By Sydney Bartels
As Silver Lake has begun a new school year, students and staff have welcomed many new teachers and administrators. Joining the Mustangs are eight new staff members: Mr. Scott, high school P.E.; Miss Rupprecht, elementary P.E.; Mrs. Crone, high school math; Mrs. Thomas, high school math; Mrs. James, 2nd grade; Mr. Brown, 5th grade; Mr. Lloetterle, mental health practitioner; and Mr. Jones, high school principal. Out of the six new teachers joining the Silver Lake staff, five of them have been teaching for numerous years. Mrs. Crone and Mrs. Thomas both moved to the district from their previous teaching jobs in Colorado. Mrs. Crone is originally from Pennsylvania, where she received her undergraduate degree. She then taught in Virginia and then in Colorado where she received her master’s degree in CSU-Global. Outside of math, she enjoys reading, refurnishing furniture, and quilting. Mrs. Thomas recently moved to Hastings from Colorado with her husband Louis, two children Emma and Frank, and two dogs, Dolly and Gibbs. Emma and Frank are both students at Silver Lake in grades 3rd and 10th. Mrs. Thomas loves learning as shown through her MBA from Colorado State University-Pueblo and her master’s degree in English from Colorado State University Global Campus. Mr. Scott is just starting his teaching career. Mr. Scott recently graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, after being influenced by his parents’ careers in education. He explained, “I really only wanted to be a coach when I first started my degree, but soon enjoyed the teaching side of things and wanted to make an impact on my future students and help prepare them for their near future that is just right around the corner.” Along with his position as a High School P.E. teacher Mr. Scott, along with Mr. Brown, coaches the High School Football team. Mr. Brown was previously employed by Minden Public Schools where he taught as a High School education teacher for two years and as a 4th grade teacher for three years. Mr. Brown says he is extremely excited and grateful to be teaching and coaching at Silver Lake Public Schools because he is looking forward to teaching at a small school. Coming off of 13 years of teaching experience at Franklin Public Schools, Mrs. James is excited to get to share her love of children’s books with her students and help them work hard toward daily challenges. When she isn’t busy inspiring her students, Mrs. James enjoys running, painting, and creating things. She also loves spending time with her husband Simon and their four daughters, Halsey, Henley, Hadley, and Hopelyn through hunting, fishing, and farming. Miss Rupprecht, a previous Silver Lake graduate, moved back to the area after attending Midland University and then teaching in Fremont for several years. She is excited to be back at Silver Lake in her new role as Elementary P.E. teacher and High School Volleyball coach to make many new memories.