Pancho Bustos, Truesdell Middle School Assistant Principal, was selected as one of the KAMSA Exemplary Middle School Assistant Principals for the 2013-2014 school year. Truesdell Middle School serves 984 students and is the largest of the 18 middle schools in the Wichita USD 259. Pancho has worked with Truesdell s students, families, and staff since 2010. Pancho started his career as a Spanish teacher after graduating from Newman University. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he helped to develop and implement an online Spanish instructional program. The program provided instruction for students in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Upon completion of his Masters Degree in School Administration in 2005, also from Newman University, Pancho began his career as an Assistant Principal at Horace Mann Dual Language K-8 School. Since that time he has used his energetic personality to organize, motivate, and lead those around him. At Truesdell Middle School, Pancho guides the eighth grade team in helping students excell in both academics and behavior. He leads by example and has an eye for seeing and providing help where it is needed most. He works to help those around him reach their potential and is always optimistic in his approach to improving public education. Recently, his innovative thinking lead to the implementation of an after-school tutoring and intramural sports program for the students at Truesdell Middle School. In addition to his problem solving and leadership abilities, Pancho uses his dual language skill set to advocate and serve Spanish speaking students and families. Truesdell Middle School Principal Terrell Davis commented on Pancho as follows: This past year Mr. Bustos served as the Assistant Principal of the eighth graders. His leadership and connections with students motivated them to increase their achievement on the Kansas Reading Assessment by 8% and an increase of 6% in Math. His connections with students also led to a decrease of 35% in discipline referrals to the office for his class in just one year. He is a shining star in our school and a great example for students.
Elaine Carpenter, an assistant principal at Pioneer Trail Middle School, was selected as a KAMSA Exemplary Middle School Assistant Principals for 2013-2014. Elaine obtained her Bachelor of Music Education in 1990 from Wichita State University and had the opportunity to travel around the country for a while after graduation. She began her educational career teaching choral music at Northern Middle School in Calvert County, Maryland. A move back to the Midwest placed her A choral music teacher at Oregon Trail Middle School and Pioneer Trail Middle School, both in Olathe. In 2003, Elaine earned her Masters of Science in Special Education/Gifted Education from Emporia State University. She began teaching gifted students, grades 10 12, at Olathe South High School. During her time at Olathe South, Elaine took on the role of Department Chair for Special Education, Building Level Team (BLT) Co- Chair, developed the Falcon Mentor Program for incoming freshman, and was the AVID Coordinator for the building. These various leadership roles encouraged her to make another important decision within her educational career. In 2007 Elaine completed the additional hours to receive her state certification in Educational Leadership and then returned to Pioneer Trail Middle School as an Assistant Principal in 2008. As Assistant Principal at Pioneer Trail Middle School, Elaine serves as the AVID Administrator, Special Education Administrator, as the Building Testing Coordinator, and as Activities Director. Her duties also entail overseeing the WEB Transition/Mentoring program and organizing all transition activities in and out of the middle school environment. In addition to these specific school activities, she serves as the administrator that works with and plans professional development for all middle school counselors in the district. She also holds the Special Education seat on the NAMSP National Board. Elaine truly loves working within the field of education, but particularly in her role as Assistant Principal. Being a principal allows her to make decisions and create wonderful teachable moments for all students in the building, as well as to those students solely in her classroom. She will never tire of young smiling faces and knowing what endless possibilities of dreams they can reach! Elaine contributes much of her success to her husband, Scott, as he has always been encouraging and supportive. She has three wonderful children, Preston (22), Kelsye (21), Brendan (17), and has most recently added a daughter- in- law (Kaci) and granddaughter Emeline (4 mos). Pioneer Trail Principal Mike Wolgast comments: The most difficult task for any administrator is making decisions to best meet the need of all students and staff. Elaine is placed in positions of responsibility and leadership and asked to lead various programs, curricular areas, and special events. She is able to process through the various aspects of each item and say yes when necessary, and more importantly no when needed. Elaine is respected by the entire Pioneer Trail community as a true leader. She truly makes decisions based on what is best for kids.
Amy Garver, Basehor-Linwood Middle School Assistant Principal, was selected as one of the KAMSA Exemplary Middle School Assistant Principals for 2013-14. Basehor-Linwood Middle School is located in Northeast Kansas and serves approximately 500 students in grades six through eight. Amy began her teaching career as a pre-kindergarten teacher at Meade Elementary School in 1996 after earning her undergraduate degree from Fort Hays State University. She taught third grade from 1997 to 2002 at Meade Elementary. In 2002 Amy and her family moved to Basehor, KS, where she began teaching third grade at Basehor Elementary School. In 2004 Amy earned her Masters in Education from Mid America Nazarene University, and in 2007 she earned her second masters in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University. After five years of teaching third grade, she transferred to the sixth grade center where she taught reading, math, and communication arts to sixth graders. In 2010, she accepted the position as Assistant Principal at BLMS. As Assistant Principal at BLMS, Amy serves as the building MTSS coordinator, collaborates and works closely with the SPED department, oversees student attendance, manages school website and communicates with stakeholders weekly through school newsletter. She also collaborates weekly with Professional Learning Communities. She is an active member of the District Wellness Committee, as well as the middle school advisory and collaboration committees. In addition to these duties, she plays a significant role in providing teachers with feedback and developing the crisis management plan. Amy feels honored and privileged to work for such an outstanding school district and community! This KAMSA Exemplary Award belongs to the BLMS TEAM ~ the hard-working students, dedicated and exemplary teachers and staff, caring and involved parents, as well as a supportive BOE, district office, and community. Amy and her husband Ty live in Basehor and have three children. Their two sons Bryce and Tanner attend Kansas State University. Their daughter Amber is a senior at Basehor- Linwood High School. Basehor-Linwood Middle School Principal Mike Wiley had this to say about Amy Garver: Mrs. Garver is an outstanding advocate for our students. She works tirelessly with parents, staff, and students to make our learning environment a great one. Mrs. Garver is truly an outstanding administrator.
Samantha Glover, an assistant principal at Haysville Middle School, was selected as a KAMSA Exemplary Middle School Assistant Principals for 2013-2014. Samantha graduated from Derby High School in 1994, Hutchinson Community College in 1996, Wichita State University in 1999, and in 2013 from Baker University. She has been at Haysville Middle School for fifteen years as an 8 th Grade Elective Teacher (2 years), 6 th Grade Science Teacher (8 years) and Assistant Principal since the 2009-2010 School Year. During her time at Haysville Middle School she has also coached cross country, track, and cheerleading. Samantha and her husband Robert have three children Kylie (9 years), Lucie (5 years) and Cameron (1 year). During her free time she enjoys spending time with her family at sporting events, church activities, and other activities with her children s school. Haysville Middle School Principal Mike Maurer comments: Samantha is relentless in her pursuit of academic excellence for the children served at Haysville Middle School. Academic learning time in all classrooms is just one of the areas that she intentionally focuses on with all staff so as to provide our children with the absolute best education possible. Samantha models this exemplary behavior daily.
J.J. Libal, an assistant principal at Pioneer Trail Middle School, was selected as a KAMSA Exemplary Middle School Principal for the 2013-14 school year. J.J. received a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Social Science from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, in 1993. His student teaching was completed through the Kansas State University Cooperative Urban Teacher Education program at Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He began his teaching and coaching career at Wetmore High School in Northeast Kansas in the fall of 1994. He transferred to Frankfort High School where he taught and coached from 1995 to 1998. In the fall of 1998, he returned to Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas. J.J. spent eight years there as a teacher and basketball coach and served as a volunteer athletic director for two years. In the fall of 2006, J.J. began teaching in the Olathe School District at Indian Trail Junior High while completing his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Emporia State University. While at Indian Trail, he helped develop the school s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program. J.J. also served as an administrative intern for two years at Indian Trail and became an assistant principal at Pioneer Trail Middle School in 2010. At Pioneer Trail, J.J. serves as facilities and athletics administrator. He also leads the Building Level Team and helps plan and develop professional development activities. His duties also include oversight of the MTSS/SIT process at Pioneer Trail. Recently he accepted a board position on the Olathe Community Police Advisory Committee (CPAC). He also holds a board position on the National Association of Middle School Principals. J.J. enjoys the challenges and opportunities as an assistant principal at the middle school level. His passion is the improvement of teaching and learning for all students. He sees his primary role as a servant leader for all stakeholders in the Pioneer Trail Community. He is thankful to work with a tremendous staff and administrative team. J.J. is from a family of teachers and coaches. He attributes his work ethic to his childhood on the family farm in Nebraska (Go Huskers). J.J. has a blended family of sons (Jace, age 15 and Kade, age 11) as well as step- sons (Jesse, age 16 and Gant, age 19). He appreciates the support of his fiancé, Angie. Pioneer Trail Principal Mike Wolgast commented: Because of J. J. I have no concerns about what is taking place at our building when I am gone. I know he will make any decision based on what is best for our students, and he will take time to process the information provided. Also, I hope my own children have the opportunity to go to a school where he is an administrator. He truly has the best interest of children in his heart.