Staff additions offer new perspectives and talents

Joe Allison

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“I taught and coached in Leavenworth, KS for the past 13 years. I was the head baseball coach at Leavenworth for 10 years and I coached football and wrestling as well.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“At BV West, I teach General Physical Education and Team Sports. I am the new head baseball coach and I am an assistant football coach as well.”

What is your favorite part about BV West?

“My favorite part about BV West is the students and their passion to succeed. I am impressed, by the work ethic, self-motivation, and determination that the students at BVW put forth. These student qualities motivate me to elevate my game as well in the classroom and on the field.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

“My favorite movie collection is the Rocky series. I am big time Sylvester Stallone fan. The latest installment of the Rocky movies, Creed 2, comes out this November.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“A fun fact about me is that I collect bobbleheads. I currently own 68 bobbleheads and have several new ones lined up to purchase. Most of my collection is  made up of Kansas City Royals Bobbleheads, but I do have several random ones such as the Pawn Stars characters, Kenny Powers, and I even have replica bobblehead of myself.”

Tucker Burton

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“I’ve taught in five other high schools. The most recent [school] was in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“I teach chemistry, but over the course of my career, I’ve taught really every high school science subject.”

What is you favorite part about BV West?

“I appreciate how caring [faculty, staff and students] are about the work that they are doing.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

Book: “The Way of the Scout, by Tom Brown. He teaches wilderness survival skills.”

Movies: “Love Actually and The Last Unicorn.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail back in 2001. It took 5 months.”

Sandy Espitia

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“I taught at Lakewood Middle School. I was there for 14 years.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“I teach Spanish 2.0 and 2.5.”

What is you favorite part about BV West?

“I get to see my former students and I see how much they have grown academically and language wise.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

“De amor y De sombra by Isabel Allende.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I am Colombian, I love teaching and that nobody is going to stop me.”

Marie Hoeven

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“I taught at Edna Karr in New Orleans, Louisiana.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“I teach US and World History.”

What is you favorite part about BV West?

“The people. I was told it is a family and it is very much a family, welcoming, sincerely supportive environment.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

“My favorite movie is Lincoln and my favorite book is Crazy in Alabama.”

What is a fun fact about you?

 “I can make a good pie with a homemade crust.”

Derek Howard

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“Lee’s Summit West High School.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“Health and PE.”

What is you favorite part about BV West?

“The traffic flow system of the parking lot.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

“11/22/63, by Stephen King.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“Dr. Potts introduced me to my wife.  She’s the best person I know. I am forever grateful.”

Natasha Janousek

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“I taught one year at a school in Colorado and I taught for four years at Mill Valley High School.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“Here, I teach Algebra 2 and Intro to Algebra 2.”

What is you favorite part about BV West?

“I like everybody’s work ethic. Everybody is willing to work on whatever I ask them to work on.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

Movie: “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind and The Royal Tenenbaums.”

Books: “Wild, by Cheryl Strayed.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I am married but haven’t had my wedding yet. My name has changed, but the wedding is not until October.”

Paige Lankford

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“I just graduated in May, and I went to the University of Missouri. I’m a Mizzou girl.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“I teach Modern World and US history.”

What is you favorite part about BV West?

“The whole community. All the teachers said that it truly is a family, and I’ve already seen that and I’ve only been here for a month. I absolutely love it here and I love all the students and the teachers. The teachers really check in on me and make sure I’m doing okay. Especially as a first year teacher.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

“My favorite childhood movie is Matilda and my favorite tv shows are The Office and New Girl.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I am living with my parents.”

Chris Orel

Where did you teach before coming to BV West?

“The previous 18 years, I was at St. Thomas Aquinas.”

What class (or classes) do you teach?

“Here, I am responsible for the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Classes. I’m also responsible for the Software Development Game Design.”

What is you favorite part about BV West?

“The biggest thing that I see here that I like is the diversity that’s in the student population and in the faculty and staff. It just brings a greater appreciation to what we do everyday.”

What is your favorite book or movie?

Movie: “My favorite movie of all time is The Sound of Music.”

Book: “Reach For the Summit, by Pat Summitt.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I dream that I’m going to build a log cabin in Colorado someday.”