Meet Our Prairie Staff
2022-2023 School Year
2022-2023 Staff
Kindergarten Team: Frame, Jenkins, Lash
1st Gr Team: Exline, VanderPas, Weir (formerly Tarantino)
2nd Gr Team: Bartel, Meyer-Brunk, Will
3rd Gr Team: De Coursey, Ellis, Howard
4th Gr Team: Allen, Bailey, Tackett
5th Gr Team: Campbell, Parn, Porter
6th Gr Team: Barrickman, Krause, Rogers (formerly Miller)
Instructional Coach: Bivona
Specials Team:
Art: Papineau
Library: Strout
Music: Reynolds
PE: Lake
Special Education Team: Teachers: Tadokoro and LaGarde; Paras: Duncan, Fugitt, Justice, Minkoff
Speech: Walker
Social Worker: Mingori
Reading Specialists: Full time: Drennon and Community Funded Half-Time: Burns
Community Funded Full Time Innovation Specialist (Math): Todd
Nurse: Lindquist
Custodians: Schneider and Hazlett
Cafeteria: Okerberg and Vanderwark
Secretary: Keogh; no longer have a clerical aide position
Educational Aides: Goodson and Metz
Welcome New Staff & Those Returning to New Roles!!!
3rd Gr Teacher: Ms. Kendall De Coursey
Hello! My name is Kendall De Coursey! I graduated from Shawnee Mission East in 2018, and will soon be graduating from the University of Kansas in May with a degree in Elementary Education. I have wanted to become a teacher for as long as I can remember, and I can't wait to finally have the opportunity to start teaching in my own classroom!
In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends, being outdoors in warm weather, walking my mini Australian Shepherd (Molly), and traveling! With my entire K-12 education spent in Shawnee Mission, I am so excited for the opportunity to teach in such a wonderful environment. I look forward to meeting everyone soon!
4th Gr Teacher: Ms. Kate Allen
Hello! I recently graduated from KU with my Bachelor of Science in Education. I cannot wait to pursue my passion of working with kids at Prairie Elementary!
When I am not planning for the new year, you can find me trying new restaurants, going on walks with friends, and hanging out at the lake with my family.
I am eager to get involved with the community that Prairie has created and I look forward to making special connections with the students, families and faculty.
Rock Chalk & Go Panthers!
Music Teacher: Mrs. Lynn Reynolds
My name is Mrs. Lynn Reynolds. I will be your music teacher for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. I have been teaching elementary music for Wichita Public Schools for the last 16 years. I attended the University of Central Missouri for my undergrad and currently attending for my Masters in Music Education. I am certified in a method of teaching music called Kodaly methodology. This method focuses on music literacy through folk music and musical games. I am also very verse in Orff and World Drumming. I love to dabble in Orff and Eurythmics.
I am married to Jason Reynolds a native to the Kansas City Area and we have two children- Carson (15) and Anna (12). We have two pets- a dog named Kenobi and a cat named Stormy.
I grew up in Lake Ozark Missouri and went k-12 at School of the Osage where I developed my love for music and wanting to teach.
I look forward to meeting all of you in August and learning with you this next school year.
Full Time Reading Specialist: Mrs. Stephanie Drennon
I am so excited to be the Reading Specialist at Prairie this year! Throughout my teaching career, I have taught a variety of different grades, preschool through 5th. My most recent position was at Broken Arrow working as an Innovation Specialist supporting grades K-2nd.
Reading is my passion, so I am elated to focus on just reading this year. I am also thrilled to be moving to Prairie because all three of my boys attended there. My youngest will be in 5th grade, I am not sure where the years have gone!
When I am not working, I enjoy reading books and spending time watching my boys play sports. My family loves road trips and traveling. I am looking forward to joining the amazing Prairie team!
Community Funded Half-Time Reading Specialist: Mrs. Lauren Burns
I am thrilled to be joining the Prairie family! I grew up just a few blocks away from Prairie and my husband is a proud former Panther!
Since I was a little girl, I have known I wanted to be a teacher. Teaching young minds and instilling a life-long love of learning is my passion. I strive to develop students' confidence and help them discover the joy of reading!
I attended K-State University where I was nominated as the K-State "Teacher of Promise" and was the commencement speaker for the College of Education. After teaching first and second grades, I knew I wanted to get my master's to become a certified Reading Specialist. While working on my degree, I attended two Orton-Gillingham trainings and am currently in the process of becoming an Associate Member of the O-G Academy. For the past three years, I have worked as a Reading Specialist in Blue Valley and have mentored teachers implementing structured literacy in their classrooms.
In my free time I love to go on walks with my husband, shop and try new local restaurants. I love the beach and usually have a book in may hand!
I can't wait to get to know the wonderful staff, students and families at Prairie!
Educational Aide: Mrs. Lindsay Metz
Hello, Prairie! I have been a Pre-K teacher for 23 years. I live in Prairie Village with my husband and 3 children: Max (7th grade), Quinn (4th grade) and Lucy (Kindergarten).
I graduated from KU with a degree in Human Development and Family Life. My passion is working with children to be the best they can be!! I love to hang out with friends and family, hear live music and travel.
I am super excited to be working at Prairie! I look forward to meeting all the families and wonderful children!
Community Funded Full Time Innovation Specialist: Mrs. Sarah Todd
For the past two years, many of you have known me as the part-time math specialist at Prairie. This school year, I will be the full-time Innovation Specialist. I am excited to collaborate and support staff and students in this expanded role.
I graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Mathematics. I began my teaching career at Blackbob Elementary in Olathe as a kindergarten teacher. Matt and I got married the following summer and we ventured off to Colorado. There I taught year-round kindergarten at Mission Viejo in the Cherry Creek School District. I spent three years there while completing my Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. We then moved back in Lawrence and I taught fourth grade at Starside Elementary in the De Soto School District. I paused teaching and focused my energy on being a mom after having our first daughter, and we now have two amazing daughters: Amelia (6th grader at Prairie) and Hannah (Sophomore at SME). I loved volunteering at their preschools and elementary schools and started to get the itch to hop back into teaching. I began tutoring and then subbed at Prairie and feel very fortunate to have landed a position at this school.
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer break and I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Building Secretary: Mrs. Julie Keogh
I had a wonderful time last year getting to know the Prairie community as your clerical aide. I am excited to be moving into the secretary role this year. My work life has taken me in a few different directions in the past including theatrical lighting, banking and food service.
When I am not at work you will often find me trail running, paddle boarding, crafting or out walking my dog with my husband. I am looking forward to another school year with this wonderful community!
Note: We no longer have a clerical aide position at Prairie. One of our two educational aides, Jenny Goodson, will help support Mrs. Keogh in the office a couple of hours a day.