Horizon Life Apps
Edition 1
What is a Life App?
Life Application classes are designed to introduce information and skills to students to help them be successful in everyday life. These classes are taught by specialty teachers and taught in addition to core subjects.
Meet Our Life App Teachers!
Band - Dustin Jussila, Jacob Hofer, Gina Thompson
Dustin Jussila is in his 7th year of teaching at Mustang Schools and is our percussion teacher for Horizon Beginning Band. Mr. Jussila oversees the percussion students at Horizon, Mustang Middle School and Mustang High School. In his spare time he likes fishing and visiting his family in Michigan.
Jacob Hofer is in his 7th year of teaching at Mustang Schools and is the trumpet and trombone teacher at Horizon Intermediate School. He also is the director of the Concert and symphonic bands at Mustang Middle School. He is the visual/brass supervisor for Mustang High School Marching Band and directs the Symphonic Band for Mustang High School. In his spare time he likes to run marathons, listen to podcasts and spend time with his crazy dog Denver.
Gina Thompson is starting her 5th year at Mustang Schools and teaches both flute and clarinet class at Horizon Intermediate School. Ms. Thompson directs the Mustang Middle School Wind Ensemble, the High School Jazz Ensemble A and is the woodwind specialist for the Mustang High School Marching Band. After marching season has ended, Ms. Thompson helps direct the Symphonic Band at Mustang High School. In her spare time Ms. Thompson enjoys watching movies and reading.
Students in beginning band at Horizon will learn to play one of the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone and Percussion. About halfway through the year students are provided with the opportunity to try out for Saxophone, Horn, Tuba, Baritone, Oboe, Bassoon and Bass Clarinet. If a student is selected to play one of these “specialty” instruments, we ask them to commit to band for more than one school year and to take advantage of taking private lessons. All student will learn how to read music, count rhythms and understand musical terms. We have 4 large group performances scheduled for this school year. Our first performance is scheduled for October 10 at the High School in the Commons area. Please sign up for our remind group: text @horizonban to 81010, Like our Facebook page: Mustang Middle and Horizon Bands, and visit our website: www.mustangbands.com.
We look forward to helping your child develop a love for music!
Email: thompsong@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/GinaThompson.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
GATE, Leadership & Comm. - Jennifer Edwards
I am the 5th Grade Leadership, 5th Grade Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), and 6th Grade Communications teacher here at Mustang Horizon Intermediate. I attended The University of Central Oklahoma where I received a degree in Marketing Communications with a minor in Finance. Upon graduating I spent 12 years working in banking and finance prior to certifying to teach. This will be my 5th year teaching in Mustang at Mustang Horizon Intermediate. I am the HULK (Horizon's Ultimate Leaders of Kids) sponsor, as well as, the Horizon Robotics Club sponsor. I have been married for 14 years to a Mustang Alum, and we reside in the Yukon area with our 11 year old son.
Email: edwardsj@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/JenniferEdwards.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
General & Vocal Music - Sarah Green
Hello musicians! I am THRILLED to be your music teacher this year! This is my fourth year at Horizon and each year has been just as fun as the previous!
I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in 2013 with a bachelor in Vocal Music Education. I absolutely love learning any and everything there is to know about music. I also enjoy singing! I sing in the praise band and choir at my church.
I was born in Duncan, OK but raised in Louisiana until middle school when my family moved back to good ol’ Oklahoma. I love the cajun culture of Louisiana, but I’m an “Okie” at heart.
When I'm not teaching or enjoying music related activities... I like to spend time with my husband of five years and my two year-old son. I also love to read, play softball, and watch OU football and Thunder basketball. This December, my husband and I will be welcoming our newborn daughter, Alexis, into our hearts and home.
Email: greens@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/SarahGreen.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
Library Media Specialist - Rachel Ross
Hello! My name is Rachel Ross. I am a National Board certified library media specialist and have been an educator for 27 years working in the elementary and intermediate school setting. I am a graduate of Cameron University with a BS in elementary education and a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University with an MS in library media. I taught 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade prior to becoming a library media specialist and the Media Director for Horizon Intermediate.
I have been blessed with a loving husband named Jim, two wonderful children and three adorable stepchildren. We enjoy spending time at the gym, watching KU basketball and OSU football.
Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines and to all learning environments. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning.
In this class students will strive to become information literate by working on the following:
Determine the extent of information needed
Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
Evaluate information and its sources critically
Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally
Email: rossr@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/mediacenter3794.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6394
Physical Education - Diana McElroy
Welcome to PE! I am excited to begin my 5th year teaching PE at Horizon and my 13th year in Mustang. As a graduate of Mustang HS (long ago!), I am proud to raise my family in the same town. My husband Kevin and I have two young sons who keep us on our toes. In my free time I enjoying running, golf, and volleyball.
Students will be participating in several units in my class this year. Not only do we work on skills for team sports, but also units in rhythm and movement, speed and agility, as well as tips and tricks to staying healthy. Some of our school wide events include Pun/ Pass/Kick, dodgeball tournaments, and Track and Field Day.
Email: mcelroyd@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/DianaMcElroy.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
Physical Education - Jordan Rinehart
I would like to welcome you to my class. This year will be my 9th year teaching in Mustang. My goal is to provide students with knowledge, skills, values, and the enthusiasm to maintain a healthy lifestyle into adulthood. Activities included are designed to promote physical fitness, to develop motor skills, to instill knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts, and strategies. Students learn to either work as part of a team, or as individuals. Sportsmanship is a key component in my class. I look forward to another successful year teaching your child. My room is always open to come in and say hello or to share your thoughts and concerns.
Email: rinehartj@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/JordanRinehart.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
Spanish - Maribel Reyes
¡Hola! Me llamo Señora Reyes. I am always excited to teach my native language SPANISH. I am from Cuba which is the biggest island in the Caribbean Sea and where I lived most of my life. I have also lived in Mexico for a few years before settling in Oklahoma with my family 20 years ago.
I have been teaching Spanish in the Mustang school district for 17 years. I first taught middle school and for the last 4 years I have been at Horizon Intermediate. I love promoting multicultural opportunities for my students and strive to expose them to different traditions and celebrations. I am pleased when I see students engaged in actively learning a new language and being excited to learn more about the Hispanic culture.
Email: reyesm@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/MaribelReyes.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
STEM - Samantha Lindsey
My name is Samantha Lindsey. I am a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma. My degree is in Elementary Education with an endorsement in intermediate mathematics. I have been teaching for the past 11 years. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This will be my 4th year to teach STEM, and I absolutely love it! I am a HUGE thunder basketball fan!! #InRussWeTrust ;) I have also been a volleyball coach for the last 15 years.
I am so excited to get to know all of my new students. S.T.E.M. is a class where we work together to problem solve and create. I can’t wait to share the love of engineering with your student. Some of the activities that we will be creating and testing are Pasta Cars, Windmills, Catapults, Air Powered Rockets, LEGO motorized simple machines and other activities that focus on simple machines and force and motion.
Email: lindseys@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/SamanthaLindsey.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
Technology - Gina Sewell-Delaney
My name is Gina Delaney and this is my fifth year to teach at Horizon. I LOVE technology and teaching students all the different things we can do with it. I am looking forward to this year and getting to know you and your student. Please feel free to contact me at any time. The best way to reach me is through email. I will reply as promptly as possible.
I have been married to Michael Delaney for 21 years and we have two children; Connor who is 15 and Caitlin who is 14. They both attend Mustang High School. I love reading, scrapbooking, watching sports, and spending time with my family.
Email: delaneyf@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/GinaSewell-Delaney.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282
Visual Art - Sierra Machado
My name is Sierra Machado and I am excited to begin my ninth year teaching art. This is my third year as the art teacher at Horizon Intermediate School.
I graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and an Interdisciplinary Masters of Arts in Art Education from the University of South Carolina. I taught high school art for six years before moving to Oklahoma in 2015.
I love to travel, paint pet portraits, exercise, and run with my German Shepherd. My husband is the painting professor at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, and we love to go to the Wichita Mountains to paint the beautiful landscape. We are also very attached to our dog and cat.
My art classes draw, paint, sculpt with cardboard and paper mache, collage and have in-depth discussions about art history. Students will create, explore and critique a variety of art styles from a diverse range of historical contexts. Students also have the opportunity to have their artwork showcased in the hallways of Horizon, in the main office and at Mustang Public School’s annual art showcase.
Email: machados@mustangps.org
Website: http://www.mustangps.org/SierraMachado.aspx
Phone: 405-256-6282