Danielle Retzlaff

Danielle Retzlaff has six years of experience under her belt coming into Peabody-Burns Elementary School where she will teach fourth grade.

Previously she has taught first and second grades as well as seventh and eighth grade communications.

Retzlaff is a graduate of Dodge City Community College and Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. She and her husband, Larry live in Hesston.

Retzlaff’s hope for the coming school year is that all her fourth grade students have a successful year.

Debby Tyson

Debby Tyson comes to Peabody from rural Whitewater. She previously taught in the Newton school district at Santa Fe Middle School where she instructed seventh and eighth graders in language arts.

Tyson also spent one year as a substitute in the Remington district teaching elementary vocal music.

She has a degree from Tabor College.

She and her husband, Karl have six children: Clay and wife Kristen in Wisconsin, Nicki and husband Ben in Iowa, Tina and husband Justin of Elbing, Katy in Iowa, Ben in Wichita, and Abby in fifth grade at Remington Middle School.

She enjoys reading, sewing, camping, and having fun with her family.

When asked her expectations for the coming school year, she said, “I hope to help my students reach some education and personal goals.”

Stephanie Pratt

A familiar face will be seen in a program new to USD 398 this year.

The face belongs to Stephanie Pratt, a 2005 graduate of Peabody-Burns High School and a 2008 graduate of Pittsburg State University with a degree in early childhood development. She is the daughter of Barry and Beth Peter of Peabody.

The program is the new day-care program called “Wee Warriors.” Children enrolled in this program have parents employed by the district.

Pratt is excited to get to know her students and be part of a new program she feels will be an asset to the district.

“I think that this is a wonderful program and I am so excited to be a part of it,” she said.

Pratt’s classroom is in the Peabody-Burns High School building.

Kerry Czarnowsky

Teaching art to all grades in a district is a big undertaking. New instructor Kerry Czarnowsky thinks it is challenging and interesting as well.

“It is exciting to work with a complete K-12 program,” she said. “We have ordered some new equipment and supplies and it will be exciting to see what the students create.”

Czarnowsky recently returned to school to complete her degree in art education at Wichita State University. This is her first year as a teacher.

She also is a junior high volleyball coach this fall.

Czarnowsky is married and has three children. She and her family live in Newton.

Beth Piper

A full load of science classes will fill Beth Piper’s plate this fall. She will handle instruction for high school students enrolled in biology, chemistry, environmental science and anatomy and physiology.

Piper lives in North Newton where her husband is employed at Bethel College. The couple has three children.

Piper attended Washington State University and Bethel. She is excited to inspire her students to enjoy studying science and hopes to nurture future scientists.

Glenn Bechtel

Glenn Bechtel, a native of Eureka, will teach vocational agriculture, sponsor FFA, and take on the job of assistant wrestling coach if enough students want to participate.

Bechtel is single and a graduate of Labette County Community College and Kansas State University. He received an associate degree in history at Labette. At KSU he earned his bachelor of science degree in agriculture education.

Bechtel, who grew up on a ranch, has one year of teaching experience under his belt. He says he is “looking forward to a fun and productive year with my students and FFA members.”

He enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.