From USD 428
USD 428 is excited to welcome 34 new teachers to the district for the 2026-27 school year.
The new staff members, including veteran educators new to USD 428 and those just beginning their teaching careers, recently completed a five-day New Teacher Orientation. The week provided an opportunity to learn more about USD 428, build relationships with colleagues and mentors, and receive training focused on instruction, curriculum, district policies, and other essential tools for a successful start in the classroom.
As part of USD 428's commitment to developing educators, several new staff members are participating in the district's Instructional Support Personnel (ISP) pathway. ISP educators are filling classroom teaching roles while pursuing a pathway toward teacher licensure. The program provides an opportunity for teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, and other qualified applicants to transition into classroom teaching while receiving the support and preparation needed to become licensed educators.
Each new teacher has also been paired with a mentor teacher who will provide ongoing support and guidance throughout their first one to two years with the district.
“We are so excited to welcome this group of new educators to USD 428,” said JoAnn Blevins, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. “There is so much energy and enthusiasm among our new staff, and our role is to build on that excitement by providing the support, resources, and relationships they need to feel confident and successful as they begin their journey with us. We are thrilled to have them as part of the Panther family.”
Welcome to USD 428…
Barton County Special Services:
· Haley Delgadillo – School Psychologist
· Shelby Turek – Floater (ISP)
District-Wide – Serving all Elementary Schools
· Brittney Seger – Library Media Specialist (ISP)
· Jena Lynn – Digital Literacy Teacher
Eisenhower Elementary
· Judy Alvarez – ESL (ISP), Eisenhower/Lincoln
· Davis Mick – P.E. Teacher/Coach
· Kyrian Keeling – 4th Grade
· Riley Burbank – 2nd Grade
Great Bend High School
· Addie Thompson – Social Studies (ISP)
· Betty Aviles – Spanish (ISP)
· Kristi Mason – Science
· McKenna Cape – English (ISP)
· Omar Trujillo – Band Director
· Rebecca Kooser – Business
· Tina Johnson – PE & Panther Volleyball Coach
Great Bend Middle School
· Brandon Smith – Vocal Music Accompanist
· Jake Brewer – Science (ISP)
· Mikayla Spitler – Science
· Mike Marzolf – Computer Technology
· Taunya Buehler – English (ISP)
· Taylor Satterthwaite – PE & Panther Boys Basketball Coach
Jefferson Elementary
· Amy Herter – 3rd Grade
· Cheyenne Roach – Kindergarten (ISP)
· Tera Switzer – 6th Grade
Lincoln Elementary
· Adriana Arras Rodriguez – 1st Grade
· Ethan Wedel – Vocal Music
· Mikayla Biermann – Resource Room & Panther Girls Basketball Coach
Little Panthers Preschool
· Courtney Case – Preschool
· Grace Grandclair – Preschool (ISP)
· Kori Hammeke – Preschool (ISP)
Park Elementary
· Emily Mooney – 3rd Grade
· Janes McCormick – 1st Grade
· Melissa Miller – Kindergarten
Riley Elementary
· Alannah West – ESL
USD 428 looks forward to supporting these new team members as they begin the 2026-27 school year and become an important part of the Great Bend school community.
For anyone interested in learning more about teaching careers of the ISP pathway, please visit 428jobs.net or contact the District Education Center at 620-793-1500.