Staff Changes
LPS would like to welcome some other new staff members to our community and school , as well as congratulate some existing staff members on new positions and assignments !
Mrs . Rebecca Vega will be the interim 5-6 th grade teacher at LPS for the coming year . Mrs . Vega has been a substitute for our district for the past two years , and served as the long-term substitute for our 5-6 th grade classroom last spring . Mrs . Vega graduated from Suny Oneonta Teacher ’ s College in Oneonta , New York in 2006 . She taught for seven years in Rome City Schools , and five of those years were spent as a 5 th grade teacher . Mrs . Vega returned to Nebraska in August of 2014 and has been working as a substitute in the area since .
Mr . Brian Johnson has been selected as the new Industrial Technology and Agriculture instructor for the coming year . Alongside this position , Mr . Johnson will assume the role of FFA advisor , will be a liaison between the school and Trotter ’ s Greenhouse , and will help facilitate the Farm-to-School movement at LPS . Mr . Johnson graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in the Science of Agriculture in 1998 . Mr . Johnson has volunteered in the Ag program and with FFA in Broken Bow Schools and has experience in many facets of Agriculture .
Mrs . Leah Kenney has accepted the position of 7-12 science instructor at LPS for 2016-17 . Mrs . Kenney is a graduate of the University of Nebraska . She obtained a degree in communication and psychology in May of 2015 . Mrs . Kenney has been a part of an after-school mentoring program ( the Bright Futures Program ) and has been a substitute in Kearney High School . Her degree in Science Education comes from UNK .
Mrs . Michelle Buchanan will be the new junior high mathematics and reading teacher this year . Mrs . Buchanan ’ s graduated with her Bachelor ’ s in 1991 with a double major in elementary and middle level education from the University of Northern Colorado . She is endorsed in 4-9 mathematics instruction . In 1999 , she received her Master ’ s in Instructional Technology from Peru State College . Mrs . Buchanan taught 7 th grade mathematics at Ralston Public Schools for five years , while also coaching various sports . She then taught 8 th grade mathematics in Millard for two years . She met her husband , Tobin , and left teaching to stay home with her three boys- William , Beau , and Ben . Once they entered school , Mrs . Buchanan began teaching high school mathematics in Perkins County , where she stayed for three years . Mrs . Buchanan ’ s family moved to Kearney a year ago , where she had been working as a substitute . Mrs . Buchanan ’ s grandmother , Ellen Fisher Patton , got her very first teaching job at Litchfield , and partially because of that , Mrs . Buchanan is excited to teach here as it is “ already a special place ” to her .
Mrs . Sherrie Klein will be joining LPS as a Special Education ( SPED ) instructor this year . She is a fourth-generation Nevadan . Her Bachelor ’ s comes from Colorado State University , and her Master ’ s in Special Education comes from the University of Nevada , Reno . Mrs . Klein has taught elementary , 6 th grade , 3 rd grade , physical education , art , resource , and special education over the course of the past 35 years in the Washoe County School District . She and her husband , Ed , who is from Hastings , NE moved to Ravenna last summer with their two cats , two dogs , and three horses . Mrs . Klein has a daughter , Emily , son-in-law Paul , two grandchildren- Molly , 8 and Joe , 6 in Reno , Nevada , and a son , David , who is currently serving in the Army in Seattle , Washington .
Mrs . Susan Poland has accepted the position of school guidance counselor for the coming year . After obtaining her degree in 2007 , Mrs . Poland worked as a substitute and paraeducator at various schools in the area and taught summer school at Boy ’ s Town in Omaha . In 2009 , Mrs . Poland began teaching mathematics and reading to our 7 th and 8 th grade students at LPS . She has since taken on additional duties as a summer school instructor , head / creator of the After School Program , school improvement team member , president of the Litchfield Teacher Association , coach / creator of the “ Little Stackers ” program , and class sponsor for the class of 2016 . Mrs . Poland spent the past two years co-teaching counseling classes with Mrs . Kluender and has taught study skills , careers , and personal finance classes . During her time co-teaching , Mrs . Poland gained experience in student scheduling , high school student education plans , and many other parts of the role of guidance counselor .
Mr . Cannon Blauvelt is the current physical education and health instructor at LPS and will be assuming the role of Activities and Athletics Director this year . Mr . Blauvelt received his degree from Wayne State College in K-12 in Physical Education and Health , and is currently working on an Administrative Degree . Mr . Blauvelt has been with LPS for five years this year and has taken on many extra duties in that time , including coaching several sports , both boys and girls , at the high school and junior high levels . Mr . Blauvelt will work with Ansley ’ s Activities Director , Jake Stokley , to coordinate the athletics department for our Ansley-Litchfield Spartans ’ competitions , events , and practices .
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