Katherine Feyes

Katherine Feyes will be a first year math teacher this year. She will teach general math classes in 7th and 8th grade as well as geometry, pre-calculus, and pre-algebra/geometry.

She is a graduate of Wichita State University with a degree in secondary mathematics. This will be her first teaching position, but she did her student teaching and extensive classroom observation in the Wichita school district.

Feyes was also the recipient of a Teacher of Promise award from WSU’s College of Education.

Feyes has a daughter, Emma, who is 10 years old.

“I fell in love with the school the moment I saw it,” she said. I’m very excited by the goals and vision of the district and cannot wait for classes to begin.”

Laura Christy

Laura Christy comes to USD 398 from Topeka where she taught one year of general music in elementary school.

A University of Kansas graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music education, Christy will take over the Peabody-Burns band program and the vocal program for middle and high school students.

Her resume includes four years marching with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa.

Christy lives at Cedar Point with three cats and a dog. She is engaged to Tim Leitnaker.

“I’m very excited to meet all of the music students and to continue the tradition of excellence in the Peabody-Burns music department,” she said.

Gretchen Berns

Peabody native Gretchen Berns joins the teaching staff at Peabody-Burns High School as vocational agriculture instructor and FFA sponsor this year.

Berns has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and endorsement in middle school math from Newman University. She has a second degree in ranch management from Texas Christian University.

She taught middle school math in Colorado City, Texas, and was project-based learning adviser in agriculture and social studies at Erie.

Berns also will coach junior high volleyball.

“I hope to build a strong and sustainable vo-ag program at USD 398,” she said. “One that not only ignites an interest and understanding of vo-ag, but molds future leaders for the industry.”

Chris Young

Chris Young is a familiar face around the high school and the community. Young taught current events, social studies, and history and coached football for the district until the end of the 2004-2005 school year.

Young attended Kansas Wesleyan University, Bethel College, and Wichita State University. At Peabody-Burns this year, he will teach middle and high school social studies. He also will be a sophomore class sponsor.

Young is married and the father of four children. His wife Jennifer is a 5th grade teacher at Peabody-Burns Elementary School. His daughter Mackenzie is a senior and son Bryant is a freshman at PBHS. Sons Philip and Alex are 5th grade and 4th grade respectively.

Young has spent a number of years doing private landscaping work. He is anxious to get back into the classroom.

“I hope I can be part of a resurgence of excitement for what Peabody-Burns schools have to offer,” he said. “We have a good system, good communities, and good kids. I hope we can get things going with more school spirit and a positive attitude.”