Meet The Newcastle Teachers
Alondra Diana Munoz
Family: Parents, Adela & Jose Munoz; sisters, Cassandra Munoz, Kayley Munoz, Myreli Munoz, Vianney Munoz
Education: I graduated from Newcastle High School in 2014 with a High School Diploma and an Associate’s Degree from Eastern Wyoming College. From there I moved on to Chadron State College to pursue a teaching degree and graduated in December of 2017.
What were you hired to teach? I was hired to teach third grade in 2018.
What are you favorite hobbies or activities? My hobbies include spending time with my family, traveling, and listening to music.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? I chose Newcastle because I was born and raised here. I am super excited about another year of teaching and learning with all the kiddos. I feel well prepared and I already know it’s going to be a great year!
*Note: Alondra Munoz started teaching at Newcastle Elementary School in 2018.
Amanda Finley
Family: Loving husband, Dusty; children, Hunter is in second grade and Samantha is in first grade.
Education: Graduated from BHSU in 2006 with a Bachelor in Science Degree, Majoring in Elementary Education, Minor in Early Childhood with a Kindergarten Endorsement
What were you hired to teach? I was hired to teach kindergarten at Newcastle Elementary School.
What are your favorite hobbies or activities? As a family, we love to hunt, fish, camp, travel, and games. I also enjoy baking, crafting, and reading.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? I am very excited and blessed to be teaching at Newcastle Elementary School. NES has been welcoming and I can’t wait to continue to grow professionally with my colleagues. My family has enjoyed the last thirteen years in Newcastle and plan continue to support our community.
Amber Orban
Family: Married to Jacob Orban; three children, Kadence, 6, Heath, 4, and Barrett, 2
Education: BA from Black Hills State University in K-6 Elementary Ed and K-12 Special Education
What were you hired to teach? 5th Grade
What are your favorite hobbies or activities? Hunting, fishing, reading, watching movies, baking, and anything I can do with my family.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? We moved to Newcastle last year as my husband was hired as the WYDOT mechanic. I think that the Newcastle school district is a great place and they genuinely care about the all of their students. I am looking forward to growing as a teacher, learning and building relationships with staff and students, and starting my career as a teacher.
Clinton Colgrove
Family: Bessie Colgrove (spouse), Lincoln Colgrove, Eowyn “Winnie” Colgrove, and another on the way in December.
Education: York College: BA – Biology, BA – History; Montana State University: MEd – Curriculum & Instruction, MA – History (emphasis in History of Science), PhD – History (expected May 2020, emphasis in History of Science)
What were you hired to teach? 7th & 8th Grade Science – Newcastle Middle School
What are your favorite hobbies or activities? Board games, reading, and traveling
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? I taught here over a decade ago and missed teaching middle school students. Plus, we have family in the area.
As for the upcoming year, I foresee many opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. My students and I will be working through some changes to the curriculum and the integration of new forms of technology as I help prepare them for the high school.
Devin Dickey
Family: Wife, Elyse; son, Grayson
Education: Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education from Black Hills State University
What were you hired to teach? 5th Grade
What are your favorite hobbies or activities? Watching sports and spending time with my family.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? My wife and I grew up in Newcastle and wanted to come home to be around family and I think we are going to have a great upcoming year.
Elyse Dickey
Family: Husband, Devin Dickey; son, Grayson Dickey
Education: I graduated from Black Hills State University with a double major in Special Education and Elementary Education as well as a minor in Middle School Education.
What were you hired to teach? I was hired to teach Middle School Special Education.
What are your favorite hobbies or activities? I like to spend my free time with my family traveling around the hills, crafting, and reading.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? I grew up here and have always thought it was a great place to raise a family. Once a Dogie, always a Dogie, right?!?! I am very excited about this upcoming year to work with these kiddos and help them succeed in whatever they want to pursue in life.
Eric Lee Hansen
Family: I believe I still have two sisters living somewhere east of the Missouri River.
Education: Yes, everyone should have at least one.
What were you hired to teach? High school math — specifically Algebra I and Geometry.
What are your favorite hobbies or activities? I enjoy writing, film, photography, shooting, driving, and have recently been working on developing a mountain man persona for rendezvous events.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? I was raised in the country outside of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and my preference has always been to live and work in smaller communities. I like to think that I try to approach new experiences and challenges with an open mind, and I’ve already had a number of positive encounters with members of the community. Sometimes there is more strength in the quality of numbers than in their quantity.
Jason Wheeler
Family: Wife, Ruthann Wheeler; daughters, Dakotta, Aria, and Hazel; sons, Tayson, and Ayden
Education: Bachelors degree from Brigham Young University in Technology Teacher Education with Emphasis in Woods and Graphics Design; masters degree from University of Wyoming in Educational Administration
What were you hired to teach? I will be teaching the high school Woods classes.
What are your favorite hobbies or activities? I enjoy hiking, fishing, and boating, as well as spending time with my family.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year? My family and I decided to come to Newcastle because of the great opportunities we felt were offered here. It was a place big enough to offer a lot of different sports and activities, but small enough to provide that home town feel. I was also really impressed by the quality of the Woods program and projects which were being made.
I am very excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to continuing the tradition of quality woods projects for our students.
Nate Smith
Family: Wife, Jennifer; kids, Josie and Callan
Education: Associate’s degree from Eastern Wyoming College, bachelors degree from Chadron State College
What were you hired to teach? Middle school math
What are your favorite hobbies and activities? Hunting, fishing, music and horses. I enjoy helping my kids with their 4-H projects and practicing rodeo events.
Why Newcastle and what do you think about the upcoming year?
Newcastle is home. My kids attend Newcastle Elementary School; there would be no place else for me to teach. After being away from the school for awhile, it will be good to work with kids once again.