Mary Schutz - Family Consumer Science Teacher
Mrs. Schutz has been teaching for 22 years - all at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Dusty and has two children - Tayla who is 20 and Jarrett who is 14. One of her favorite things about being a teacher is that you get to start all over every year. Every year is a new beginning. Her favorite thing about our school is that she feels like we are one big family. Mrs. Schutz is thankful for everything that she has. When she is not at school she likes to sew, camp and spend time with her family.
Christine Lewis - Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Lewis has been in education for 20 years, 5 years of that time at Kimball Public Schools. She has been married for 39 years to her husband Joe. They have one child, Samuel, who is 36. Samuel and his wife Jennifer have three children, 6 year old twins Zoe and Leela and 3 year old Clementine. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is to watch as children begin to realize a specific concept or when they have solved a problem for themselves. Those 'ah-ha' moments are what make the job most satisfying. Her favorite thing about our school is this school year. She feels we, as a staff, seem to be working as a team. She is amazed by the attitudes of administration, staff and students. Mrs. Lewis is thankful for her faith that gets her through each day. She is thankful for a job that is considered 'essential' in the current crisis and is thankful for the 39 years of support her husband has given her - she wouldn't be who she is today if he wasn't in her life. When she is not in school, Mrs. Lewis enjoys spending time with her husband, carpentry, sewing, cooking, eating and watching old movies.
Rebecca Burris - Special Education Para-Educator
Mrs. Burris has been in education for 3 years and this is her first year at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Paul and has four sons and two daughters. She also has eight grandchildren. Her favorite thing about working at the school is working with the kids. Her favorite thing about our school is the dedication that is given to kids - our 'kids first' philosophy. She is thankful for her husband, her family, her job and her life. When she is not in school, Mrs. Burris likes to travel, knit, crochet and spend time with her family.
Andrew McCloud - Digitial Media Assistant/Para-Professional
Mr. McCloud is in his first year in education and first year at Kimball Public Schools (as a staff member - he graduated from Kimball Jr/Sr High School in 2018). At the time he filled out the questionnaire, he listed Hailey Paxton (KPS 2019 graduate) as his girlfriend but I am happy to announce she is now his fiance! His favorite thing about working in the school is that he is able to make a difference to future generations. His favorite thing about our school is that we don't act as co-workers but more as a family. Mr. McCloud is thankful to have his amazing job. When he is not at school, he enjoys spending time with Hailey. On a side note, Hailey has now joined our staff as a Special Education Para-Professional!
Katie Culek - Special Education Teacher
Mrs. Culek has been in education for 5 years - all at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Bob and they have four children: Aubrey, Britton, Cashlyn and Decker. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is seeing students become successful even when they doubt themselves. Her favorite thing about our school is the staff. She is thankful she has the ability to be able to teach her students in person this year. When she is not at the school, Mrs. Culek enjoys spending time with her family.
Luke Maas - Science Teacher and Instruction & Assessment Director
Mr. Maas has been in education for 6 years, 5 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. He is married to Lindsey and they have two children: Brynn (4 years old) and Lennon (16 months old). His favorite thing about being a teacher is challenging students to achieve more than they thought they could. His favorite thing about our school is its family-like atmosphere. We all care for each other. He is thankful for the health of his family and friends. When Mr. Maas is not at school, he likes to read, golf and spend time with his family.
Samantha Walter - English Teacher
Mrs. Walter has been in education for 3 years - all of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Pat and they have a four month old son, Titus. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is getting to know the students and being able to see when they find something that truly interests them. Her favorite thing about our school is that the staff members are incredibly supportive of one another. Something she is thankful for is her new baby boy. When Mrs. Walter is not at school, she enjoys puzzles, playing cooperative board games, hiking and playing with her dogs, Anna and Ziggy.
Jeri Ferguson - Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Ferguson has been in education for 29 years, 19 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Kerry and they have three children, Charles, Kendall and Michael. Charles is married to Tracia and they have a son, Kaden. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is the relationships that she is able to build. She also loves telling stories about history. Her favorite thing about our school is the excitement and enthusiasm that is back. She is thankful for family and friends and the time she is able to spend with them. When Mrs. Ferguson is not at school, she enjoys hanging out with her husband, watching sports, watching movies and reading.
Fred Williams - Math Teacher
Mr. Williams has been in education for 27 years, 11 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. He is married to Linda and they have three girls and nine grandchildren. His favorite thing about being a teacher is seeing students change as they grow up. His favorite thing about our school is having small classes so he can help every student. He is thankful for the country we live in that gives us the freedoms we enjoy daily as well as for his family and friends. When he is not at school, he enjoys being with his family, fishing, hunting and traveling.
Carolyn Montgomery - English Teacher
Mrs. Montgomery has been in education for 28 years, 20 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Edward and they have three children: Karen, Casan and Jenny. Their daughter Karen is married to Matt Moore and they have two children: Archer and Isla. Their son Casan is a Lt. Col select in the Air Force. Jenny has two children: Kameron and William. Her favorite thing about being in education is that she loves teaching her junior high students. Her favorite thing about our school is collaborating with her colleagues. She is thankful for her family and friends. When she is not at school, Mrs. Montgomery enjoys reading, gardening, baking, kayaking and hiking.
Sally Wheeler
Mrs. Wheeler has been in education for 12 years, 7 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Brandon and they have two daughters: Kadence and Lexi. Her favorite thing about being an educator is helping students look at the future and make decisions on what they want their future to look like. She enjoys helping them find possible careers that will make them happy. She is thankful for the grace that is shown by faculty, staff, students, parents and community in this time of unanswered questions and uncertainty. When she is not at school, Mrs. Wheeler spends time with her family and is working on her Masters of Science degree.
Kristi Hiles-Smith
Mrs. Hiles-Smith has been in education for 28 years, 17 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Ken and together they have 4 kids and 3 grandkids. Her favorite thing about education is seeing and working with her awesome band students. Her favorite thing about our school is that we are able to provide our students with such a wide variety of activities to get involved in. She is most thankful for her family. When she is not at school, Mrs. Hiles-Smith loves to read and garden.
Stephanie Kitchens - Math Teacher
Ms. Kitchens has been in education for 10 years, 7 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. She has two brothers, one sister, and lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching the kids grow up through the years. She gets to teach them when they are 7th graders and then she gets to watch them grow over the next 6 years. Her favorite thing about our school is her co-workers and how they are willing to bend over backwards for our students. Things she is most thankful for is her family and motorcycle helmets. When she is not at school, Ms. Kitchens enjoys hanging out with her family and watching sports.
Arlen Mekelburg - Science Teacher
Mr. Mekelburg has been in education for 30 years. This is his first year at Kimball Public Schools. He is married to Melissa and they have two daughters: Mindy and Heather. Mindy is married to Travis and Heather is married to Tyrrell. Travis and Heather have five children (their youngest was born in December). His favorite thing about being a teacher is doing science projects that turn on kids to the subject. His favorite thing about our school is that it has a small town neighborhood feel. He is thankful for the health and happiness of his family. When he is not at school, Mr. Mekelburg enjoys working on projects in the shop - especially woodworking.
Ben Aarestad - Physical Education Teacher
Mr. Aarestad has been in education for 16 years, 4 of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. He is married to Carrie and they have three children: Maddy, Harper and Jax. His favorite thing about being a teacher is watching kids grow up and become productive members of society. His favorite thing about our school is the small class size and that he can have students in his classes multiple times through the years. He is thankful that his family has stayed healthy through the pandemic. When he is not at school, Mr. Aarestad enjoys spending time with his kids.
Jeff Hoatson - Business Teacher
Mr. Hoatson is in his first year of teaching. He is single with no children. His favorite thing about being a teacher is developing relationships and making a difference in the education of students. His favorite thing about our school is the people. He is thankful that he was able to start his career in education. When he isn't at school, Mr. Hoatson enjoys hanging out with friends.
Carmela Graves - District Bookkeeper
Mrs. Graves has been in education for 5 years, 4 months of which have been at Kimball Public Schools. She is married to Tyler and they have four children: Alex, Kenzie, Mady and Bentley. Her favorite thing about being in education is that she loves being part of a great team. Her favorite thing about our district is that she loves how driven our staff is. She is thankful for her kids. When she is not in school, Mrs. Graves enjoys watching her kids play sports or show cattle.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about some of our staff at the Kimball Jr/Sr High School!
I know several students had an extended break due to required quarantine. If your child missed the last couple of weeks of last semester and still have missing work, he/she will have a chance to make up missing work during the upcoming week. All grades will be finalized by January 11th.
We will be providing the NWEA MAPs testing to students during the first week of school. The data from this test will give us an idea of what impact the last two semesters may have had on our students and what interventions we can focus on this semester to help students who may have fallen behind.
I'm looking forward to a great semester ahead!
About Us
Email: Dreader@kpslonghorns.org
Website: Kpslonghorns.org
Location: 901 S. Nadine St.
Phone: (308) 235-4861
