Buckner Staff

Lichelle Alford Principal lalford@usd259.net	Greetings! I would like to welcome our returning families as well as our new families to Buckner. I am a product of the Wichita Public School System. I attended Kensler Elementary, Peterson Elementary, Wilbur Junior High and Northwest High School. To further my education I attended Friends University, where I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching. Then I attended Wichita State University where I received a Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision. I have been a part of USD #259 for 15 years. My experiences include: Classroom Teacher, Learning Coach, Assistant Principal and Principal. I am married to Darron Alford Sr., who teaches at Spaght Multimedia Magnet School. I have 3 sons: Myles, Mycah and Darron Jr.
Tekisha Collins Secretary tcollins1@usd259.net
Gwen Duggins Clerk gduggins@usd259.net
Jennifer Shanks ECD 3/4 year-olds jshanks@usd259.net	I am so excited to teach Pre-Kindergarten/PKDD at Buckner! We have so much fun everyday. It is truly an adventure! My husband, Jay, and I are proud parents of a 2 yr old daughter, Morgan, and our son Wyatt is a PK student this year at Dunbar! I am also the proud stepparent of our daughter, Casey, a Goddard High School Freshman
Laurie Baumun Para-Educator lbaumun@usd259.net	I have been with the district since 1996. I am married and have three children, James, Jean, and Jesse. I also have 6 grandchildren!
Patty Morris Para-Educator pmorris1@usd259.net	I have been with the district since 2003. I am married and have two stepchildren, Scott and Amy. Scott is working towards a Masters in Human Resources at Pittsburg State and Amy is a nursing student at Wichita State University.
Michele Fisk Kindergarten kfisk@usd259.net	I have been teaching in the primary grades for over ten years. I love my work and love the environment at Buckner. I have taught first and second grade here and this year have moved to kindergarten. I taught kindergarten for years when I first began teaching. I have a daughter named Meghan who just graduated and is beginning college. I also have two dogs named Pearl and Dakota.
Lisa Gray Kindergarten lgray2@usd259.net	I have been teaching at Buckner since the fall of 1989. I now teach kindergarten. My own two sons have attended Buckner beginning in kindergarten even though we live in another school district,
H. O. Lytle Kindergarten hlytle@usd259.net	I have been a teacher at Buckner since 1989. I have taught 3rd, 2nd, & 1st grades. For the past 11 years I have been teaching kindergarten and wouldn't want to change grade levels for anything. The caring staff, wonderful parents and great students make Buckner the best school to teach in. I have a son who is married to Whitney and he is a medical resident in Chicago; another son at KU; and a 3rd son is at Ithaca College in NY. My wife works as a case manager for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. I like to spend my spare time reading, playing golf, watching sports on TV (too old to play anymore!), and updating the school's web sites.
Melissa Boone 1st Grade mneeley@usd259.net	This is my first year teaching at Buckner, and I am so excited to be a part of this special school! I taught 2^nd grade last year at Pleasant Valley Elementary, and this is my first year teaching 1^st grade. Having attended OK Elementary, Hadley Middle, and North High Schools, I am proud to be working in the Wichita Public School system. I graduated from Friends University two years ago and just got married over the summer. I love teaching and have wanted to be a teacher since preschool! Every day is an adventure, and I know this will be a great school year.
Catherine Clark 1st Grade cclark@usd259.net	Buckner feels like family to me. I have enjoyed teaching here since 1991. I have always taught in the primary grades. I love teaching both 1^st and 2^nd. I am able to enjoy the same students for 2 years. It is so exciting to see the growth both academically and socially. The only down side is when I have to let them go to 3^rd grade. I can’t imagine myself anywhere else! The staff, students and parents are wonderful.
Erika Roberts 1st Grade eroberts@usd259.net	I have been teaching at Buckner for four years. My first three years were spent teaching third grade. This year however, I am currently working with the fourth grade team. It's a real joy to teach at a performing arts school. The students are all so talented and really work hard to put on a good show ! This year I'm experiencing Buckner in a new way (as a parent). My son Adrian is attending kindergarten here with Mrs. Barnes.
Katina Asmani 2nd Grade kasmani@usd259.net
Micheala Kambui 2nd Grade mkambui@usd259.net	I have taught at Buckner since 2003. I'm proud to be a part of the Buckner staff. I enjoy looping with my students, teaching them in 1^stgrade and then again in 2^nd. My class feels like my second family by the end of 2^ndgrade! In my spare time I love to read and watch my son Mateo play football and basketball.
Kim Taylor 2nd Grade ktaylor2@usd259.net	I've taught first and second grade at Buckner for eleven years. I love both grade levels and I especially love that I "loop" with students (keep the same students for two years). It's incredible the amount of academic and personal growth I see in two years time. I also love this age of students because they're beginning readers and it's exciting to see the reading process develop and flourish.
Alex Hogan 3rd Grade ahogan@usd259.net	This is my first year officially teaching at Buckner, although I have been around for 2 years in several capacities: Co-op student, then student teacher with Ms. Venable, then as a long-term sub for Mrs. Piros while on maternity leave. I'm so excited to be here for another year! I love to dance, watch KU basketball games (Jayhawk alumn), and spend time with my new husband; we got married in Florida in June! I have one Maine Coon cat that acts more like a dog, two large fish tanks, and two finches. Sophie, the cat, tries so hard to get all of them! Buckner is a great school and I can't wait to see the spectacular productions this year!
Kelli Miller 3rd Grade kmiller1@usd259.net	This is my 12^th year teaching in Wichita. I have taught grades K-3. I am currently in the last years of my master’s program at WSU. I recently finished my middle school math endorsement. I am married with 2 children, ages 6 and 7. We live on a “farm” in Augusta. We currently have 5 horses, 2 llamas,2 goats, 1 sheep, 3 dogs and 4 rabbits.
Gale Worrell 3rd Grade gworrell@usd259.net	This is my 11th year in the Buckner community and my 34th year of teaching. Most of those years were spent with third graders. I have also taught 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and blends of 2/3 and 3/4 . It is my pleasure to teach 3rd graders again this year. They are a special, fun group. They come to school well on their way to making sense of the world around them as they see it. I am eager to help each child work to find information that makes him or her think about how that new information fits into what is already known. I hope to help each child become a Buckner star who sparkles with enthusiasm for learning and reflects an image of personal progress and success. I am married; my husband sells cement. We live in Wichita and have two grown daughters. I have a grandson and a granddaughter and a bouncing German shorthair pointer.
Roxanne Moncure 4th Grade rmoncure@usd259.net	This is my first year here at Buckner and I am so excited to be working with such a dynamic group of students and staff. I have lived in St. Louis, MO most of my life and just recently moved to Wichita. I have taught sixth grade and fourth grade over the past six years. I know this year will be an adventure as I learn a new staff, new students, a new curriculum, and a new city.
Carla Jacobs 4th Grade cjacobs@usd259.net
Scott Torline 4th Grade storline1@usd259.net
Lucas Rodriguez 5th Grade lrodriguez@usd259.net	My name is Lucas Rodriguez IV or Mr. R. This is my 13^th year here at Buckner Elementary. Most of the time, I have either taught 3^rd, 4^th or 5^th grade. I am currently the Site Technology Coordinator here at Buckner also. I have lived in and gone to school in Wichita all of my life. I have gone to OK Elementary, Hadley Jr. High, and Wichita North. I received my teaching degree from Kansas Newman University. I have completed my Masters degree from Wichita State University. I am married and I have 3 kids (2 boys and 1 girl). I love sports especially Baseball and Soccer.
Carla Venable 5th Grade cvenable@usd259.net	I have been with the Buckner family since 1996. I was hired with USD 259 in 1993. Coming to Buckner was always my dream. I love the arts and feel it is such a vital part of our education. Outside of teaching, I stay very busy with our Latchkey program and my lawn mowing business of 11 years! During the summer I enjoy my pool and playing poolside games! My most challenging children are Webster, Chester, and Bootsie my cats.
Brenda Taylor Inter-related btaylor2@usd259.net	This is my second year as the Interrelated Teacher here at Buckner. I’m very excited to be here! Before moving to Kansas, I taught Special Education in the West Memphis School District for three years and in the Blytheville School District for two years. I received my formal training at Cameron University in Lawton, OK Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology/Sociology) and at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR (Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Special Education). I have been teaching Special Education for the past 7 years. Teaching individuals with disabilities is a very rewarding profession. I love what I do and I am looking forward to many years to come here at Buckner!
Jennifer Robinson Para-Educator jrobinson1@usd259.net	This is my fourth year working as a para for Buckner. But, I have volunteered and been a part of the Buckner Family since 1997 when my oldest son Will began kindergarten here. I have three sons (who have now graduated from Buckner), a husband Fritz, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 fish & 3 gerbils! I am a graduate of Friends University with a degree in Art Education.
Shirley Langford Para-Educator slangford@usd259.net	I have been with the Buckner staff for 12 years and love my work and my students. Teaching in Special Education over the past several years has been very rewarding and has led me to open a Saturday Afternoon Reading Tutoring School. I have been tutoring for the past 6 1/2 years. I graduated from the University of Central America, Kansas City, Missouri with a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education in 1993.
Kristin Garrett LRE Classroom Aid
Dione Scott LRE Classroom Aid
Deborah Wallis LRE Classroom Aid/Lunch Aid dwells2@usd259.net
Andrea Piros Gifted Resource apiros@usd259.net	This is my 16th year teaching with USD 259 and Buckner! I began my career at Buckner teaching 3rd and 4th grades. Realizing an imminent need for an "in-house" gifted program, I worked with a team of teachers to write a proposal and Buckner was awarded a program. We have been going strong for 10 years! I have a Master's Degree in Special Education, with a specialized certification in Gifted Education from WSU. Gifted Education, as well as advocating for gifted children is truly my passion. Additionally, I have been married for 16 years to my husband Don. We have two beautiful children; Hannah is 7 years old and attends 2nd grade at Buckner and our son Sawyer is 18 months old.
Sarah Bishop-Jones Dance sbishop@usd259.net	This is my second year of working for USD 259 and Buckner. I have taught at WSU, Children's Theater, Movement Authority here in Wichita, and other places in Texas and in Chicago. I graduated from Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts in Boston Mass.. I am a performer, choreographer and teacher of all grade levels. I have also been to France as a U.S. delegate and to Italy to dance. Greece, Macedonia, and Bulgaria are countries I have also visited for cultural studies. I love music, theater, and traveling.
Mat Buckingham Art mbuckingham@usd259.net	I have been an elementary art teacher in USD 259 since 1989. During that time, I have been fortunate to work with many students in a number of different schools throughout the Wichita area. The Buckner Performing Arts School has been my “home” since 1993.
Kathy Brown Art
Denise Jackson-Simon Drama djackson@usd259.net	I have been teaching Drama at Buckner since it became a performing arts magnet in 1993. I have taught in the regular classroom in Grades 4, 5 and Kindergarten at McCormick and Colvin Schools. My first year was teaching an interrelated class at Kensler. I also worked one year as an artist in residence at three middle schools. I love teaching Drama at Buckner the most!!!
Mary Price Music mprice@usd259.net	I have been teaching at Buckner for two years. I have taught in USD259 for 5 years and previously taught in Arizona for 13 years. I received my M.A. degree from the University of Iowa. I have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, 4 dogs and 1 cat. I love my family, animals and teaching music. Buckner is a rewarding place to teach. The students here are wonderful as is the entire staff. I love using the Orff process and the Kodaly method when teaching Buckner students. My goal is to create music individuals through singing, moving, playing, listening to, and reading music. I love teaching at Buckner!
Lauren Hirsch Music
Chad Mickey Strings
Sondra Oler PE soler@usd259.net	I have taught physical education in the district 18 years. Prior to coming to Buckner I was at Lawrence Elementary for 13 years. I have organized, choreographed, and directed many all-school programs; therefore I am thrilled to be at Buckner. The students and staff are awesome! As well as teaching the students many sports skills, I feel it is very important to instill a love of being active. I try to be a role model to show how important exercise is throughout your lifetime. I am married and have three sons. Trey, my youngest is in 1st grade here a Buckner. My middle child, Brock, is a sixth grader at Goddard. My oldest, Craig, is a student at WSU working toward a degree in Graphic Arts.
Karl Ely PE
Susie Lee Counselor rlee@usd259.net
Ursula Wilson Psychologist uwilson@usd259.net	I am the school psychologist here at Buckner, and I am here for 3 days a week. This is my 4th year at Buckner, and I have really enjoyed seeing the amazing things the students can do through the performing arts. I am also assigned to Earhart Environmental Magnet, and I help at other schools around the district. This is my 9th year working for USD 259, and I have really enjoyed working with elementary aged students. My husband also works for the school district, and we have two wonderful children. Our daughter attends Buckner for kindergarten this year, and our son is now 4 months. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, gardening, watching movies or any activity that I can do with my family.
Debbie Wilson Social Worker dwilson3@usd259.net	I began working as a school social worker at Buckner Elementary in the fall of 2005. I received my master's degree in social work from Wichita State University in 2002 and have enjoyed working primarily with children and families since then. I have 3 children: daughters, Danielle, age 21 and a senior in college, Kaylee, age 18 and beginning college in December, 2007, and a son, Ian, age 12, a 7th grader who is playing football this year for Maize Middle School. I enjoy reading, music concerts, traveling and spending time with my family and friends. I look forward to another year working with the Buckner team to provide a great learning environment for all of our students!
Addie York Speech ayork@usd259.net	I am very excited to be beginning my first year here at Buckner. I will also be the Speech-Language Pathologist for Brooks Middle School. I have lived in Wichita for three years with my husband Brian, who also works for the district and our pug named Brutus. We also have a recent addition to the family, our 7 week old son Kyson who has been such a joy. I look forward to having a great year!
Hazel Walls Nurse hwalls@usd259.net	I have been in the district since 1993. I have been at several schools all around the city. Before that I worked the hospital and was a critical care nurse specialist and worked Emergency and had a stretch with diabetic patients. As you can see nursing has been my gig for a few years. The students, teachers and parents usually call me Nurse Hazel. I DO LOVE THE Kido’s, they are great. I have been married all my life (child bride for sure!!) My husband is a saint. I have a Daughter and a granddaughter. If I had known how wonderful granddaughters were I would have just skipped the daughter part for sure… I am very glad to be here a Buckner.
Lori Warren Librarian lwarren@usd259.net
LaDonna Ingram Food Service lingram@usd259.net
Gloria Gadson Food Service/Latchkey ggadson@usd259.net
Larry Collins Custodian (Day) mailto:lcollins1@usd259.net	I started working for USD 259 in April of 2003 as a custodial aid. Then in September of that year I went full time. I have worked at Buckner during this time. Previously I worked for Koch Fiberglass/Smith Fiberglass Systems for over 29 years. I have been married for over 29 years and have 4 children and 7 grandchildren.
Marshall Turner Custodian (Night) mturner1@usd259.net
Bob Jimenez Custodian (Part-time)
Carla Venable Latchkey Director cvenable@usd259.net	I am been with the Buckner family since 1996. I was hired with USD 259 in 1993. Coming to Buckner was always my dream. I love the arts and feel it is such a vital part of our education. Outside of teaching, I stay very busy with our Latchkey program and my lawn mowing business of 11 years! During the summer I enjoy my pool and playing poolside games! My most challenging children are Webster, Bootsie and Chester, my cats.
Denise Jackson-Simon Latchkey Assistant djackson@usd259.net
Elizabeth Walker Latchkey ewalker@usd259.net	I have been working for USD 259 since September of 1986. My 21 years have all been at Buckner Elementary School. I have always enjoyed taking care of children. I have been married for 47years and have 4 children. I attended L'Ouverture, Mathewson, and East High here in Wichita.