New Teacher Alert: Meet EmmaRae Chavez!

We are excited to welcome EmmaRae Chavez back to Holton Middle School!

Many of our students, staff, and families will already recognize EmmaRae from her previous time teaching 7th grade social studies at HMS. We are thrilled she is returning to our district, this time stepping into the role of 8th grade English Language Arts teacher!

EmmaRae brings a passion for learning, relationship-building, and helping students discover confidence in their own voice. She believes middle school is a critical time for students to grow not only academically, but also personally, and she is committed to creating a classroom environment where students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged every day.

Her experience working with middle school students, combined with her background in counseling and coaching, gives her a unique ability to connect with students and help them feel seen, valued, and capable of success. Whether students are diving into literature, sharpening their writing skills, or engaging in thoughtful discussion, EmmaRae is excited to help them grow as readers, writers, and thinkers.

EmmaRae is also a lifelong learner herself and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Higher Education. That commitment to growth and continuous learning is something she models for students each day.

We are grateful to have EmmaRae returning to Holton Middle School and know she will make a meaningful impact on our students and families once again.

Please join us in giving EmmaRae a warm “welcome back” to HMS as she begins this exciting new chapter!

New Teacher Alert: Meet Lainey Ebel!

We are excited to welcome Lainey Ebel to Holton Elementary as the newest member of our elementary teaching team!

Lainey joins us after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University, where she consistently earned recognition on the President’s Honor Roll. More importantly, she brings a genuine passion for helping young learners grow, explore, and build confidence in themselves each day.

Lainey believes the elementary years are some of the most important in a child’s life. She is committed to creating a classroom environment where students feel safe, included, and excited to learn. Her goal is to make school a place where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are part of learning, and every child feels valued.

During her student teaching experience at Eugene Field Elementary, Lainey gained meaningful experience working in both kindergarten and special education settings. Those opportunities helped strengthen her ability to meet students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally while building strong relationships along the way.

Lainey also understands the importance of teamwork and communication. She values partnering closely with families and collaborating with colleagues to ensure students receive the support and encouragement they need to thrive.

We are grateful to have Lainey joining our district and know she will make a positive impact on the lives of students and families.

Please help us give Lainey a warm Holton welcome as she begins her teaching journey with us!

Holton USD 336 would like to provide an update regarding the Holton High School principal search process.

Throughout this process, our commitment has remained focused on finding a leader with a proven track record of instructional leadership and student success who aligns with the high standards and vision of excellence established by the Holton community.

Selecting a leader is an important responsibility, but May is late in the administrative hiring season. To position Holton High School for long-term success, the district has decided to pause the search for a permanent high school administrator for the 2026-2027 school year. This decision provides the time and flexibility needed to conduct a thorough search during the prime hiring season, when the more experienced pool of candidates is typically available.

While this changes the timeline, it also creates an opportunity to intentionally strengthen systems, deepen collaboration between buildings, and prepare for the next phase of growth at Holton High School. During the coming year, staff from both buildings will work together to strengthen alignment and continuity across grades 6-12, creating a stronger instructional foundation and more unified student experience moving forward.

For the 2026-2027 school year:
• Michael Kimberlin will serve as Interim 6-12 Principal
• Aaron Poston will serve as Interim 6-12 Assistant Principal

Together, they will provide leadership and support across both Holton Middle School and Holton High School. Their familiarity with the district, staff, students, and instructional systems will provide stability and continuity throughout the transition process.

During the upcoming year:
• Mr. Kimberlin will maintain a primary office at Holton High School.
• Mr. Poston will maintain a primary office at Holton Middle School.

Both administrators will work flexibly between the two buildings to support students, staff, and families across grades 6-12.

The district plans to begin the search for the next permanent Holton High School principal around November 2026, aligning with the most active and competitive period in the administrator hiring cycle.

Once a permanent high school principal has been selected, Mr. Kimberlin will return full-time to his role as principal of Holton Middle School.

We appreciate the continued support and partnership of our staff, students, families, and community as we work together to position Holton High School for continued growth and long-term success.

New Teacher Alert: Meet Meghan Hunerdosse!

We are excited to welcome Meghan Hunerdosse to our high school teaching team as our new Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA Advisor!

While Meghan is officially joining us this year, she is already a familiar face to many of our students and families. Throughout this spring, she has already been investing in our program by assisting with chapter officer interviews and helping support the FFA Chapter Banquet in April. Her willingness to jump in, build relationships, and support students right away speaks volumes about her passion for agricultural education and student leadership.

A recent graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Meghan brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and a deep commitment to helping students grow both academically and personally. She believes agricultural education is about far more than classroom instruction. It’s about preparing students to become confident leaders, skilled problem-solvers, and future-ready individuals.

Meghan gained valuable experience during her student teaching at Sabetha High School, where she worked across multiple agricultural pathways including animal science, horticulture, plant science, and agricultural mechanics. She also brings specialized NC3 certifications in Agricultural Mechanics, helping connect classroom learning to real-world industry skills.

Her leadership background is equally impressive. Meghan served as President of Sigma Alpha and earned her American FFA Degree, the highest honor awarded within the National FFA Organization. Those accomplishments reflect her dedication to service, leadership, and the future of agriculture.

Meghan is passionate about creating engaging, hands-on experiences where students feel connected, challenged, and supported. We are excited for the energy and leadership she will bring to our agriculture and FFA programs.

Please join us in giving Meghan a warm Holton welcome as she begins this exciting new chapter with us!

New Teacher Alert: Meet Joni Fay!

Help us welcome Joni Fay to Holton Elementary!

Joni joins our district with tremendous enthusiasm, a heart for students, and a deep commitment to helping every child feel successful, supported, and valued. She believes the elementary years are foundational in shaping not only academic growth, but also confidence, relationships, and a lifelong love of learning.

What stands out most about Joni is her passion for supporting the “whole child.” She understands that students learn best when they feel connected, encouraged, and safe, and she is committed to creating a classroom environment where every student feels like they belong. Whether helping students strengthen their reading skills, build confidence in themselves, or discover excitement in learning something new, Joni is ready to make a meaningful impact from day one.

Joni also brings a strong background in education and is passionate about using effective, student-centered practices to help learners grow. She values collaboration, communication, and building strong relationships with families because she knows student success is strongest when schools and families work together.

Beyond the classroom, Joni is excited to become part of the culture and spirit of our school community. She is eager to invest in students, connect with families, and contribute positively to the incredible work happening across our district.

We are grateful Joni is joining our elementary team and know she will make a lasting difference in the lives of students and families.

Please join us in giving Joni a warm Holton welcome as she begins this exciting new chapter with us!

New Teacher Alert: Meet Ashley Griffith!

We are excited to welcome Ashley Griffith to our teaching team!

Ashley joins our district with a strong background in middle-level education and a passion for helping students grow during some of the most important years of their academic journey. A graduate of Washburn University, she brings both knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom and is excited to begin building relationships with students and families in Holton.

Ashley believes great teaching starts with understanding students as individuals. She is committed to creating a classroom environment built on kindness, encouragement, and curiosity, where students feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks, and challenging themselves to grow.

Prior to joining our district, Ashley taught Math and Science at Axtell Public Schools, where she worked with 6th and 7th-grade students. Through that experience, she developed a reputation for creating engaging, hands-on learning opportunities that helped students stay connected and excited about learning. Whether students are solving complex math problems or exploring scientific concepts, Ashley wants learning to feel meaningful, interactive, and approachable.

Ashley is passionate about helping students build both confidence and independence while ensuring every learner feels supported along the way. Her energy, positivity, and student-centered mindset will make a tremendous impact in our schools.

We are grateful Ashley is joining our district and look forward to the difference she will make for students and families.

Please join us in giving Ashley a warm Holton welcome as she begins this exciting new chapter with us!

New Teacher Alert: Meet Amanda Vanderharr!

We are excited to welcome Amanda Vanderharr to Holton Elementary and our incredible elementary teaching team!

Amanda brings a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge, and passion for supporting students. Throughout her career, she has worked across a variety of educational settings, helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally while creating classrooms where students feel safe, encouraged, and capable of success.

One of Amanda’s greatest strengths is her belief that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported. She is deeply committed to building inclusive learning environments where students can take risks, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Amanda’s background includes extensive work in Early Childhood Special Education, autism support, behavior intervention, and multi-tier systems of support. Her experience gives her a unique ability to meet students where they are and provide the individualized support they need to thrive. She understands that student success comes from strong relationships, consistency, and high expectations paired with care and compassion.

She also values the importance of strong partnerships with families and the community. Amanda believes collaboration between school and home plays a critical role in helping students reach their full potential, and she is excited to build those relationships here in Holton.

We are grateful Amanda is joining our district and know she will make a meaningful impact on students, staff, and families alike.

Please join us in giving Amanda a warm Holton welcome as she begins this exciting new chapter with us!

Tiny Paws Daycare is now accepting a limited number of 2 1/2 year olds for the 2026/2027 school year. The daycare follows closely with the Holton USD 336 school year calendar.

If this fits your child’s age group and you'd like to learn more, please contact the district office at 785-364-3650 and ask for Karla Tanking or email her at k.tanking@holtonks.net for more information.

We’re celebrating the retirement of Kelli Thompson and the lasting impact she’s made across Holton USD 336.

Kelli has spent nearly her entire career serving our students—whether teaching and challenging learners at Colorado and Central Elementary, or helping care for and build a strong foundation for our youngest students in the Holton Elementary Preschool.

Across every role, her focus has been the same: helping students grow. She’s invested in their learning, their development, and their future, meeting them where they are and pushing them forward with care and intention.

That kind of consistency over a career leaves a mark—not just on individual students, but on an entire system.

Kelli, thank you for your dedication to our schools and the generations of students you’ve supported along the way. Your impact has been phenomenal! 

Enjoy the well earned time in retirement! 

Let’s give a round of applause to Sandy Allen for the impact she’s made supporting students at the high school!

Sandy has played an important role in helping students stay on track—providing the support they need to keep learning and growing. She’s built strong relationships by showing up consistently, listening, and making sure students know someone is in their corner. She’s also poured into students beyond the school day, helping lead a faith-based club that reflects her commitment to supporting the whole student.

At the same time, she’s never lowered the bar. Sandy balances care with accountability—holding firm boundaries while helping students take responsibility for their learning. That combination is what helps students move forward with confidence.

Sandy, thank you for the steady support, high expectations, and meaningful relationships you’ve built with our students. You’ve made a difference that matters.

Wishing you all the best in your retirement!