Holyoke schools welcome 8 to teaching staff this year

     With the 2017 school year starting Aug. 17, Holyoke schools have welcomed seven new teachers and an elementary school counselor on board. Joining new counselor Kathleen Kropp in the elementary school are kindergarten teacher Tina Rana, first-grade teacher Tancy King and Jade Goldenstein as the elementary art teacher.
     At the JR/SR high school, new teachers are Zach Kubik in physical education, Jimmy French teaching math, Karen Ortner in family and consumer sciences and Hannah Petersen for social studies.
     Half of the newcomers are HHS alumni themselves, and some have already worked within Holyoke schools. Regardless of their widely varied backgrounds, however, each is entering the current year with enthusiasm.
    
Kathleen Kropp
     Transitioning from the private sector, Kropp will  be serving as the counselor for kindergarten through sixth grade. She’s looking forward to getting to know the students at the elementary school as she works to address some of the emotional and social challenges they face. Her goal is to take a holistic approach to meeting students’ needs and helping with character development.
     Kropp is a licensed professional counselor who spent the last year working in her private practice, Life Spoken Counseling. She has also worked as a mental health professional/counselor for Centennial Mental Health Center. During that time, she did some contract work with Holyoke Elementary.
     Kropp studied psychology at the University of Portland in Oregon, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. She obtained her master’s in counseling from the University of Colorado-Denver.
     Day to day at the school, Kropp will work with students, and she will provide weekly lessons to each grade from the Second Step curriculum. She will be representing the school by serving on the Phillips County Child Protection Team and will work closely with Phillips County Department of Human Services.
     As she begins working at the school, Kropp noted her appreciation for a district that recognizes the need for a counselor and said that she hopes to continue the positive role that previous counselors set in motion.
     A 1998 graduate of HHS, Kropp moved back to Holyoke with her husband, Casey, in 2006 so he could farm in the area. They have three daughters, Katelyn, Isabelle and Molly, who are students at the elementary school and are super excited for their mom to work there. When they’re not at school, the family enjoys spending time together, and Kropp likes crafting and working out.

Tina Rana
    Rana comes to Holyoke Elementary School with 16 years of experience, but this will be her first time teaching in a kindergarten classroom. She is readily embracing the challenge of instructing a new grade level. Previously at Hemet Unified School District in California, she taught, at various times, second, third and fourth grades. She acknowledged that she has a lot of work ahead of her but knows that it will be worthwhile.
     A 1986 graduate of HHS, Rana knows firsthand the impact the school can have on its students. “I’m looking forward to serving the community and the school in which I was supported growing up,” she said, and noted that she had many teachers, including Susan Ortner and Clark Ginapp, who made a lasting difference in her education and the choices she has made.
     Rana completed both her undergraduate studies and a master’s in elementary education at University of Northern Colorado. After being away from her hometown for so long, she considers herself extremely fortunate to have found a job opening in Holyoke, enabling her to again live near her parents, Larry and Sally Young. She and her son, Zachary Young, moved to Holyoke in late June, and he is working at the Peerless Theatre.
     When she’s not teaching, Rana enjoys cooking, but since she has only recently returned to Holyoke, she’s spending the majority of her time with family, making up for the time they spent apart and embracing the opportunity to be together.
    
Tancy King
     King has worked at Holyoke Elementary School for over a decade, and she is thrilled to begin teaching a first-grade class this year. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” she commented. For nine years, King served as a kindergarten paraprofessional, and she loved being in the classroom.
     For the last two years she has been the full-time elementary school secretary. During that time she started an online elementary teacher prep program through Grand Canyon University. She had previously completed two years at Northeastern Junior College and had taken courses at Metro State College in Denver.
     Prior to her work at Holyoke Elementary, King worked for two years as a one-on-one paraprofessional for a special education student who attended the Dragon’s Wagon Preschool.
     With the school year beginning, King is excited to get back into the classroom and for it to be her own. She brings an excitement to the position, as well as a love for the students and for learning.
     Holyoke is truly home to King, who was born and raised here, graduating from HHS in 1990 and going on to raise her own kids in the community. She has two grown children, Preston and Maddie, and her son, Mason, is a sophomore at HHS. Most of her time is spent supporting her children in sports and extracurricular activities, but King also noted that she has a great group of friends that she enjoys spending time with.
    
Jade Goldenstein
     Excited for the opportunity to get back to doing art every day, Goldenstein will be teaching K-6 art this year.
     A 2001 graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in interior design, she has long been drawn to a career path in visual arts and design. She has experience working in model home merchandising in Denver, as well as for a floor company in Fort Collins.
     For the last decade, Goldenstein has kept busy raising her children and has worked part time at Holyoke First Baptist Church for the last three years. As a mom, she is pleased to be returning to full-time work in a job that is compatible with kids’ schedules.
     Both Goldenstein and her husband, Luke, are 1997 HHS alumni. In 2012 they moved back to town to raise their four children, Cooper, Adison, Kyle and Cole. “Holyoke’s just always been our hometown — for Luke and I both,” Goldenstein said. “As our kids got older, we wanted to bring them back here for the unique childhood experiences.” In Holyoke, Luke works as a contract motorsports engineer and with his father, Alan, in Goldenstein Construction.
     While their oldest is just starting seventh grade and is missing the chance to be in his mom’s class, Goldenstein will be teaching her first- and sixth-grade daughters, who she said are excited for the opportunity but nervous about calling her “Mrs. Goldenstein.” Their youngest, Cole, will be in preschool this year.
     In her free time, Goldenstein enjoys recreation with her family, riding bikes, swimming and going to ballgames. Accustomed to the contagious energy of her own children and the youth she works with at church, she is thrilled to spend her days with students and share her passion for art with them.
    
Zach Kubik
     Fresh out of college and eager to assume a teaching role, Kubik has already been getting to know his students and colleagues through summer strength and conditioning, as well as football camps and, as of this week, junior high and high school football practice, for which he is an assistant coach. Once school begins, he will be teaching weights, general physical education and seventh-grade P.E.
     Kubik moved last December to Wray from Mitchell, South Dakota, where he graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s in sports exercise health and wellness and sports management. He played football at DWU for five years and was a strength and conditioning intern.
     In the months since moving to Wray, Kubik has worked at Dollar General and Cobblestone Inn & Suites, but he is excited for his new job opportunity at HHS. “I really wanted to teach weightlifting and physical education,” he noted. “That’s what I love to do.” He added that he’s both nervous and excited for his first year teaching, but he’s especially looking forward to getting to know his students and the other teachers, who will undoubtedly appreciate the smile and enthusiasm he will bring to Holyoke, as well.
     Originally Kubik is from Greenwood, Nebraska, where he was a 2012 graduate of Ashland Greenwood High School, so he is no stranger to small-town living. Since moving to Wray and beginning his job in Holyoke, he’s enjoyed getting to know the communities, which he noted have been very welcoming.
     In his free time, Kubik enjoys spending time with his fiancée, Daryl Clark, who is a second-grade teacher in Wray.
    
Jimmy French
     A Brooklyn, New York, native, French is entering his first year as the algebra and pre-algebra teacher at Holyoke JR/SR high after spending the last five years working at an international Christian boarding school in Granbury, Texas, as a resident parent. There he worked primarily with junior high and high school boys.
     After working on the residential side of a school, French is looking forward to entering a job directly aligned with his field of study. After graduating from Stuyvesant High School in 2007, he attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in math and computer science. “It’s definitely a big change, but I’m excited to get to know the kids and start our year together,” he said.
     French has experience tutoring students of all skill levels — many who are English language learners — and has worked as a contracted SAT-prep lesson writer. He has an evident passion for helping others learn and grow, meeting them where they’re at. French believes that his background and upbringing will give him a unique perspective at HHS.
     In the six months since moving to Holyoke with his wife, Jes-c, French has already had the opportunity to meet some of his new students and community members through his involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the First Christian Church, as well as by serving as an umpire for summer baseball and softball. Such activities also provide French an outlet for some of his favorite pastimes — sports and playing guitar. He also enjoys going to the movies and volunteering at the Peerless Theatre.
    
Karen Ortner
     Returning after two years away, Ortner will once again be teaching the high school family and consumer science classes and will be the adviser for the Holyoke chapter of Family Career and Community Leaders of America.
     A 2007 graduate of Akron High School, Ortner’s first year of teaching was 2011-12 at HHS after graduating from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s in FACS with an emphasis on education. She taught and served as the FCCLA adviser for four years before seeking a job that would give her more time with her young family.
     During her previous teaching experience, Ortner was recognized as the innovator of the year in the 2015 Emerald Awards. That year, she was also recognized by the state association of FCCLA with a master adviser award.
     For the last two years she worked as a reporter for the Enterprise. Now back at HHS, she will be teaching fashion, child development/nutrition and wellness, catering, 21st century skills, relationships/life management and introduction to FACS.
     Ortner is looking forward to working with students again and is returning to her classes and FCCLA with some ambitious goals. In particular, she wants to focus on the community aspect of FCCLA, emphasizing being active on a more local level. Likewise, one of her classroom highlights will be a student-chosen-and-directed community service project.
     With her recent experiences outside the classroom, Ortner said she has gained some valuable new perspective and is going into the school year feeling better able to balance things. She is excited to guide her students toward taking more ownership of their classes and projects.
     Ortner enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and their children, Brianna and Casey. She also likes crafting and selling Premier Designs jewelry.
    
Hannah Petersen
     Assuming the role of government, economics and U.S. history teacher is first-year teacher Petersen. After student teaching at Greeley West High School, she is most looking forward to having her own classroom. With seven years of experience at Poudre and Mountain View high schools and the Colorado North Stars Volleyball Club, she is also serving as the head coach for Holyoke’s high school volleyball team this year.
     After graduating from Mountain View High School in 2008, Petersen earned a bachelor’s in history and anthropology from University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in 2014. She completed a secondary postbaccalaureate program at University of Northern Colorado, earning her teacher licensure.
     Prior to moving to Holyoke, Petersen lived in Loveland, where she worked at Mariana Butte Golf Course. She has also served as a substitute teacher in Thompson School District and was a substitute paraprofessional and teacher in a preschool classroom.
     The move to Holyoke has been an adjustment, Petersen said, but she likes the small-town environment. Having lived and worked in larger cities, she brings a unique perspective to the Holyoke classroom, and her experience with Advancement Via Individual Determination and Advanced Placement classes will be an asset.
     When she’s not teaching, Petersen enjoys golfing, hiking and hanging out with her cat.