Bryon Hargrove

Subjects taught: College Biology.

Years in education: Over 10 years (four in Olathe District)

Prior schools: Wyandotte High School, Blue Valley CAPS, Project HOPE

Family members: Three kids (2 girls and 1 boy): Ellison 11, Charlotte 8, and Korbyn 6

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher & why: I grew up in a family of educators. My father was superintendent of schools in Montana, my mother was a pre-K/daycare provider. I never planned on being a teacher or going into education! The truth is that I rebelled at first, seeking out careers in biology and chiropractic, but found my passion and love for education through mentoring and coaching kids! It caused me to change careers and I am where I am now because I love what I get to do every day!

       For me, teaching is about seeing students find their passion and helping them on their journey is the most rewarding thing a teacher can experience! It makes the difficult parts of being an educator so worth it! The fruits of our labor are not measured in the amount of money we get paid, but measured in how many students we have helped reach their dreams!

Best part of my work day: Getting to interact with students and making them laugh as we strive to figure out the complex subject of Biology! For me, its breaking away from the traditional style of teaching and finding new ways to reach our students to make learning more interactive and more real world!

Worst part of my work day: Grading students’ papers, quizzes, labs, and examinations and staying on top of students who are struggling in your class!

Hobbies: I am an outdoorsman. I like to hunt, fish, hike and camp with my kids!

Secret talent: I would say solving a Rubik’s Cube, but until I can get it solved in under 3 minutes, I would not consider it a secret talent.

Where I grew up: I was born and raised in Montana. Grew up in Big Sky County.

When I’m not working, I like to: Focus all of my time on my 3 kids and helping them be successful in life; be it coaching them in a sport or challenging them by exploring the world we take for granted!

What teaching has taught me about myself: Be humble. Be honest. Be kind. Be of service.

Some places I have traveled to: I have travelled to almost all the 50 states! I have not bee to Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, or New York. (Favorite place to travel: Michigan or Montana)

Favorite musical group: Queen is my all time favorite.

I like to watch: Netflix.

If I owned a theme park, what would the theme be and why: It would be an extreme adventure park with activities from bungee cord jumping to hot air balloon races! Life is too short to not experience a little thrill!

Nick Hofmeier

Subjects taught: Special education (CBR).

Years in education: Eight years.

Prior schools: Taught at Ottawa High for three years and Eudora High for four years.

Family members: Wife, Bethany.

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher & why: I knew back in sixth grade. I had a great teacher that year.

Best part of my work day: When students begin arriving in my class.

Worst part of my work day: Making copies.

Hobbies: Exercising.

Secret talent: I once had a vocal scholarship for two years.

Where I grew up: Born in a little town, Harper, Kan.; then lived in Pratt, Kan., Wichita, Kan. and Hutchinson, Kan. I spent most of my life in Hutchinson.

When I’m not working, I like to: Spend time with my wife.

What teaching has taught me about myself: That I get my work ethic from my parents.

Some places I have traveled to: I love going to North Carolina to see my nephew, Greyson, and my niece, Cadence. I want to travel more.

Favorite musical group: ZZ Top (rock), and Trip Lee (rap).

I like to watch: “American Pickers.”

What is one thing on your bucket list that you want to do? Become nationally cerified in teaching and get another masters degree, this time in administration and leadership.

Kechia Lake

Subjects taught: American Sign Language.

Years in education: 16 years.

Prior schools: I have taught at Olathe East, Olathe Northwest, Olathe North, CST, Scarborough and Harmony Early Childhood.

Family members: Matt (husband), 2 daughters­­­—Addie (20) and Sydney (17), also 2 sons—Dawson (13) and Colton (7).

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher: I knew I wanted to be a teacher because I’ve always enjoyed working with children.

Best part of my work day: The best part of my work day is when I’m working with my students.

Worst part of my work day: There is not a bad part of my work day!

Tyler Lemke

Subjects taught: Government and Modern World History.

Years in education: Three years.

Prior schools: Wichita Southeast High School.

Family members: Parents and sister.

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher & why: In high school I had amazing teachers that got me interested in the profession.

Best part of my work day: Interacting with students.

Worst part of my work day: End of each hour.

Hobbies: Being active and sports.

Secret talent: Can cook.

Where I grew up: From Minnesota and moved to Kansas City in high school.

When I’m not working, I like to: Be with friends and family.

What teaching has taught me about myself: That I’m constantly learning something new every day.

Some places I have traveled to: Mexico, Bahamas, Hawaii.

Favorite musical group: I don’t have one, but I like country.

I like to watch: Sports and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

If I could have any superpowers, it would be: The ability to fly.

Hannah Powell

Subjects taught: Spanish 1

Years in education: First year!

Prior schools: I taught English as a second language part time for three years in Seville, Spain.

Family members: My mom (Janice Powell, who also teaches at South) my dad, two older sisters (Caley and Caitlin), one little brother (Sam) and two cats (Charlie and Willie).

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher & why: Sophomore year of college, after studying abroad in Spain.

Best part of my work day: When my students use Spanish without being asked!

Worst part of my work day: The end of the day when I’m exhausted but can’t go home yet because I have a thousand things to do.

Hobbies: Sleeping and eating to be honest.

Secret talent: I’m good at making bubble letters.

Where I grew up: Overland Park.

When I’m not working, I like to: Sleep and spend time with friends and family. I also love to travel and go to concerts.

What teaching has taught me about myself: I’m not really sure since I’m so new.

Some places I have traveled to: Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna, London, New York.

Favorite musical group: Pixies, Modest Mouse, Glass Animals, Cage the Elephant, Grouplove.

I like to watch: “The Office” and “Game of Thrones.”

Karen Punswick

Subjects taught: English I.

Years in education: 10.

Prior schools: Blue Valley Northwest High School and Kaplan Academy of Kansas.

Family members: Eric (husband), Anna (13), Jack (10), Grace (6), and Luke (4)

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher & why: I’ve always wanted to be a teacher; my mother and my grandmother were teachers. It’s in our DNA.

Best part of my work day: I love it when students are able to see themselves grow.

Worst part of my work day: I dislike when people choose to be unkind to others.

Hobbies: Cooking, running, reading and chaos coordinator.

Secret talent: I wish I could sing! Maybe it’s just really secret, even to me!

Where I grew up: Mostly around here with a couple of years in the suburb of Seattle.

When I’m not working, I like to: Be with my family.

What teaching has taught me about myself: To continue learning both with and for my students.

Some places I have traveled to: Hawaii, Mexico, throughout the contiguous United States and Europe.

Favorite musical group: U2.

I like to watch: “This is Us.”

Laura Robinson

Subjects taught: Geometry and College Algebra.

Years in education: 20 years

Prior schools:  Indian Trail and California Trail Middle Schools, Olathe East High School.

Family members: Husband Mark, Son Austin (17), Daughter Brooke (14).

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher: Sophomore year in college.

Best part of my work day: Working with students

Worst part of my work day: Grading make-up work

Hobbies: Fishing, swimming.

Secret talent: Name all 50 states in alphabetical order.

Where I grew up: Lenexa

When I’m not working, I like to: Spend time with family.

What teaching has taught me about myself: I have lots of patience.

Some places I have traveled to: Colorado, Arkansas, Nebraska.

Favorite musical group: Faith Hill, Tim McGraw.

I like to watch: “Last Man Standing,” “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Favorite memory from high school: Graduation day.

One item on your bucket list: Own a lake house.

Mark Robinson

Subjects taught: General Physics, Physical Science.

Years in education: 20 years.

Prior schools: Shawnee Mission East, Olathe Northwest.

Family members: Laura Robinson (spouse), Austin (17 years), Brooke (14 years).

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher & why: In college. I wanted to work hard with kids and coach.

Best part of my work day: Being around the kids and seeing them working hard.

Worst part of my work day: Paperwork.

Hobbies: Fishing, disc golf, softball.

Secret talent: Piano, guitar.

Where I grew up: Shawnee.

When I’m not working, I like to: Fishing, hanging out with family, BBQ.

What teaching has taught me about myself: How much I enjoy working with others.

Some places I have traveled to: Colorado, Arkansas, spent a lot of time in the Ozarks.

Favorite musical group: Rush.

I like to watch: “Walking Dead,” “Last Man Standing.”