December
December
Embedded Files
Fireside Chat: Learning & Leading Together
Date: Wednesday, December 10th
Time: 4:15PM - 5:15PM
Location: District Office BOE Room
Target Audience:
Any subject, any grade
Description:
Before we head into winter break, take a moment to slow down, sip something warm, and connect. Join Brianna Deas, Executive Director of Academic Affairs, and Mandy Henry, Director of Special Education, for an informal conversation about teaching, learning, and how we can continue to support students and staff across our district. This is a relaxed space where you can share ideas, ask questions, and celebrate what’s going well.
Please RSVP so we can ensure your beverage of choice is available.
About the Facilitators:
Brianna Deas
Brianna Deas
Brianna Deas has been a proud USD 262 Hornet for all 15 years of her career. She began as an 8th-grade English Language Arts teacher and later served five years as an assistant principal at Valley Center High School. She then spent three years as the district’s Academic Support Coordinator before stepping into her current role as Executive Director of Academic Affairs, now in her second year. Brianna is passionate about people, especially students, and believes deeply in the power of education to change the trajectory of students’ lives and positively impact generations to come.
Mandy HEnry
Mandy HEnry
Mandy has worked with the Valley Center School District since 2013 as a school psychologist and Instructional Coach. She is currently our Special Education Director with the Ark Valley Special Education Cooperative. Prior to coming to Valley Center, Mrs. Henry served as a School Psychologist for the Blue Valley School District and as a School Psychologist and Special Education Coordinator for the Central Kansas Cooperative in Education in Salina, KS. Mrs. Henry pursued a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology at the University of Kansas, along with a building level leadership license at Ft. Hays.
Registration Information:
We ask that you register at least 2 days prior to the event. A calendar invite will be sent 1-2 business days after you register. If you do not receive an invite within that timeframe, please email Tia Massey.
Participation qualifies for PDC points in Frontline and/or mentor & mentee PD. To receive PDC points, sign up in Frontline. Frontline sign-up for this event will close on 12/17/2025 and will not be reopened after that date.
November
November
Collaboration All Around
Date: Wednesday, November 12th
Time: 3:10PM - 4:10PM AND 4:15PM - 5:15PM
Location: VCMS, Room C1
Target Audience:
Any subject, any grade
Description:
Discover practical and engaging ways to build intentional collaboration in your classroom! This session will explore strategies that go beyond traditional partner or group discussions, highlighting approaches such as task cards, gallery walks, and learning stations. Participants will learn how to structure collaborative experiences and vary groupings to enhance student engagement and ownership. Teachers will leave with 1–3 ready-to-use strategies to bring meaningful collaboration to life in their own classrooms.
About the Facilitators:
Casie Yowell
Casie Yowell
Casie Yowell is a 10-year veteran teacher with experience in the elementary and secondary worlds. She has taught self-contained classes, mixed-grade-level classes, and core content in the secondary world. Mrs. Yowell is married to her husband Jon and has 2 children who both attend VC schools. They moved here 4 years ago to the district to give our children better opportunities. Casie has two master's degrees: one in curriculum and instruction and the other in educational leadership, and her hope is to maybe someday go into leadership, but is enjoying her time in the classroom. She loves to read, spend time with her family, attend all of her children's things, go dirt track racing, and relax with her puppy!
Registration Information:
Closed
October
October
Decrease Behaviors & Increase Learning
Date: Wednesday, October 22nd
Time: 4:15PM - 5:15PM
Location: District Office BOE Room
Target Audience:
Any subject, any grade
Description:
Participants will learn why teaching student expectations is important. They will also be guided through a process to determine what those expectations should be and how to teach them effectively. As a result, they can expect to see fewer behavior issues and more student learning.
About the Facilitators:
Teresa Whitener
Teresa Whitener
Teresa Whitener is a Special Education Instructional Coach serving primarily Valley Center K-5, and Sedgwick K-12. Teresa began her teaching career in 2004 as a general education early elementary teacher with a strong passion for students with special education needs. That passion eventually led her to becoming a Special Education Teacher. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master's degree in High Incidence Special Education all from Southwestern College. While her passion for teaching students with special education needs is still strong, Teresa moved from an Instructional Support Teacher into her role as an Instructional Coach in 2021 for AVSEC's inaugural year. Teresa enjoys supporting and encouraging both Special Education and General Education teachers, and working together to find ways to best help our students be successful.
Teresa's family includes her husband who is a longtime educator, three grown sons, two daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, and her favorite children...two tiny Chihuahua girls.
Registration Information:
Closed
September
September
No More Scrolling
Date: Wednesday, September 24th
Time: 4:15PM - 5:15PM
Location: Wheatland Elementary, Room B202
Target Audience:
Elementary (PK-5), ELA, or New Teachers/Anyone Needing a Refresh
Description:
Tired of scrolling for the just-right reading passage for your students? Let's learn how to use prompts with ChatGPT so you can get what you need on topic and at a matching skill level. This will be a hands-on guide so you can walk away with materials and skills you can use.
About the Facilitators:
David Hendershot
David Hendershot
David Hendershot is a 2nd-grade teacher at Wheatland Elementary. He has a master's in technology integration and has been in the district for 15 years. He has presented on topics like this at Podstock, PropellUs, and EdCampKS.
Registration Information:
Closed
August
August
Principal Meet & Greet (In-Person)
When & Where:
Wednesday, August 20th
4:15PM - 5:15PM
Location TBD
Target Audience:
Any Grade Level, Any Subject Area impacted by the Bond restructuring of grade levels
Description:
In this presentation, participants will have the opportunity to connect with our four elementary principals (Megan Carney, Mark Hoy, Diosha North, and Lauren White) and the VCIS principal (Heath Elliott) ahead of the school placement survey to be sent out soon. Come learn more about each principal, about each building, and gather insight to help inform your school preference decision.
About the Facilitators:
Megan Carney
Principal at Abilene Elementary, Megan Carney received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA, in 2004, and a master's degree in school administration from Emporia State University in 2019.
Carney began her teaching career in 2006 as a third-grade teacher at Freeman Elementary School in Haysville; she taught third grade at Olin CSD Elementary School in Olin, IA, from 2011 to 2013; taught first grade at Gammon Elementary School in Wichita, KS, from 2013 to 2021; and is currently a behavior interventionist and assistant principal at Cessna Elementary School in Wichita, KS.
Mark Hoy
Principal at West Elementary, Mark Hoy earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Friends University in 1996; Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Friends University in 1996; and his Master’s degree in School Leadership from Friends University in 2001. He has worked in education since 1997 and in a school leadership position since 2007. He joined Valley Center School District in 1997. His professional license endorsements include Elementary K-9, Building Administrator K-9, and Building Leadership PreK-12.
Diosha North
Principal at Wheatlant Elementary, Diosha North earned a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from Fort Hays State University in 2016 and a Master of Education in educational leadership from Wichita State University in 2021. She is set to complete her superintendency and school district leadership certification in May, also from Wichita State.
Her career in education began in 2016 as an extended school year and pre-kindergarten teacher in Wichita Public Schools. She transitioned into administrative leadership in 2019 and has served as assistant principal at Isely Elementary School since 2021. In addition, she has been a member of the USD 259 Peer Consultant Governing Board since 2023 and recently completed an administrative internship with the USD 259 assistant superintendent of elementary schools.
Lauren White
White brings extensive experience in elementary and middle school education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Wichita State University in 2016 and a Master of Science in building leadership from Newman University in 2022.
Her career in education began in 2009 as a tutor and substitute teacher in Wichita Public Schools. She later taught third grade at Cloud Elementary School and sixth and eighth-grade social studies at Mayberry Middle School, where she also served as an AVID instructor, SEL curriculum team member, and volleyball coach. At Robinson Middle School, she took on multiple leadership roles, including instructional coach, after-school program director, and summer school coordinator. Most recently, she has been the assistant principal at Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary School.
Heath Elliott
Principal at VCIS, Heath Elliott received his bachelor of science degree in education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK, in 2001, and a master's degree in school leadership from Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, in 2008.
Elliott began his teaching career in 2001 as a math and physical education teacher. In 2012, he joined the El Dorado School District as an assistant principal and athletic director for El Dorado Middle and High Schools until 2017; he was assistant principal and athletics and activities director at Clearwater High School from 2017 to 2022; and he was most recently an assistant principal at Maize High School.
Registration Information:
Closed
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