Exeter-Milligan Welcomes Four New Teachers

L- R Derek Harlow, Haley Stutzman, Lisa Kanode, and Sara Lincoln.

Exeter-Milligan welcomes four new teachers to the pack this fall. Two elementary teachers, Sara Lincoln, the new fifth grade teacher and Derek Harlow, a Title I teacher will both be at the Milligan site.  At both sites Lisa Kanode will teach art and Haley Stutzman will teach 7 – 12 Spanish in Exeter .

Exeter-Milligan patrons may recognize Lincoln as she spent last fall as a student teacher in the second grade classroom of Marla Weber.  Lincoln taught in the Exeter preschool program and substituted during the spring semester and was an assistant basketball coach for the Lady Timberwolves during the 2013-14 season.

Lincoln grew up in a small town in Iowa and followed her family to Nebraska after they took a ranch job in Bartlett, Neb.  She completed her first year of college at Southwestern Community College before transferring to York College where she earned her degree in Elementary Education on a basketball scholarship.

“I student taught here and it felt like Exeter-Milligan became my family.  I am very excited about having my own classroom and seeing the growth of all of my students.  I feel very privileged to finally call Exeter-Milligan my home,” explained Lincoln.

Harlow has been in the area for quite some time as he graduated from York High in 2005 and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Adapted K-12 Physical Education from York College.  He student taught at Fillmore Central where he also assisted with football.  Currently Harlow is finishing a Master’s degree in K-12 Mild/Moderate disabilities.

“I am excited to be here and working with kids again.  I am really looking forward to being around the students.  The district recently received a grant to introduce technology into the P.E. program so I am will be incorporating that with the third through sixth graders.”

Harlow and his wife Dayle had their first child in December and live in Geneva.  He will be the Title teacher at Milligan along with teaching Physical Education and fulfilling duties as an assistant football coach for Exeter-Milligan.

Lisa Kanode will be teaching K-12 art at Exeter-Milligan along with assistant volleyball coach duties.  She and husband Darth recently moved to Exeter from Kearney with their five children.  She graduated from Wayne State College in 2000 and taught in Sidney, Neb.  before heading home to teach at Kearney Public Schools. 

The Kanode’s were living in Shelton prior to moving to Exeter, “We are excited to live in Exeter.  Everyone has been so friendly and helpful.  We love the small town,” said Kanode.

“Having the 1:1 technology is something I like as well.  The technology is great, it’s where the next generation is going and I look forward to giving them the opportunity to use it, especially if kids learn to explore it in the right way.  I hope to bring the presentation side of art to the students so they can be proud of their efforts.  I want them to know that art is meant to be displayed and appreciated.   I am looking forward to teaching all kinds of art.  I like to teach all kinds of pastels, watercolor and but there is no medium I don’t like.  I am hoping to bring art out into the public.”

Haley Stutzman is looking forward to sharing her love of the Spanish language and culture with the K-12 students at Exeter-Milligan.  Stutzman is from the Milford area and graduated from UNK in May of this year with a Bachelor’s Degree in 7 – 12 Spanish Education and K-12 English as a Second Language.

“I am excited about starting my teaching career and getting to know all of the students.  I am looking forward to bringing new technology and some apps to enhance learning for my students.  While I was at UNK I learned a lot of technology opportunities which will benefit students.”

While a student at UNK, Stutzman had the opportunity to study abroad in Lima, Peru for a semester which boosted not only her Spanish language skills but her knowledge of the culture and diversity of the country.