open line of communication.
“I really believe in communicating with parents, so we’ll really start off with that strong communication about their child,” said Lembky.
As for the students, Lembky said her biggest expectations are for them to show up everyday and to try their best.
Yoshiro Coral
Spanish Teacher - Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow High School
Yoshiro Coral has been teaching for more than two decades, but not necessarily Wyoming or the United States.
“I started teaching 20 plus years ago in my home country of Peru,” said Coral. “I taught all levels: elementary, high school and even college. For the past six or seven years, I’ve worked as an educational coach.”
Going into the new school year, he shared his expectations for parents.
“Education is not merely the teacher’s job. It involves the parents and I would expect their support,” said Coral. “Most of the learning process happens outside the classroom, which entails parent participation.”
As for students, Coral admitted that learning a language is a lot different than any other subject and so expectations may be different.
“Language is just knowing how to use it, situations when to use them and that’s what I would like to create in my classroom,” said Coral.
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