Teammates in the classroom

BY ERIK GJOVIK

For two new Carrington Public School District teachers, it's become second nature to know what the other is doing, and to coordinate their actions toward a shared beneficial outcome.

In the fourth grade at Carrington Elementary, new teachers McKenzie Johnson and Kadyn Mehring have lived the bonds of growing up together in the Central City, childhood-long friendship, and a goal of teamwork as educators, forged through their successes on the same court in Cardinal athletics.

"I was so excited when I found out that Kadyn was going to be one of the fourth grade teachers," Johnson says. "Knowing that I will have someone who I'm so close with makes me feel that much more confident going into my first year of teaching."

Johnson takes over fourth grade duties from Nikki Braaten, who took a similar position in Jamestown, and Mehring is a "floater" who took over Morgan Klocke's post, meaning she will follow this class up the grade levels. They will teach alongside Teresa Pierson.

Both Johnson and Mehring are 2019 graduates of CHS, played volleyball and basketball for the Cards, and each of them parlayed their masteries of their sports into the next level.

Mehring was a member of the 2022 NAIA national champion University of Jamestown volleyball team, while Johnson played basketball at Bismarck State College for two seasons before transferring to Dickinson State to finish her bachelor's degree in education.

The two look forward to giving back to the community that helped nurture them as young girls.

"The Carrington community has always been very supportive of Cardinal students, no matter what activity they participate in," Mehring said. "For me, it was sports, and I can't wait to help grow the next generation of Cardinal students and athletes."

"My goal as a teacher is to create a learning environment where my students feel confident and engaged in their own learning goals," says Johnson. "I strive to create a safe space for learning, and to make the educational experience fun."

"I'm so excited for the year to start, and continue growing as a teacher along with Kadyn," Johnson said.

Mehring added, "It's important to build meaningful and healthy connections with my students, so that they know I care for them in a thoughtful manner."

Mehring previously taught fourth grade in Jamestown for one year before taking the Carrington position. She will coach the fifth and sixth grade volleyball programs, and will also be an assistant volleyball coach this season.

Johnson recently got engaged to her fiancé, Jamison Kramer, from Marion. Kramer was quite the basketball player himself, having starred in the sport for the Mayville State Comets.

Another new hire at Carrington Elementary, Hayleigh LaBelle, will now join the district as the pre-Kindergarten teacher.

Hayleigh LaBelle

LaBelle takes over for the retired Julie Miller, as the school district begins their third year of the pre-K program.

She graduated from Century High School in Bismarck in 2013, and received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Mayville State.

"My goal is to provide our students with an engaging and rich environment full of a variety of interest areas, to start their school career off with a love of learning through play," LaBelle says.

Haylei-gh and her husband, Greg LaBelle, have four sons, Owen, Kip, and twins Max and Miles. They live near Kensal in a renovated farmhouse.

Her hobbies and loves include reading, adventures with her boys, and teaching.

Junior/High School

Shanna Barone

Barone is the new high school study hall tutor, taking over for Jean Gauderman.

She received her high school diploma from Mandan High School in 2002, and also attended college at BSC.

"My philosophy is to lead by example," Barone says. "I want to promote a positive environment while helping students stay committed to completing their work in a timely manner. My goal is to help students stay on task, and be a reliable source for them to turn to when needed."

She is the mother of her son, Grant, and daughter, Kaylee, and has a young son, Liam, with her significant other, Nate Johnson. Nate has three other kids, Janae, Kaylee Jo, and Tyler.

Walker Carr

Another CHS alumnus, Carr comes into his first job in education as the new high school social studies teacher. He succeeds Karla Michaelson.

He is a 2016 graduate, and attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. The three-time state champion Cardinal wrestler continued in the sport for the Wolves, and was a national NCAA Division II Tournament qualifier in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic ended his chance to compete.

He graduated from NSU that spring, majoring in criminal justice and minoring in accounting and legal studies. Carr later went through law enforcement training (LET) in Pierre, S.D., and worked for police departments in Rapid City, S.D., and Grand Forks before being hired by CPS.

He will also serve as an assistant coach for both the football and wrestling programs.

Walker is married to his wife, Gracie (Page), who works as an RN at Golden Acres Manor, and the two make their home in Carrington with their dog, Jake, and two cats, Stormy and Fitz.

McKenzie Davis

McKenzie Davis is the new East Central Special Education teacher for the junior high grades, moving into Mariah Weber's past role.

Davis is from Fargo, and graduated from Fargo South High School in 2014. She earned degrees in elementary education and special education from Minnesota State University-Moorhead, finishing in 2020.

Previous to Carrington, she worked in the Wahpeton, Midkota and Griggs County Central school districts.

"I hope to make an impact with all kids, especially with emotional and behavioral issues," Davis says. "I just want them to have a safe space and a person to be able to comfort them [with whatever they need]."

She lives with her boyfriend, Levi Willows, in Binford. Her grandparents, Jerry and Connie Iverson, also live in Binford.

Other moves within school district

Several current Carrington Public School teachers and support staff have been shuffled around to new assignments for the 2024-2025 school year.

Michaelson has been hired to the newly-minted Dean of Students position, an expanded role which encompasses her present athletic director duties and adds responsibility for additional student and administrative support, as well as overseeing Student Council.

Weber, who held the special education position now under Davis's watch, will move to the East Central elementary post, assuming Chelsea Aljets's previous job.

Kristy Hewitt is the new elementary physical education teacher, taking over for Greg Hoeckle, who retired from the classroom.

Additional grade level movement will see Tressa VanRay move to third grade from first grade, and Klocke takes over for VanRay in the first grade classroom. Klocke was previously the third grade teacher.