Six new teachers begin duties at Centre
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Of the six new teachers this fall in Centre USD #397, four have connections to the district.
Kelly Steiner is a 1996 graduate of Centre High School. He teaches English, sponsors the yearbook, and is head coach of the high school football and girls' basketball teams.
After graduating from McPherson College, he taught at Hope for five years and was assistant high school football coach for three of those years. The team went to state twice and won the championship one year.
"I'm really excited to be back," he said. "I'm glad to be here at Centre."
Kelly and his wife Heather live in Pilsen. They have a 9-month-old daughter, Kenidy. Kelly enjoys playing recreational softball and taking walks with his wife and baby.
Megan Stuchlik graduated from Centre High School in 2001 as Megan Luna. Her husband, Ross, also is a CHS alumnus. They live in Tampa.
Megan received her education degree in December 2004, from Emporia State University.
She taught second grade for one year in the Herington school district before coming to Centre, where she also teaches second grade.
"I love it," she said. "I'm excited. Getting to take over from my second grade teacher (the retired Shirley Gutsch) is awesome."
Megan enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Karen Nickel is the new teacher of the 4-Year-Old At-Risk program. She also is a K-4 teacher aide and assistant high school volleyball coach.
She is a graduate of Marion High School and is married to Kacey Nickel, a CHS graduate. They live in rural Tampa.
Karen obtained her higher education from Butler Community College in Marion and Tabor College, Hillsboro, graduating from Tabor in December 2002. She student taught in Marci Cain's sixth grade room at Centre.
Karen always was interested in early elementary education. She worked in day-care and was a paraeducator at Marion Elementary School a few years.
Because of the hours she accumulated in working with young children, she acquired a pre-school director's license.
Eleven students currently are enrolled in her class.
"I'm excited about having my own room, doing things my own way, and having my own students," she said.
Karen has two children from a previous marriage: Tori, 13, an eighth grader, and Kaitlynn, 7, a second grader. She and Kacey also have a three-year-old son, Tyler.
"I don't see us ever moving out of the district," she said.
She enjoys scrapbooking, crocheting, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Ashley Mueller doesn't have direct ties to the Centre school district, but her parents grew up there and her two grandmothers, Marguerite Jirak and Maxine Mueller, and other relatives continue to reside there.
Ashley grew up at Assaria and graduated in 2002 from Southeast of Saline High School.
Her assignment as first grade instructor at Centre Elementary School is her first teaching job. She graduated in May from Kansas State University.
"I love it here," she said. "Everyone is willing to help and is interested in children. They are supportive of each other, the children, and the district."
Ashley lives in Lincolnville. For pastime, she enjoys participating in family activities and shopping.
Ben Brakenhoff is beginning his first experience as a full-time teacher. He teaches high school and eighth grade math.
Ben grew up at Alta Vista and graduated in 1997 from Council Grove High School. After obtaining a degree in 2003 from Concordia University in Seward, Neb., he spent almost the next two years directing Camp Tomashinga, a Lutheran camp south of Junction City. He also was a substitute teacher.
"All the teachers here seem friendly and welcoming, and the administration is very helpful," he said.
He and his wife, Sondra, live in rural Burdick and have an 18-month-old son, Josiah.
Ben enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.
John Keating has degrees in history and education from Kansas State University. He teaches history, current affairs, and study skills. He also serves as assistant football and track coach and is taking Bud Peterson's place as athletic director.
John grew up at Junction City and graduated in 1984 from St. Xavier High School, where he participated in football and basketball and played Centre teams in the Eisenhower League.
His experience as a Rule 10 coach sparked his interest in teaching. After getting his education degree, he was employed in Salina as a school suspension supervisor. His first teaching job was at Valley Falls.
John and his wife, Kaylyn, who also is a teacher, taught at Cunningham, west of Wichita, for the past eight years. She is a Wakefield native, and both wanted to be closer to their families. She now teaches at Ogden.
The couple lives at Junction City. They have two children: Bailey, 18, a freshman at Kansas State University, and Greg, 24, an Iraqi War veteran attending Salina Vocational-Technical School.
John enjoys playing and watching sports. The past 10 years, the Keatings have had season tickets to K-State football games. They also enjoy traveling.
"I've heard a lot of good things about the students, administration, and Centre community. I think working here will be a fantastic experience," John said.
