Public Service
Lacy Wolters
High School Teacher
I started my career journey as a wealth manager, which is someone who help people make good decisions about their money — which might sound like a far cry from a teacher, but many of the duties translate and still help me as an educator now. In college, I double majored in accounting and finance...
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Larissa Whitney
Elementary School Teacher
When I was really young, I loved lining my dolls up and reading to them out loud. I even tried to dress like what I thought a teacher would wear! My mom still has a picture of that scene in action, which means a lot to me today. It was a snapshot of what was to come!
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Lesa Schulte
Preschool Teacher
I always knew I wanted to work with kids when I grew up. I loved interacting with children and babysat for numerous families and church groups when I was younger. My passion for wanting to teach grew even stronger when my sixth-grade teacher told me my patience and willingness to help others are...
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Lindsey Holtry
Educational Technology Coach
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I was the oldest of four girls and loved working with kids at our school, church and local community center.
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Richard Berndt
Construction Technology Instructor
"There was a hailstorm one night when I was 11 years old, and after that, my parents decided we needed a carport. The company delivered the supplies, but they never showed up to build it. I’d always loved playing with my carpenter-grandfather’s tools, so I grabbed my dad’s and took it upon myself...
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Sergeant Lana Urteaga
Public Information Officer
"I’ve always wanted to be in public service. I’ve always been driven to understand the law and the judicial system, and I have always gravitated to jobs where I help others.
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Sheyvette Dinkens
Business Educator
I wasn’t initially interested in being a teacher and didn’t intend to enter the field of education. For many years, I worked on founding and running a nonprofit organization in Topeka, Kansas: Women Empowerment. The organization was built to inspire, lift and bring local women together.
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Skyler Fiske
Middle School Teacher
Growing up, I wanted to be a pop star or a teacher. Since my pop stardom never took off, I decided teaching would be a better path. In fact, my mom was a teacher, and I always loved helping her set up her classroom. Watching her grade papers and prep for school was fascinating. Between her...
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Thomas King
Senior Manager in Logistics
Thomas King began his career by serving in the United States Army. After leaving his full-time position in the military, he continues to serve as a member of the Army Reserve. On the civilian side, he started in an entry-level position at Spirit AeroSystems, then worked his way up to become a...
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Valerie Brown-Kuchera
Director of K-12 Library and Information Literacy Program
I’ve always wanted to be an educator. Growing up in a remote country home with parents who were not high school graduates, I relied on impressions of educated people portrayed in the books I read. My favorite stories showed professors and librarians as trusted mentors and wise, caring advisors who...
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