AISD teaching assignments decided
By Melinda L. Lucas
The last name on a fairly lengthy list of classroom teachers and coaches has been checked off this week, although a few expected contracts are not yet finalized, according to Albany ISD administrative assistant Lynsi Musselman.
With so many longtime educators retiring this year and others leaving the district, AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott commented that hiring for multiple positions in a post-COVID environment has been challenging.
He told school board members at the June meeting that putting together the right combination of assignments with the ongoing teacher shortage was like a “jigsaw puzzle.”
“It has been a very busy season of hiring,” Scott said this week. “I’m very proud to have each one of our new teachers and staff members join our district.”
New secondary principal Ezra Chambers offcially started work on July 1, with several others also on campus for sports conditioning and other preparations for the upcoming school year, which starts on Thursday, Aug 17.
Other new employees include the following:
Heather Nitschke – district nurse
Kirstin Hilliard – first grade
Lenzi Hart – sixth grade
Makinzie Tomascik – elementary PE/secondary coach
Brad Stautzenberger – elementary special education/secondary coach
Joanna Wright – PEIMS clerk/registrar
Jenci Chambers – instructional interventionist
Donnie Hart – secondary CTE instructor/coach
Zach Harmon – high school science
Payton Rogers – secondary PEIMS clerk/registrar
Tiffany Swert – secondary instructional aide
Others expected to sign contracts in the next week are the following:
Kay Oliver –junior high history
Lauren Peacock - junior high speech/ health/coach
Nikki Cradduck - high school science
Coaching Assignments
According to AISD athletic director Ryder Peacock, most of the decisions and assignments have been made for the new and returning coaches.
Tate Thompson is moving to the boys side as assistant football coach, assistant high school boys basketball, and head golf.
Other returning coaches will retain their present duties.
Assignments for new coaches include;
Donnie Hart – cross country, head girls basketball, junior high girls track
Lauren Peacock – head girls track, assistant high school basketball, junior high volleyball
Brad Stautzenberger – assistant high school girls basketball, junior high volleyball, assistant high school track
Makinzie Tomascik – assistant high school volleyball, junior high basketball, assistant softball.
