Morgan County Re-3 School District has 45 people joining the faculty across the district this year. Some are first-year teachers; some are veterans coming from elsewhere and others are moving into new positions within the district.
Fort Morgan High School
Brett Andersen
Brett Andersen is teaching math at Fort Morgan High School.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at Sacramento State University. The veteran teacher is in his eighth year of teaching at the high school level after teaching elementary and middle school for four years each.
Andersen said he got his start in teaching while in high school. He began coaching basketball at that time and was invited to work in the school as a math teacher.
“I loved it from day one and have been working in schools ever since,” he said.
In his free time, Andersen enjoys spending time with his wife and his dog.
Nicole Andersen
Nicole Andersen is also a math teacher at FMHS. She is a 2012 FMHS alum and played volleyball at the University of Mount Olive, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in mathematics and minored in marketing. She then attended graduate school at Howard Payne University, where she coached collegiately for two years and earned a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. After finishing graduate school, Andersen moved back to Colorado and taught at Erie High School for the last four years, while coaching volleyball for Erie High School and Frederick High School.
“I realized how fortunate I was to have so many great teachers and coaches who invested so much into me that I wanted to give back what they were able to give to me. I love working with kids both in the classroom and on the volleyball court,” she said of why she became a teacher.
Andersen enjoys spending time with family and friends, coaching and playing volleyball and being outdoors.
Lorena Mae A. Bellesco
Lorena Mae A. Bellesco is a new special education teacher at FMHS.
She finished her bachelor’s degree in special education at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, and previously taught at Xavier University – Ateneo De Cagayan for five years.
Teaching runs in Bellesco’s family; she said her mom wanted her to follow in her aunts’ footsteps.
“It is actually my dream to be with kids,” she said. “I love teaching kids and one thing that I like is that I can learn a lot from the kids’ perspective in school and towards everyone.”
Bellesco enjoys arts and crafts as well as doing things with her hair. She enjoys spending time with friends in Fort Morgan, and feels lucky to have found a family away from her home in the Philippines.
Elise Cangro
Elise Cangro is the new choir director at FMHS. She earned her choral music education degree from Western Illinois University, and taught middle school in her home state before moving to Colorado.
Both of my parents are educators, so it runs in the family! My dad is a collegiate music educator, so I was excited to follow in his footsteps. I love what I do and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Cangro said.
“I strongly believe that all voices are beautiful voices. I want my students to be able to preach the same thing to their peers.”
Cangro enjoys walking her dogs, grabbing an iced coffee and playing piano in her free time.
Kyla Carpenter
A new English teacher at FMHS, Kyla Carpenter graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in communication and marketing. She has previously subbed for the district, teaching elementary music.
Carpenter said she’s passionate about the subject of English.
“(I) wanted to help students see the real-world application of the things that they learn in school,” she said.
In her free time, Carpenter enjoys writing and reading, kayaking with her dogs and spending time with her family.
Fallon Miner
New English teacher Fallon Miner is finishing her bachelor’s degree at Metro State University in Denver after having studied at Morgan Community College.
“I became a teacher to inspire the young minds of our future through their learning. As an English teacher, I strive to bring the kids back to proper writing techniques and not use texting lingo in their academic papers,” she said. “I also became the advisor for the new FMHS Book and Film club to give the students a community in which they can foster their love of literature.”
Miner stays busy when she’s not teaching, either working on her college coursework or spending time with her husband and their three daughters who are under 2 years old.
Foilan A. Muana
Foilan A. Muana is a new physics and chemistry teacher at FMHS. He holds a secondary education major in physical science, and taught physics and chemistry for about four years at a Regional Science High School in the Philippines.
In his free time, Muana plays soccer at Baker. He is also setting up a home music studio where he can play instruments and sing.
Jacob Norris
Jacob Norris is the new ninth grade counselor at FMHS. He attended Chadron State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in k-8 education in 2021 and is currently working on a master’s degree.
Norris said he was inspired to become a teacher by seeing the impact his parents, Boone and Holley Norris, had on their own students.
“Being a counselor is something that I developed a passion for during my time in college. The idea of having someone to go to when you need guidance is really important to me,” he said. “I live my life around the idea that we are supposed to be good humans by giving and not taking from one another.”
Norris enjoys attending sporting events, working outdoors, playing really bad golf and telling awful dad jokes.
Joeid C. Placeros
A new science teacher at FMHS, Joeid C. Placeros spent nine years teaching in the Philippines and holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education in science and a master’s in education.
Placeros became a teacher to help his students grow and develop their potential to be a good citizen in the world.
In his free time, Placeros enjoys surfing the internet, spending time on social media and reading.
Darlene Quijano
Darlene Quijano is a new ELD teacher at FMHS.
She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics and has 11 years of teaching experience in the Philippines.
She became a teacher to help children learn more, especially in math.
“I want them to love math and make them believe that math is easy because I believe in what a saying goes, ‘Every problem has its own solution,’” she said.
In her free time, Quijano enjoys listening to music and talking to her loved ones.
Dana L. Smith
Veteran teacher Dana L. Smith joins the FMHS faculty teaching 10th grade English. She studied at the University of Northern Colorado and Colorado Christian University, and has 22 years of teaching experience in middle school and GED.
“I feel like teaching was a calling, and I hope I help young people navigate through the year we are together,” she said of why she became a teacher.
She enjoys “puttering in the yard and in the garden,” as well as reading and spending time with her family and her dogs.
Mariana Tiscareño
Mariana Tiscareño is a ninth grade SPED teacher in her first year of teaching. She previously worked as a swim teacher and tutor.
She said she loves watching students think, learn and grow.
She also enjoys rock climbing and hanging out with friends.
Also new to the FMHS faculty are Tahais Guerrero-Rocha, social studies; Liberty Nelson, physical education; and Madalyn Babcock, business/computers/health.
Sherman Early Childhood Center
Diana Baltazar
Diana Baltazar, a new kindergarten teacher at Sherman Early Childhood Center, holds a Master of Education in early childhood education.
She said she loves helping young children discover their potential.
In her free time, she enjoys doing word searches, cross stitch, tending her garden and having coffee with friends.
Claudia Gonzalez
Claudia Gonzalez, who holds a master’s degree, is in her first year of teaching as she leads a kindergarten class this year.
She said she became a teacher because she wants to work with children, help them succeed academically, and have an impact in the community.
Gonzalez enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and hiking.
Jennifer Johs
Jennifer Johs is a special education teacher in training. She will graduate in March with degrees in elementary education and special education.
“I have worked with students of all abilities for 30 years, from preschool to high school,” she said. “For the last 10 years I have worked mostly with students with autism.”
An opportunity in high school to work as a teacher assistant with the special needs program inspired her career.
“I loved watching them grow and experience new things,” she said. “I also wanted to try and make a difference in the lives of children and their families.”
Johs enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her family, camping, hiking and traveling, as well as painting and quilting.
Peggy McLinn
Peggy McLinn is a new kindergarten teacher at Sherman after having spent the past five years teaching preschool. She holds a degree from Colorado Christian University.
McLinn’s desire to become a teacher was born early.
“I had wanted to be a teacher since about fourth grade when I ‘taught’ my toys all they needed to know, but life got in the way and I got sidetracked,” she said. “When it became easier to go back to school due to online classes I jumped at the chance and went back to school.
“I love teaching the younger ones and hope to spark a love for learning.”
McLinn said she is an avid reader and enjoys doing crafty things. She also spends lots of time with her son, who has sparked her interest in all things Star Wars.
Fort Morgan Middle School
Jose Joeigh Cardona III
Jose Joeigh Cardona III is new to the faculty at Fort Morgan Middle School, but not new to education. He brings 22 years’ experience, having served as a teacher, counselor and administrative assistant. He has also served as a volleyball coach for over 30 years.
He said he became a teacher because he loves helping students reach new levels of learning to better serve communities in the future of our country.
When not at school, Cardona enjoys gardening.
Myra Hanson
Myra Hanson is teaching sixth grade social studies at FMMS this year. She holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an elementary licensure and English as a Second Language endorsement.
Hanson said her reason for becoming a teacher is simple: “It is my calling.”
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, canoeing, reading, quilting, singing, visual art and spending time with friends and family.
Rachel Huerta
Rachel Huerta is serving in a long-term substitute teaching role as a STEM teacher at FMMS. She is completing her bachelor’s degree in secondary math education through Western Governors University. She has previously served as a paraprofessional in various capacities for eight years, four of them at FMMS, and has done some substitute teaching as well.
Her experience subbing for a month as a science teacher last year was a good learning experience, she said, and it inspired her to pursue a teaching career.
“I loved the connections I had with students and being able to impact so many lives,” she said. “I wrestled with the idea off and on for a few months, until a well-timed conversation with a teacher friend (who, along with several others, had been encouraging me for years to pursue teaching) made me realize I had nothing to lose by starting online college and working toward a degree.”
In her free time, Huerta enjoys serving her church, playing and listening to music, reading books that make her think deeply, spending time with family and friends and learning about various topics.
Rebekah Nettesheim
Rebekah Nettesheim is teaching Spanish as an elective and DLI at FMMS. She is a first-year teacher after graduating from Regis University with a bachelor’s in Spanish.
She became a teacher to support students and share her love of the Spanish language and culture with them.
In her free time, she enjoys writing.
Jamaal Santos Omamalin
Jamaal Santos Omamalin is a new seventh grade social studies teacher at FMMS. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Cebu Normal University in Cebu City, Philippines, in 2017, and is now completing his master’s in anthropology from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.
He previously spend five years teaching in an all-boys school in Cebu City, teaching grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 in various social studies subjects. He was also the Social Studies Area Coordinator and Senior High School Humanities and Social Sciences Coordinator in the same school.
He said he became a teacher because “I had always wanted to inflict positive and lasting change to my community back home and wherever the wind takes me, and impart significant and impactful knowledge to my students especially on matters concerning their civic duties and overall humanity.”
He enjoys baking, cooking, jogging, working out, binge watching and socializing in his free time.
Matthew Porter
The new vocal music teacher at FMMS, Matthew Porter, graduated from Western Illinois University and spent a year of teaching elementary music in Winfield, Kansas prior to coming to Fort Morgan.
He became a teacher to help young people overcome life’s challenges and grow into lifelong learners, he said.
Porter enjoys spending time with his dogs and playing music.
Karene Ecel Chua Zerna
Karene Ecel Chua Zerna is a literacy teacher at FMMS. She graduated from Silliman University in the Philippines with a master’s degree, and has been teaching for nine years. She previously worked as an English teacher at Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial-Dumaguete Science High School.
She became a teacher because she loves the energy that children have.
“They have become my personal reminder to empty my cup for new learning and to just enjoy every bit of this whirlwind of a life,” she said.
In her free time, she enjoys watching travel and food videos on YouTube and staring at her baby’s photos.
Also joining the FMMS staff are Monnette Defeo, mathematics; Jarred Oberts, social studies; and Patience Vadakin, English language arts.
Columbine Elementary
Christina Frick
Christina Frick is teaching first grade at Columbine Elementary. She holds a Master of Science degree in organizational management.
“I always knew teaching was my biggest passion! I love being a safe and fun person for my first graders to grow and learn with every single day,” she said of why she became a teacher.
In her free time she enjoys going running with her golden retrievers.
Erin Kral
First-year teacher Erin Kral is a dual immersion teacher for fifth grade at Columbine.
She said she became a teacher to support student learning and have a positive impact on students.
She enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors, especially camping and fishing.
Also joining the Columbine faculty is Gay Heart Tabor, teaching fourth grade – Dual Immersion English.
Lincoln High School
Chitlaly “Lala” Lucero Galaviz-Castro
First-year teacher Chitlaly “Lala” Lucero Galaviz-Castro joins the faculty at Lincoln High School as a social studies teacher.
Prior to teaching Galaviz-Castro was involved in audio engineering, the field she studied in college after graduating from Lincoln in 2013.
“I became a teacher because I have always wanted to give back to the community that helped me overcome many obstacles as a teenager, and when I was offered the opportunity I couldn’t walk away from it,” she said.
Galaviz-Castro enjoys singing, beatboxing and teaching her son new ways to discover himself artistically.
“I have always been a singer but everything else has come from becoming a mom. I love spending time with my son and my boyfriend as a family, because this is important to my little guy,” she said.
Also new to the Lincoln High team is Michael Yearous, science and health teacher.
Green Acres Elementary
Madison Holzworth
Madison Holzworth joins the Green Acres Elementary team as a special education teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado, and previously taught special education at Wiggins Middle/High School.
She said she teaches because she loves serving children to help them become functioning, kind adults.
“I enjoy crime podcasts and being with my friends and family,” she said of how she spends her free time.
Also new to the Green Acres staff is Rose Tubay, first grade teacher.
Pioneer Elementary
Adele Runko
Adele Runko, a new fifth grade teacher at Pioneer, previously taught for two years in Bethune.
She became a teacher to make a difference in children’s lives.
She enjoys watching movies and hanging out with her dog, Butterball.
Also joining the faculty at Pioneer are: Sindy Bacus, English language development; Siarez Dexter, fifth grade; Jhondale Ebajay, special education – Education for Life; Regine Lagrimas, third grade; Darren Mackaravitz, counselor and Angel Paclar, special education.
New members of the District Support Center team are school psychologist Mailan Bui and speech language pathologist assistant Celeste Rangel.
