Eleven new teachers were officially welcomed to their ranks on Monday.
Kristi Bohl
Kristi Bohl will be an eighth grade teacher for ELA at Kepley Middle School. Originally from Hugoton, Kans., Bohl received her bachelor of arts in English from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla. Bohl is not new to the USD214 system.
"I've taught 18 years in Ulysses," Bohl said. "Last year I decided to spend more time with my family and quit teaching. I subbed last year and found that I really missed teaching and the kids. The opportunity came to come back to Kepley and I couldn't say no!"
Bohl has been in Ulysses for almost three decades.
"We moved to Ulysses in 1996, when my husband accepted a job," she said. "I am excited to be back in a familiar place with all my friends."
Bohl is also not new to ELA, as that is where she has spent her 18 years of teaching at Ulysses.
She did not always think she wanted to go in to teaching.
"Originally, I wanted a job that worked with my children's schedules, but I realized I love literature and spending time with kids," Bohl said.
Bohl and her husband, Marty, have been married for 32 years. They have four children: Derek, Craig, Ashlin, and Braden. Their son, Craig, and his wife, Aubree, have two children.
"Our grandson, Witten, starts kindergarten in Ulysses this year, and Sutton is 2 and a half," Bohl said. "Our son, Derek, and his wife, Katie, are expecting our third grandbaby later this year."
Kara DeLauretis
Kara DeLauretis will be teaching special education at Kepley Middle School. DeLauretis comes to Ulysses from Clearwater, Kans.
DeLauretis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies at Sterling College; her MLit of Medieval and Early Modern Studies from the University of Aberdeen; and her Master of Science in High Incidence Special Education from Fort Hays State University.
She said she decided to make the move to Ulysses because of the "new opportunity".
Prior to coming here, she taught five years at Hugoton in special education.
DeLauretis is not married and enjoys doing puzzles and reading in her spare time.
Charles Dirks
Charles Dirks will be teaching mathematics at Ulysses High School.
Originally from Haven, Kans., Dirks earned his Associates Degree from Hutchinson Community College, his Bachelor of Science of Secondary Education at Kansas State University; and his Master's of Education at Emporia State.
Dirks taught for eight years at Medicine Lodge High School and 10 years at Cimarron High School. He saw the move to Ulysses to be an opportunity.
"I'm always excited about new challenges," Dirks said. "It is a great opportunity for my family."
Dirks enjoys doing "almost anything outdoors" and says he loves playing chess.
He and his wife, Kacie, have a son, Rick.
Shelley Gaddis
Shelley Gaddis will be teaching eighth grade science at Kepley Middle School.
Originally from Minnesota, Gaddis lived in Illinois for 20 years prior to moving to Ulysses. She earned her Associate's in Science from Cotley College; her Bachelor's in Science from Pittsburg State; and her Master's in Education from the University of Illinois (UIC) in Chicago.
Gaddis and her family moved to Ulysses in 2020 to be closer to family.
"I have been a teacher and para for 20 years," Gaddis said. "This is my 15th year teaching. I've taught third grade and pre-K through eighth grade special education. I've always wanted to work with children and I love science."
Gaddis' husband, Jeremy, works for Redwood Software and is able to work from home. Their daughter, Aria, will be a senior this year and son, Lane, will be a freshman.
In her spare time, Gaddis enjoys camping, swimming, hiking and being outside.
Nickcole Guerrero
Nickcole Guerrero will be teaching third grade at Sullivan Elementary School.
Guerrero was born and raised in Ulysses. She attended Ulysses High School before going on to earn her Associates Degree at Seward County Community College in Liberal. She is currently enrolled at WSU where she is working on completing her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary education.
"I absolutely enjoy children," Guerrero said. "After teaching Pre-K, I thought how wonderful it would be to teach third grade - a grade where children can tie their own shoes and clean their own nose, but still young enough to accept hugs."
Guerrero is looking forward to teaching in Ulysses Schools.
"I'm excited to teach in a community where I grew up - teaching my family and friends' kids."
Prior to Kepley Middle School, she was the lead teacher at KCSL (Headstart) for six and a half years.
"I came in early December 2022 and taught fifth grade math," she added.
Guerrero and her husband, Juan Rico Sr., have been married for 23 years. They have three children.
"My husband is a plumber and enjoys driving his lowrider," Guerrero said. "My daughter, Destineee is currently attending Seward County Community College for her second year. My son, Juan Rico Jr., is a senior this year and he enjoys playing baseball. My youngest Chucho Rico is going into the seventh grade. He enjoys drawing and making music."
In her spare time, Guerrero enjoys spending time with her family.
"My biggest joy is watching my son play baseball," she said. "I also love collecting overseas Starbucks' cups."
Guerrero had a message to her fellow educators for the school year.
"I wish all the new and existing teachers a successful school year," she said.
Shelby Herrman
Shelby Herrman will be teaching art at Ulysses High School.
Originally from Great Bend, Kans., Herrman earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Fort Hays State University. She is currently working on her Bachelor of Science in Education.
Her interest in teaching came from her own experiences.
"I had a great K-12 school experience and want to provide the same for future generations," Herrman said. "Art has always been a constant in my life."
This is Herrman's first year teaching and she is looking forward to being a part of the educators here.
"I heard great things about the school and community," Herrman said. "I'm excited because the art program is strong."
Herrman is single and in her spare time she enjoys cooking and traveling.
Nadia Padilla
Nadia Padilla will be teaching fourth grade at Sullivan Elementary.
Born and raised in Naples, Fla., she is a graduate from Lakin, Kans., high school. She earned her Associate of Science degree at Garden City Community College and her Bachelor of Art in Education from Wichita State University.
This is her first year teaching and she is excited to be coming to Ulysses.
"Sullivan has a great team," Padilla said. "I can't wait to work with them. I love being around kids, and I'm excited to start this journey."
In her spare time, Padilla enjoys painting, reading and traveling.
Hope Pierson
Hope Pierson will be teaching ninth grade special education at Ulysses High School.
Originally from Moscow, Kans., she attended Kansas State for Vocational Home Ec Education, and Emporia State for Adaptive Specialized K-12.
She chose to come to Ulysses Schools for the "experience", and says what makes her excited to teach is "seeing the kids light up."
Pierson has been teaching special education for 20 years.
She and her husband, Terry, three kids: Zachary, 27, is a student in elementary education at BYU in Idaho; Alexander, 25, is a Science teacher at Udall, Kans.; and Rachel, 24, is a nursing student.
Her husband is a disabled veteran, EMT and firefighter.
In her spare time, Hope enjoys sewing, crafting and reading.
Natasha Sabata
Natasha Sabata will be teaching chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology at Ulysses High School. Originally from Syracuse, Kans., she earned her Bachelor of Science in education from Emporia State University with an emphasis in chemistry and biology. She earned her Master's Degree in biology from the University of Nebraska in Kearny, Neb.
"I have always wanted to be a teacher even as a kid," Sabata said. "Science is the best subject, because it is hands on and all around us. I like for kids to finally notice this."
Sabata has been teaching for 10 years. She taught her first year at Hugoton, Kans., for five years at Syracuse, Kans., and for two years at Plainview, Texas High School.
She and her husband, Preston, have a daughter, Evelyn who will be two in October.
"My husband's job brought us to Ulysses," Sabata said. "But, I am excited for the academic and athletic opportunities for my daughter in the future. I hear the staff is amazing and I've missed the community of school."
Her husband is originally from Sublette, Kans., and enjoyes working with cattle. The couple's daughter loves music, animals, bugs, and playing in the water.
In her spare time, Sabata enjoys being outdoors, especially with her daughter. She enjoys trying new arts and crafts, crocheting, watching the Chiefs and hunting bugs with her daughter.
Sabata is already in the right mindset as she sent this message, "Go Tigers!"
Aaron Sperber
Aaron Sperber will be teaching American History at Ulysses High School. Originally from Oakley, Kans., he went to school at Sterling College and has a degree in history education.
"I've always loved history and think it's important to understand history, so we don't repeat it," Sperber said. "I want to pass that on to the next generations."
Sperber has lived in the area for several years.
"(I) know a number of teachers in this district that speak highly of it, so when the opportunity arose to come here, I decided to take it and start a new adventure as a Tiger," he said.
This will be his 11th year as an educator, previously he taught at Stanton County for 10 years.
"During my time there, I taught seventh and eighth grade social studies, geography, world history, american history and government," Sperber said.
Sperber and his wife, Kylee, have been married for eight years. They have four kids, one daughter and three sons.
"Berklee is 7 (and) she is very creative and loves art," Sperber said. "Breckon is 5, and Braxton is 3. They love superhero’s, but Spider-Man is their favorite. Beckett will be one at the end of the month. He loves eating and trying to keep up with his siblings."
In his spare time, Sperber enjoys playing golf and watching football.
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