Mexico Schools welcomes 23 new teachers and four returning to the district this school year. 

The new staff participated in a five-day professional development, which included general district information regarding classroom best practices, special education information, trauma-informed structures, teacher certification follow-ups, feedback and grading, and more. The district’s instructional coaches thoughtfully organized and facilitated the week: Carey Knipfel, elementary coach, and Lara Brunk, secondary coach. 

The new Bulldog staff also enjoyed general welcomes from school and community guests. Superintendent Troy Lentz and Assistant Superintendent Julie Lower offered building tours via school bus for the new staff members where they participated in a fun game at each campus site. Teachers also scoured the square on a small-business scavenger hunt that ended at the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meet & Greet for new teachers and district administrators. 

The district is thankful for the business partners and organizations who sponsored breakfasts and lunches for the new teachers while they participated in the week’s events.

All district staff return on Tuesday, August 13, and school starts on Wednesday, Aug. 21. 

Parents are encouraged to check their emails regularly for school updates as well as download the Infinite Campus and ParentSquare apps for district communications. Information will also be shared on the district and building Facebook pages. 

McMillan Teachers: 

Katlin Constable, PreK

Nicole Mann, Kindergarten

Eugene Field Teachers:

Sidney Atkinson, 1st Grade

Kayleigh Henry, 3rd Grade

Haley Chastain, 4th Grade

Beth Alexander, 5th Grade

Hawthorne Teachers:

Alisha Early, 1st Grade

Reghan Smith, 1st Grade

Sarah Mahnken, 2nd Grade

Tiffany Hooker, 3rd Grade

Megan Schutte, 3rd Grade (Returning)

Jared Shulse, Music

Melissa Femlee, Special Education

Mexico Middle Teachers: 

Tarica (Terry) Pickett, Science

Tim Schoonover, Math (Returning)

Tyler Lankford, Health (Returning)

Aimee Blackburn, Counselor (Returning)

Mexico High Teachers: 

Skylar Adams, Science

Brandon Haskey-Valerius, Science

Lillian Mann, English/Language Arts

Abigail Dirigo, English/Language Arts

Kevin Krietemeyer, Social Studies

Samantha McCurdy, Special Education

Izaq Davolt, Social Studies-Special Education

Hart Career Teacher:

Casey Arnold, Diesel Tech

District Educators: 

Cailtin Wisdom, Process Coordinator

Wendy Lentz, Attendance Coordinator