By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Four new teachers join Peabody-Burns USD 398 for the 2016-2017 school year.

Tyson Kendrick

Tyson Kendrick will teach elementary school physical education and be athletic director at the Middle School and High School.

He has four years previous teaching experience at Fairfax, Oklahoma and Winfield.

“I was given a great opportunity to become an athletic director,” Kendrick said. “I also found out early that the people in the district have a great energy. I could tell right away that it would be a positive atmosphere.”

Kendrick said he wanted to be a teacher as long as he can remember, thanks to the great teachers in his own life.

“I enjoy being that positive influence in students’ lives and I hope that I can have the same impact on them that so many teachers of mine have had on me,” Kendrick said. “I hope to provide a positive learning environment for all my students, so that they enjoy being a part of all classroom activities. I hope that my students find an appreciation for being physically active so that they can apply to their lives and live healthier lifestyles.”

Mary Miller

Mary Miller will teach sixth grade social studies and high school business and computer courses. She’ll also sponsor Business Professionals of America club at the High School.

She’s spent 17 years teaching.

“This district was appealing to me because of its size and because I had just obtained my license to teach high school business,” Miller said.

She was inspired to become a teacher because of family members who teach and also great teachers she had in school.

“I hope to inspire a love of learning in my students and want them to enjoy coming to class every day,” Miller said.

Shari Thiessen

Shari Thiessen will teach seventh and eighth grade math, geometry, algebra and pre-calculus. She will also sponsor the sophomore class and coach Scholar’s Bowl.

She previously spent four years teaching special education.

“I was ready for a smaller district and also wanted to become a general education teacher,” Thiessen said.

She said she loves seeing what she calls “the lightbulb moment” when kids grasp something, enjoys teen-agers, and enjoys math.

Her hope for her career is to help kids learn the math they need to be successful in life and help kids who have struggled in the past feel successful in something that is difficult for them.

Peggy Shortridge

Peggy Shortridge will teach Spanish at both Peabody and Goessel. She will teach mornings at Peabody. Further information was not available.