By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Carrie Minton has worn many hats in her time at Great Bend High School: student, athlete, coach, teacher, Panther Mom. She has spent more than half of her life in some role at the school. Now, she's adjusting to a new position at the school after taking on the job of assistant principal effective Aug. 1.
"I'm excited about having a different role within the school," she said. "The opportunity to get outside of the classroom, but yet still be very involved with all the students, is probably what I'm looking forward to the most."
Minton graduated from Great Bend High School before earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She later earned a master's degree in education administration from Fort Hays State University. She returned home to Great Bend, where she immediately began teaching and coaching at the high school. Now entering her 26th year in education, all but four of those years have been at GBHS.
Minton was an assistant basketball and softball coach from 1999-2004, then served as head basketball coach from 2012-2020. She has been the head softball coach since 2010. Her 2024 Lady Panther squad advanced to state for the first time in nine years, and her 2025 squad missed state by a single run. Minton will especially miss that group of young ladies as Shawn Behr was hired to lead the team in 2026.
"They've done some really fantastic things and created a lot of excitement over the last couple of years," said Minton. "Knowing I was going to be taking a step back from that part of it was pretty difficult, but I was pretty confident they would be able to find somebody to lead the program."
Minton will replace Kip Wilson in her new role and join Principal Brock Funke and Assistant Principal Dustin Klassen on the administrative team. Minton's focus will be on disciplinary issues for junior and senior classes, as well as overseeing the vocational classes and the English Department.
She will not be alone in her new role. Minton currently has two kids of her own at the school in Daxton, a senior, and Mikala, a sophomore. Daxton is entering his third year as starting quarterback for the football team, and has also helped the Panther basketball and baseball teams to state tournaments. Mikala played in the state volleyball tournament and ran state track as a freshman.
"It just gives me a different perspective on their daily lives here at the high school," Carrie said. "When I was in the classroom, they'd stop by periodically throughout the day. Now, I have the opportunity to see them multiple times. I'll get to enjoy all of their activities, especially the spring sports. The fall and winter weren't major factors, but in the spring, it will be nice to get to go watch and support them."