Throughout the summer I will be posting bios of our new staff members.  Please join me in welcoming Mr. Tarr, new fifth grade teacher. He was able to stop by Move Up Day to meet the bobcats!  Here is a message from him:

Hello!  My name is Brad Tarr and I am excited to be teaching at Bethke Elementary.  I grew up in the Midwest, living in Iowa and Nebraska, and moved to Colorado in 2003 after I obtained my Economics degree from the University of Iowa (Go Hawks!). 
 
During my first few years in Colorado I spent my time working in recreation, attending Metro State University to earn my teaching license, and skiing!  I have also spent many summers in Maine working at a summer camp as a camp counselor and director.
 
Last fall my wife Jenny and I decided that we had had enough of the big city and we started to put the pieces together to move our family to Fort Collins.  My daughter will be entering 1st grade at McGraw Elementary and my son will be in Preschool at Arts and Imagination.  Along with spending time with my family at parks, playgrounds, swimming and playing, I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, trail running, and anytime spent outside.  I am an avid college football fan and reader (when I have the time).  I am looking forward to meeting all the Bethke families and settling down in my new home town.

Many thanks to the community organizations that came to support Bethke's wellness day!  Sunrise Family Dental, Healthy Kids Club, Thrive Martial Arts, Ripple Effect Martial Arts, Contemporary Dance Academy, Z’s Boxing, Vipers and Havoc Lacrosse, Storm Soccer, Wright Life, PHS Dance team, PSD Child Nutrition, FRHS athletic teams – Football, Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field, Baseball, Cheer, and Volleyball.

Welcome to Mrs. Newman, new technology teacher at Bethke!  After spending several years in the classroom, she is excited to combine her knowledge of classroom instruction and passion for technology!  She loves students and is excited to meet her bobcats!  Here is a special message from Mrs. Newman:
My name is Katie Newman and I am beyond excited to become a Bethke Bobcat!  I've already received a fabulous warm welcome from the staff and look forward to meeting students and their families in the fall.  My passion is teaching, I believe every child deserves the best education in a nurturing and compassionate environment.

I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado and this will be my sixth year of teaching.  The last 3 years I taught kindergarten in Windsor.  Prior to that I taught second grade and was a literacy interventionist in Loveland.  I can't wait to embark on a new path in my career as Bethke's technology teacher!

Colorado has been my home for the past 22 years.  I met my wonderful husband Zach 19 years ago.  Together we have two incredible children, Cooper (will be going into fifth grade) and Sydney (will be a Freshman in HIGH SCHOOL)!  I love gardening and home improvement projects. When not working around the house, I can be found walking my dogs Jesco and Gracie, camping, swimming, cooking, reading and most recently building or revamping furniture.

Enjoy your summer and I’ll see you in August!

With great excitement, we welcome back to Bethke Mrs. Kathy Samples.  She spent much of last year with us subbing and she is looking forward to getting back to her favorite grade ever-fourth grade! She's already got her room set up!  Read a special message from Mrs. Samples below:
How fortunate am I to be a part of the Bethke staff and community! Shortly after arriving in Fort Collins late last summer, I was thrilled to be selected as Mrs. Berg’s long term sub at 2nd grade, where I had the opportunity to get know so many warm, inviting, fun and genuinely caring people. Some of the wonderful qualities that stand out, and that I truly admire about Bethke and the community are: the friendly and hardworking children and parents; the teachers’ regard for each and every students’ social, emotional and academic well-being and successes; the level of respect and collaboration established among staff to students, students to students, and staff to staff; and the overall feel of the environment being child-centered and safe for all learners. I look forward to having the chance to not only add to these important qualities in learning, but to also have an impact among all those I work with to ensure every child’s love for learning.  I am so excited to begin teaching 4th grade! 

As mentioned above, my husband, Kirk, and I moved our family here last summer from the Chicago suburbs. After vacationing in Colorado for the last 12 years or so, we decided it was time to move and be in the place we love. We have 4 loving children, 1 girl and 3 boys; all of which enjoy the outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer. My oldest daughter will be a senior at CU Boulder, our second oldest son is a sophomore at CSU, and our twin boys will be starting their freshman year at Fossil Ridge High School.  Before moving to Fort Collins, I taught in Wheaton, IL for about 17 years or more at 4th, 3rd and Kindergarten, and now I am lucky to continue my career here, in a beautiful place, at a great school – Bethke!

Welcome to Margaret Vicker, new teacher in our integrated services department transferring over from Zach Elementary after spending time teaching in Hawaii.  We are excited to bring her expertise in special education servicing along with her passion for children and learning.

Here is a message from Margaret:
My name is Margaret Vicker and I am thrilled to introduce myself as a new member of the Integrated Services team. I am honored to be a member of the amazing Bethke Community! I have heard wonderful things about the students, teachers, and families here at Bethke!
I was raised in an Air Force family and I experienced different cultures and environments in my 11 moves within my lifetime. I attended 8 schools in my K-12 education. From this, I learned the importance of having compassionate and supportive teachers. I was lucky to end up in Colorado Springs. I graduated from Colorado State University and I fell in love with Fort Collins for the fun, exciting atmosphere and the easy access to the outdoors along the front range and in the back country. I am reenergized by nature. I love to hike, trail run, snowboard, play soccer, and work on art in my free time.
My previous teaching experiences include teaching in a small town on Hawaii’s Big Island as well as teaching at Zach Elementary here in Poudre School District. I am driven to empower my students to be curious, confident, and lifelong learners. I want each of my students to find his or her own joys with learning and to embrace challenge as a chance to grow.
I am looking forward to collaborating with you to inspire and teach your student. Together we will make it a great school year!  For now, I hope you have a wonderful summer!

Welcome to Ashley Carlucci, newest first grade teacher at Bethke! Ashley has recently moved to Fort Collins with her family after teaching in the Denver area.  We are excited to have her join our team!

A message from Ashley:
I am thrilled to join the Bethke staff and first grade team!  My husband and I are both CSU grads and hoped that someday life would bring us back to Fort Collins...and it did!  We will move this summer from Broomfield to our new adventure!
 
My husband is the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Fossil Ridge High School.  Our oldest daughter, Isla, is 6 1/2 and just finished kindergarten.   Our youngest daughter, Tatum, is 4 1/2 and has one more year of preschool left.   We love to spend our summers at the pool, we love hanging out with our friends and family,  we love to go to church, and we really love to eat lots of chips and salsa!  
 
I just finished my 12th year of teaching.   The last 3 years I taught kindergarten in Adams 12.   Prior to that, I taught 2nd grade in Boulder Valley and Douglas County.  I love primary age students and I can't wait to meet all of my first graders and be a part of this community!!!

Welcome Back to Stephanie Fennimore!  We are so excited to have her join our third grade team.  Ms. Fennimore served Bethke most of last year completing two long term maternity sub jobs for Mrs. Bruhn and Mrs. Vigil.  Stephanie loves Bethke and is thrilled to have her own classroom of bobcats next year.

Here is a special message from Ms. Fennimore:
​
Bethke Families,
 
I am honored and beyond excited to join the Bethke community as a third grade teacher. As some of you know, I grew up in Oregon and began my teaching career there before relocating to Colorado last August. I am definitely enjoying the outdoor sports here in Colorado. It seems my weekends are spent either skiing or backpacking.
 
I had a wonderful experience at Bethke this past school year as a long term substitute for Mrs. Bruhn in 5th grade and then for Mrs. Vigil in 3rd grade. The supportive staff at Bethke welcomed me with open arms and it now feels like my home away from home. The kids at Bethke are truly amazing and fun individuals. I cannot imagine a more motivated, hardworking, and positive community to belong to.
 
I look forward to meeting you all in the fall!
 
Sincerely,

Stephanie Fennimore

Friday, March 10 is Heavenly Hats Day!  Here are our bobcats that support Heavenly Hats and individuals with cancer.  We paid a dollar to wear a hat today or some of us just made donations to this organization. Fun day at Bethke!