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Faculty
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Gene M. Meier, Superintendent of FWHS, Associate Supt. of FCSD #21 |
A Vision of Learning: Every student is respected for their
unique ability to learn. They can expect that their high school
experience will include culturally relevant, concrete, holistic,
and hands-on experiences that are community based and of the highest
quality to prepare them for college. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Gene M. Meier is currently the superintendent of the
Fort Washakie High School and Wyoming E Academy of Virtual Education
(WeAVE). He is also the associate superintendent in Fremont County
School District No. 21. This educational innovation is Wyoming’s
premiere public online high school located on the Wind River Indian
Reservation in the mountains of Wyoming. WeAVE not only serves the
reservation, but also the state of Wyoming as a choice for high
school education. Gene was the Principal Investigator for the Wind
River Rural Systemic Initiative (WRRSI), a program that was originally
funded by the National Science Foundation to promote and increase
science, technology, engineering and math literacy amongst Native
American Students and communities. Today he oversees the Native
Science Field Center, another NSF funded project.
Gene was the Regional Coordinator for the Tribal College Rural Systemic
Initiative located at Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt,
North Dakota. Today, he maintains his relationship with tribal colleges
as a consultant providing technical assistance and evaluation services.
He has been involved with math and science education reform for
Native Americans for 15 years.
Recently Gene was as a panelist for the Committee of Visitors, a
review of programming to minority serving institutions by the National
Science Foundation. He also served on the legislative task force
in Wyoming to develop rules and regulations for distance education.
He has been a chef, medic, a forest service botanist, and a technology
director.
Gene enjoys mountain biking, fly fishing, snowboarding and enjoys
the outdoors with his family. He maintains two homes, with the other
in the Black Hills near South Dakota. He has five children; three
are in college and the youngest attends WeAVE high school. "Break
The Cycle" is Gene's quote for his high school students and
feels that with the use of technology and increased opportunities
in science and math, the walls of education will tumble down for
all Native American students and others who have been historically
underserved.
Gene has a B. S. in Biology, a M. A. in Education, and is currently
engaged in a doctorate program in educational leadership at the
University of Wyoming.
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Shad Hamilton, Principal |
I was born in Powell, Wyoming. I attended public school K-12 in Riverton, WY. I grew up and lived near Arapahoe for most of that time. My family has been in Wyoming for four generations. I love Wyoming. When I'm not busy being a principal I love to get outside and play in Wyoming's backcountry.
I attended Chadron State College and earned a BS in K-12 Art Ed in 1998. While I worked as a graduate assistant for CSC I completed my Master in Education in 2000. After that I got married and moved to Chefornak, Alaska where I was the Dean of Students for a bi-lingual, K-12, Yup'ik Eskimo school for three years. During this time I earned my principal's endorsement through distance and on-line courses from the University of Alaska- Anchorage. I learned a lot about working with and teaching in different cultures through my experience in Alaska.
After Alaska I came home. I was the Principal for Pathfinder Alternative High School in Lander, WY for one year, before I accepted my current position at FWHS or WeAVE.
My entire professional career has been spent educating at-risk or Native American students. For a long time I've recognized the importance for small, rural communities to have their own high school. It's been a very rewarding experience to help develop and establish a quality high school in Fort Washakie. FWHS and WeAVE are accredited schools, the entire state can benefit from. I'm proud to be a part of both.
Email address: shamilton"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
| Teaching Staff |
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Heather Buchanan, Dept. Head & Teacher: Math |
I grew up in Rattler Country, best known as Little Snake River Valley,
which consists of Baggs, Dixon, and Savery, Wyoming near the Colorado
border. Before my 8th grade year, I moved to Buckaroo Country of Kaycee,
Wyoming and graduated from Kaycee High School. During my 8th grade
year, my math teacher inspired me to become a math teacher and coach.
That desire lead me to obtain an Associates in Science degree from
Casper College, and a Bachelor in Science and Education degree at
South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. My first
teaching experience was in the infamous town of Deadwood, SD. I taught
8th grade Pre-Algebra and Algebra, and coached 7th and 8th grade volleyball.
After three years, I returned to Wyoming and have taught mathematics
in Saratoga, Sheridan, Shoshoni, and Fort Washakie, Wyoming. I also
have coached varsity volleyball in Saratoga and Shoshoni, Wyoming.
In between teaching, coaching, and going to school, I have experienced
working as a bank teller, caretaker for people with disabilities,
volleyball official, and a horse trail ride wrangler/guide for a Lutheran
Outdoors Bible Camp. I have also obtained a Horse Management and Equine
Science degree at CWC in hopes to provide opportunities for people
(of all ages and abilities) to learn how to ride, train and care for
horses. In my spare time I enjoy working with my horses, playing with
my dogs, venturing outdoors, sewing, knitting, and serving the Lord!
I am also blessed to live in a beautiful place where I can roam in
free space and be close to family.
This is my third year teaching at Ft. Washakie High School and still
loving it! Teaching students at Fort Washakie has been rewarding,
positive, and relative to my style of teaching. I am excited to be
on the cutting edge of a virtual high school that is growing, learning,
and helping students achieve goals. My mission is to challenge my
students and promote learning so that all students can achieve a high
school diploma and a college education.
Have a great school year!
Email Address: hbuchanan"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us
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David Herrick, Dept. Head & Teacher: Social Studies |
I have spent most of my life in Wisconsin, have spent some time in South Dakota, and have previously taught in Colorado. I am excited to be a part of this non-traditional teaching environment as an on-campus instructor at Fort Washakie Charter High School and as a social studies teacher for WeAVE.
My wife and I enjoy doing outdoor activities: hiking, backpacking, camping, biking, running, and rock climbing (although she really enjoys the latter much more than I do). I look forward to being involved with the cross-country and track teams here at Fort Washakie Charter High School, as running and coaching runners is a passion of mine.
I earned a BA in History in 2002 from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where I competed in college in cross-country and track, and an MA in Secondary Education in 2006 from the University of South Dakota. Again, I am excited to be here and look forward to working with all of you.
Email Address: dherrick"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Riki Kremers, Teacher, Math |
I grew up in the small town of Kaycee, Wyoming. Athletics led me off to
college where I played both Volleyball and Basketball for the Sheridan
Lady Generals. From there I transferred to Chadron State College to
play Basketball for the Lady Eagles and study Mathematics, Physical
Education, and Computer Science.
In 2000, I left Chadron State with a Bachelor degree in Mathematics
and a Bachelor degree in Secondary Education. Armed with my degrees
I set off to begin my teaching career at Wind River High School, Pavillion,
Wyoming. I taught all levels of high school math, some computer science,
and even found time to teach a weight lifting course. I was also responsible
for coaching High School Volleyball, and Middle School Boys and Girls
Basketball. In amongst all my duties at Wind River I found the time
to obtain a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University
of Wyoming.
In 2005, I chose to leave the traditional classroom to pursue a career
in agriculture and be with my husband. I moved to Lance Creek, Wyoming,
which is located on the eastern side of the state, 30 miles NW of
Lusk. I am currently a stay at home mom with our daughter Royal and
I help my husband run our ranching operation. In the evenings is when
I find the time to sit down and teach in my cyber classroom. I have
truly enjoyed this situation as it has allowed me to pursue two of
my passions, teaching and ranching, and now I can also enjoy our daughter’s
growth and development.
I believe that WeAVE courses can be created and tailored to fit most
any student and his/her situation; and this is why I undertook the
project writing a math course to be used by the Virtual School. Last
spring I finished writing the Pre-Algebra Prep Course which I am also
currently teaching. The Virtual Classroom is something that I really
have confidence in; I have witnessed and been apart of many student
success stories through my classes. At this time I am enjoying the
opportunity to teach 5 courses; Pre-Algebra Prep, Essential Math 1A,
Essential Math 1B, Geometry 1A, and Algebra 2B.
Email Address: rkremers"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Barney Lacock, Teacher, English |
I was born and raised in Paradise, Montana—a small logging community of 300 people and more or less the same number of dogs. There I attended a K-8 school that only had eighty students at its zenith; I later traveled to a neighboring town for high school.
After a seven year stint in the logging industry, I attended the University of Montana and earned a BA in History/Political Science in 1993; I also earned a BA in English in 1995.
That same year I came to Fort Washakie and taught in the junior high for two years before returning to Montana, where I owned and operated a logging company.
Discovering that I missed Wyoming and education, I returned to the Wind Rivers and worked at Arapahoe—as a teacher and as a federal programs director--for six years. During this time, I earned a Master’s in Education. Later, I worked in the Wyoming Department of Education as Director of Federal Programs but chose to stay in Fremont County when the unit moved to Cheyenne. At that time, I was fortunate enough to become part of the Fort Washakie Charter High School.
In my spare time I like to tramp around the mountains--sometimes by ankle express, sometimes by horseback.
Email Address: blacock"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Mary Montgomery, Teacher, Math |
I am a certified math and science teacher and a mother of 3 children. I grew up in the suburbs, south of Cincinnati, Ohio (in Erlanger, Kentucky). I pursued a career as a pianist at an early age. I later attended and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, with a major in Environmental Geological Sciences and a minor in Music Education. After being married in 1994, my husband and I moved to Wapiti, where we live on his family’s ranch. In 1998, I earned my Master’s degree from Montana State University- Billings in Math and Science Education. I have taught at Northwest College, Burlington Junior High/ High School, and Cody High School. I currently teach 3 online classes for Ft. Washakie Charter High School, assistant coach the Cody High School Speech and Debate Team, and teach private piano lessons. Aside from my professional endeavors, I enjoy spending time recreating with my family in the great outdoors of Wyoming and cheering on my kids as they play hockey and soccer.
Email Address: mmontgomery"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Connie Cottrell Moore, Teacher, Foreign Language |
I grew up in Meeteetse, Wyoming where my father was a teacher in Meeteetse for 36 years. I enjoyed growing up in a small Wyoming community.
I was able to earn my bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education from the University of Wyoming, and my Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Chapman University in California. Along the way, I earned a degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University.
I was fortunate to practice and improve my knowledge and ability to use Spanish by living in Honduras, Central America for a year and a half as a Welfare Missionary. I further improved my Spanish skills by working in California with the Amnesty program for two years.
I am happily married and the mother to three wonderful children. I also am a part- time professor at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. I thoroughly enjoy teaching Spanish and working with young people.
Email Address: cmoore"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Mike Read, Dept. Head & Teacher: Language Arts |
Howdy! I’m the newbie here at FWCHS. I come to Ft. Washakie with six years experience teaching multiple levels of English, History, and even the occasional Spanish class. I’ve taught in Wyoming for three years now, Montana for one year, and Mississippi for three years.
Before becoming a teacher, I was a federal law enforcement officer in El Paso, Texas. You might be able to tell that I’ve moved many times in my life. That being said, however, I am truly hoping to make the Wind River area my home.
I became a teacher because I want to help the young minds of the world understand how wide open and beautiful this world is. I believe that education is more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. Education is a lifelong process that helps us individually and communally understand how we fit into the world.
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Christine Rogers, Teacher, English |
Since I love the mountains and the people of the West, I'm lucky I've
spent most of my life in Wyoming. Currently, I am working toward a
PhD at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. My main research interests
center upon teacher thinking, indigenous ways of knowing, and community-centered
learning. I’m also teaching a course for college juniors called
“Teacher as Practitioner.” Prior to my move to Laramie
the summer of 2007, I worked as an Instructional Facilitator (I provided
individualized professional development for other teachers, conducted
research, and analyzed data) at Lander Valley High School. From 1999-2006,
I taught a variety of Language Arts courses for several years, including
Creative Writing, Native American Literature, Debate, and Language
Arts 9, 10, 11, and 12. Teaching is my greatest passion, and I'm always
looking forward to learning something new from my students.
When I'm not teaching or researching, I enjoy riding horses, playing
outdoors, and being with friends and family. I have a young Trakehner
(a warmblood breed of horse) named Kharissma and a still-puppy “BordAussie”
(a Border Collie-Australian Shepherd cross) named Ruckus. I love to
travel: I have traveled to 9 different countries, gone swimming with
piranhas, climbed several big mountains, and seen lions and elephants
in the wild. This past summer I traveled to Thailand with my new husband,
where we surfed, rock climbed, ate lots of great food, and went scuba
diving with sharks.
I graduated from Augustana College in Illinois in 1997 with two BA
degrees--one in English and one in Geography, as well as a Latin American
Studies Minor and Writing Emphasis. In 1999 I completed a MAT degree
from the University of Iowa. During my experience there, I completed
studies in multicultural young adult literature, learning style diversity,
and teaching Native American literature.
Email Address: crogers"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Mark Roy, Dept. Head & Teacher: Science |
I grew up in the breadbasket of America. I was born in Illinois and then lived in Minnesota, Iowa and Kansas. I received my BA in Interpretive Ecology from Ottawa University in KS and an M.Div from Bethel Seminary in MN before landing in God’s country- Wyoming!
I began my adventure as an educator in 1986 as an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. My experiences as an instructor in the mountains and on the coastal waters in North and South America remain high points of my life. My wife, also a NOLS instructor, and I married in 1995 initiating a lifestyle change process that brought about a surprising realization. I love teaching! That was a surprise because I tolerated rather than embraced my experience from public school through grad school. My education seemed disconnected from the real world. I was always told what was important to know and seldom given opportunity to explore and discover. Outdoor education showed my how effective and exciting education can be.
Over the last 9 years I have tried to engage in real and meaningful learning experiences with my students as I taught science at the Middle and Senior High School levels on the Wind River Indian Reservation. This past year I had the privilege of teaching five 1st and 3rd grade students in my own home. Two of these students were my own sons! I am very fortunate to now be involved with the innovative and exciting educational approach of FWCHS!
Email Address: mroy"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us
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Melissa Sprain, Teacher: Health |
Hello from Wisconsin! Yes I am a Packer Fan and Yes the cheese here is the best in the country. My name is Melissa Sprain and am currently an offsite instructor for the WeAVE, in the Health and Physical Education Department. Living a healthy active lifestyle and understanding as many aspects of wellness is a priority in my life. To ensure that I am living this I incorporate many activities in my free time, mostly activities that include the outdoors, like hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing and fishing.
My background includes an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) in Physical Education and coaching. Once I received that degree I packed my bags and moved to Fort Washakie, WY and taught physical education for the k-8 building for one year. When the idea of a charter high school was discussed I was eager to be a part of that process and began the development of starting a new school and taught for three years at the Fort Washakie Charter High School, in the health, PE and social studies department. I also coached the first ever girls basketball team, GO EAGLES! Most recently I have joined the Exercise and Sport Science Department at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse and teach courses to future physical education teachers.
I am thrilled to continue being an educator with the WeAVE and look forward to working with you in the near future, have a great semester!
Email Address: msprain"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us
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Brad Stanton, Teacher, English |
I have a degree in Education from University of Idaho with a minor in Outdoor Leadership. From 2002-04 I taught at Pathfinder High School in Lander, WY. I started work at FWHS in 2005, dividing my time between teaching and leading climbing expeditions for The National Outdoor Leadership School. Currently, I am attending classes full time at University of Wyoming in pursuit of an engineering degree.
I love to travel and have visited 14 countries since I turned 18—including Tanzania, Nepal, Brazil and a plethora of European Countries. I’m also a climbing aficionado and spend my summers in search of splitter cracks in the lazy evening sun. I’ve climbed rock, ice, and mountains all over the world, including Kilimanjaro, El Capitan in Yosemite, CA, and the Tetons. In winter, I spend my time skiing and studying avalanches—both passions of mine.
Email Address: bstanton"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Amanda Tinker, Teacher, Social Studies |
I am Amanda (Mandy) Tinker, but I am called Mandy. I was born and raised in
Casper, WY. My areas of certification are 6-12 History and 6-12 English.
After graduating from Chadron Sate College, I taught English for three
years at a small rural high school in western Nebraska. From there I
traveled to Alaska where my husband and I lived and worked in the Yup'ik
Eskimo village of Chefornak for three years. I taught a variety of subjects
at Caputnguak High School, but my main job was being the 7th through
12th grade Language Arts teacher.
I have since made my home in Lander, WY. I worked for Wyoming Indian
Middle School as an 8th grade English teacher for five years. I am now
a stay-at-home mom and teach online history and English courses for
WeAVE. In my free time, I enjoy playing in the mountains with my husband
and our two children. Life is good.
Email Address: atinker"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us
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Bertha Tracy, Teacher, Science |
I have been teaching for 29 years, most of which were in Illinois. I moved to Rawlins, Wyoming in July of 2005 and am teaching face-to-face classes in Biology, Anatomy and Chemistry at Rawlins High School. I also teach college Monday and Wednesday nights for the Higher Education Center here in Rawlins. Until recently, like you, I was a student in graduate school and took all of my classes online the same way you are. So I have experienced a virtual school setting.
Email Address: btracy"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Adria Trembly, Teacher, Social Studies |
I grew up in south-central Kansas, in the flatlands on a small family farm. Through my youth I showed animals as 4-H projects and helped with cattle and hay. After High School I went to Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado where I debated about going into the teaching field but opted instead for Business Administration, I graduated from there with 2 degrees in Economics and Finance. After a few years in Dubois, WY where my husband and I married and he teaches and coaches, I decided I should have gone into education in the first place, so through Regis University I obtained a teaching certificate in Social Studies for grades 7-12.
We live outside of Dubois in a log cabin in the Union Pass area and love out life there. We spend much of our time gathering and cutting firewood to get us through the winters as well as hiking, fishing, hunting and snowshoeing. My husband and I have 4 boys (I am the only girl!) so life is generally pretty busy for all of us.
I love working with kids and spend much of my time volunteering for the Dubois schools and working with WeAVE. Although I haven’t met any of you, I feel a connection with most of you through emails and assignments. I also love being a part of giving students an alternative to the mainstream educational setting, thanks for letting me be a part of it!
Email Address: atrembly"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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David Trembly, Teacher, Math |
I was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming growing up hunting, fishing, involved in 4-H and athletics. After high school I went on to Tabor College in Kansas to play football and earn degrees in health, physical education mathematics and computer science. I spent 10 years teaching and coaching in a small school system in central Kansas then had the chance to move back to Wyoming. I have been teaching mathematics, computer science, physical education and coaching football, wrestling and track in Dubois for 8 years now. In that time, I have earned a Master's degree Education and Administration.
My wife and four boys live in the Union Pass area and enjoy hunting, trapping, fishing, raising mustangs, snowmachining and just living next to the wilderness.
Email Address: datrembly"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
| Support Staff |
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Beverly Hurtado, Secretary |
I am currently the secretary for the Fort Washakie Charter High School. I graduated
from Riverside Indian School in 1989. I graduated from Haskell Indian
Junior College in 1993 with an Associate Degree in Information Systems.
I worked for the Shoshone Tribe from 1993-2004. I really enjoyed being
away from here but think Wyoming is the most beautiful place that
I've ever been. I have a beautiful daughter in the 7th grade.
Email Address: bhurtado"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Katie Swistowicz [Logan],
Technology Director |
Katie Swistwoicz is the technology director for the Wyoming e Academy of Virtual
Education and Fort Washakie High School, both housed at Fort Washakie
School.
She has a BS in information technology and a MA in learning and technology. She is a life-long resident of Fremont County with two small children.
Email Address: kswistowicz"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Lisa Lone Fight, Native Science Field Center Director |
Lisa Lone Fight, an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara(Sahnish) Nation and Program Director for the Wind River Native Science Field Center (WRNSFC), is an indigenous educator specializing in culturally relevant programming and the empowerment of native students. Lisa has studied indigenous science and psychology with her grandmothers and brings that knowledge as well as her academic work in Psychology and Indian Studies at the University of North Dakota to the WRNSFC.
Lisa follows in the tradition of her grandmothers who have been accomplished and recognized native scientists and culture bearers as far back as memory persists. Her Grandmother Buffalo Bird Woman was the author of the primary account of Northern Plains native agricultural science.
Lisa’s wide experience working with Indian communities throughout the United States has strengthened her understanding of the critical need to make science and math culturally relevant and interesting for contemporary Native students. Her work as a journalist and photographer grounds her belief in the importance of communicating ideas and concepts to a wide audience in an accessible and engaging manner.
Email Address: llonefight"at"fremont21.k12.wy.us |
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Rory Tendore, Administrative Assistant |
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