Lake County schools welcome new teachers to campus
Charlo
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Charlo School District welcomes 11 new staff members this school year.
Shianne DuMont is a first grade teacher who is from the area. She graduated from Salish Kootenai College and has previously taught at K. William Harvey Elementary School in Ronan.
DuMont and husband Drew have three boys, Dawson, 9, Brayson, 6, and Paxson, 4.
She enjoys spending time with her family in her free time.
“My favorite aspect of teaching is getting to work with children every day and inspiring changes for the better,” DuMont said.
Amber Kuefler is the new third grade teacher at Charlo Elementary.
She has previously taught in Salt Lake City, Utahwhere she is from.
Kuefler holds degrees from Salt Lake City Community College and the University of Phoenix.
She is married to Joe Kuefler and her daughter Madysen Welch will start kindergarten this year.
Kuefler enjoys reading, drawing, painting, crafting, cycling in bike-a-thons, hiking, camping, boating and doing anything else outdoors.
Kuefler said she enjoys seeing the “ah-ha” moment when a student learns something new.
Kaylee Larson will be student teaching art and health and physical education to high school students.
Larson graduated from Ronan High School and attended Wenatchee Valley Community College and Montana State University — Northern. She is engaged to Micky Cheff.
In her spare time Larson enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, fishing, snowboarding and reading.
“My favorite aspect of teaching is that I get to learn something new every day,” Larson said.
Christina Madden teaches music to students in elementary, middle, and high school.
Madden has previously taught in Bridger, Montana and Washington. She graduated from Montana State University in Billings.
Madden is married and has two children.
She enjoys music, gardening, cooking, horses, and her family.
She said her favorite aspect of teaching is her students.
“I enjoy seeing them grow and develop as musicians and young adults,” Madden said.
Bethany Manuel is an elementary and middle school special education teacher at Charlo Elementary.
She has lived in the area since 1999.
Manuel graduated from Ronan High School and Salish Kootenai College. She holds a special education endorsement from the University of Montana.
Manuel is married and has five children.
Manuel enjoys coaching softball, watching her children play sports, reading, and spending time with her family.
She said her favorite part of teaching is watching her students accomplish their goals.
Melissa Martin is the high school English and Spanish teacher. She lives in Plains with her husband and son. She is originally from Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Martin loves to ride horses, read, quilt, hike, and spend time with her family.
Michael Michalak is the high school mathematics teacher from Missoula.
He graduated from the University of Montana and has previously taught at Loyola Sacred Heart High School.
Michalak enjoys being outdoors and playing hockey, softball, and volleyball.
His favorite aspect of teaching is being able to help students and see them learn.
Ginger Zempel is the new 21st Century Grant Coordinator at Charlo School.
Zempel grew up in Moiese and she still lives there.
Zempel graduated from Charlo Schools and the University of Montana. She and husband Jeremy have two 7-year-old children Branson and Bryanne.
Zempel said she loves farming and ranching, fishing and spending time with her family. She also enjoys watching and playing sports, and participating in outdoor activities.
Zempel said she is very excited to work with the students, parents, and staff.
Mariah Newell is a first grade teacher who grew up in Eureka. She is a May 2014 graduate of the University of Montana-Western.
Newell completed her student teaching at Cherry Valley Elementary School in Polson last year.
Newell’s parents Ed and Ann Marie Newell are both teachers in Eureka. She has a 25-year-old brother, Tanner.
Newell enjoys spending time outdoors and with family and friends. She also plays sports.
“My favorite aspect of teaching is getting to spend every day around children, and seeing their excitement when they get something right for the first time,” Newell said.
Krysti Reichman is the middle and high school special education teacher who moved to Mission Valley from Texas a few years ago.
Reichman has more than 15 years of teaching experience from her time in Texas, and hold a degree from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi.
Reichman is married to Dana Mark Reichman, and has five children: Stephen Barr, Ian Reichman, Aubrey Reichman, Virginia Gonzales, and Aidan Reichman.
In her spare time Reichman plays bass, and sings as part of a musical duet known as the Wild Flowers.
Reichman said her favorite aspect of teaching is the smiles her children give her.
“Teaching is a privilege,” Reichman said.
Thomas Williams is the high school and middle school science teacher. He previously taught in Eureka and the United Kingdom.
Williams is married with three children.
His interests include camping and traveling.
