Lake County schools welcome new teachers to campus
Polson Triathlon is big hit, continues to grow
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Adrienne Barnes is teaching Spanish at Polson High School. A PHS graduate, she taught English as a Second Language in Japan for four years.
Barnes earned her degree from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
As far as family goes, “I have two brothers, two sisters-in-law, three nieces, three nephews, parents, grandparents and more aunts, uncles and cousins than I can count,” Barnes said.
A music and movie fan, Barnes also likes being outdoors — running, cycling, skiing, snowboarding, hiking and dancing — traveling and learning about foreign cultures and languages.
“The students are definitely my favorite part of teaching,” Barnes said. “I enjoy getting to know them, their humor, their interests and their dreams. My biggest payoff in teaching is when I see students challenge themselves and accomplish tasks they previously thought impossible.”
Abigail Connolly comes to Polson High School from Kalispell.
After graduating from the University of Montana, Connolly’s first year of teaching will be in Polson. She’ll teach English 12, the writing lab and global issues in social studies.
Kyle Dunn teaches biology and earth science at Polson High School.
“I’m going to teach (science) until it quits being fun,” Dunn said, with a smile.
A graduate of the University of Idaho, Dunn previously taught in the Lewistown and St. Mary’s schools in Idaho.
He and his wife and two children, ages 2 and 3, moved to Polson from Moscow, Idaho. He likes “everything outdoors,” and he’s interested in all kinds of music. Dunn also plays the banjo.
His favorite aspect of teaching is the kids.
“I look at teaching as opening doors,” Dunn said.
• Adam Burke will be teaching fifth to eighth grade math in the learning center at Polson Middle School.
Although this is his first year as a teacher, Burke has worked with PMS students for six years as a special education paraprofessional.
He earned his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University and his bachelor’s from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Burke and his wife, Julie, have two children. Logan is a second grader, and Ella is a kindergartner. Julie is the district’s speech pathologist.
Burke loves to read and is a big gamer. He also likes to spend time with his family.
“ When working with kids, I like it when the light bulb goes off,” Burke added.
• Katrina Trotter will serve as PHS’s graduation coach.
“I love being with teenagers all day,” Trotter said.
A transplant from South Carolina in 2013 and a University of South Carolina graduate, Trotter taught at Kicking Horse Job Corps.
Trotter and her husband, who just retired from the United States Army, moved to Polson with their three children: Levi, 17; Sam, 15; and Ava Grace, 6.
When she’s not teaching, Trotter loves to kayak, hike and camp.
