Meet the teachers

Weston County School 
District #1
Dave Christiansen
Family: Mark Christiansen, father; Lisa Christiansen, mother; Merritt Crabtree, brother
Education: Black Hills State University, Degree in Physical Education, Health and Coaching
Position hired for: Elementary Physical Education
Hobbies/Interests: Anything outdoors or sport related. Hobbies include beating Mr. Allen Von Eye in this years booster club golf tournament. 
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
I graduated from Newcastle in 2013, and this community has always felt like home. I am very excited for this school year, and ready for students to get back. 
 
Hannah Cummings
Family: Tyler Cummings, husband; Kane and Lochryn Cummings, son and daughter
Education: BS Physical Education, M.Ed.K-12 Special Education
Position hired for: K-1 Special Education
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, archery, swimming/diving, cooking, remodeling homes
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
I grew up in Newcastle where my parents both taught and have always loved the area and school district. I am nervous but excited about the upcoming year. I think we as new teachers have a lot of obstacles to overcome but I also believe we will have more freedom for creativity and the opportunity to develop out-of-the-box teaching. 
 
Natasha Hebbring
Family: Married to Cody Hebbring and expecting our first child in November of 2020. Three dogs, Maya, Sammy and Phoenix
Education: Graduated Newcastle High School 2008, Eastern Wyoming College: Associate’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies 2013, Valley City State University: Bachelor’s of Elementary Education 2019
Position hired for: 5th Grade
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, reading, spending time with family, and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
I am very excited to start my career in my hometown and at Weston County School District No. 1, where I have worked as a paraprofessional for six plus years and at the Double AAces for several years prior. I enjoy the people and kids I have worked with and being somewhere else would not be as close to my heart. This district has great values and does what is best for kids! I was raised as a Dogie and want my daughter raised here, too. I wish the health circumstances were different and there weren’t as many unknowns for the upcoming year, but I look forward to starting school and trying to have as normal of a year as possible. I will put forth my best effort in order to make this year and year to come a success. 
 
Amber Murphy
Family: Cory, husband; Owen, 17, senior in high school; Delaney 20-year-old junior at the University of NE at Omaha; Conner, 21, electrician apprentice with Miller Electric in Omaha, Neb. 
Education: Bachelor’s Degree from Doane University, Master of Art in Education from the college of Saint Mary, Master of Science from the University of NE at Omaha
Position hired for: 2nd grade
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, hiking, crafts and bargain shopping
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
My husband and I grew up in small town western Nebraska. We moved to Omaha after college and lived there for 20 years. In 2019, we decided we need a change of pace and scenery! We vacationed in the Black Hills frequently and decided this area is where we wanted to put down roots. We absolutely love the community and look forward to being here for many years!
I am so excited to be teaching at Newcastle Elementary this year. It may not be a typical year, but I am excited, nonetheless. The staff here is amazing, and they have taken great care of me as I learn the ropes at NES! I am eagerly awaiting being in a classroom with students again. I know I am going to be happy here for years to come!
 
Jenny Pederson
Family: Mike, husband; Sydney and Kaia, daughters
Education: Master’s degree in professional school counseling from Concordia University Wisconsin. Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Dakota, Graduated from Newcastle High School
Position hired for: District School Counselor
Hobbies/Interests: coaching, hiking, camping, sports
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
It’s so good to be home! I am excited to be moving back to Newcastle and share my passion for supporting and guiding others with the students, staff and community. Not only am I excited to help them navigate life’s challenges, but to help them create passionate purposeful lives. Now more than ever our students need guidance and support to help get them through these crazy times. I don’t have all of the answers, but I have an open ear and heart, and some pretty cool ideas to get through life’s challenges. 
 
Jill Pischke
Family: My husband Brian is an engineer at Wyoming Refining and I have one daughter, Josyln, who is going into the fifth grade. 
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Agriculture Business, Minor in Equine Management, Master of Science in Secondary Education
Position hired for: Agriculture Education/FFA Advisor
Hobbies/Interests: I always enjoy time with my family camping and fishing, but my passion is horses. I competed many years showing horses and rodeoing and now I love sharing that passion with my daughter. 
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
I was raised on the family ranch here in Newcastle and have always called it home. I love the small community and the people in it. Agriculture has always been a part of my life and I look forward to bringing my experience and knowledge to the classroom. As I look towards this coming year, I understand it will be challenging for students with all the unknowns, so I hope that I can help equip students with some life skills that will benefit them well beyond their high school years, while also equipping them with knowledge and tools that are relevant in today’s agriculture industry. 
 
Maggie Unterseher
Family: Travis Unterseher, husband; Charlotte, 9.5-month-old daughter
Education: University of Wyoming, BS Political Science and Black Hills State University, MS Secondary Education and K-12 Library Media Endorsement
Position hired for: High School Librarian
Hobbies/Interests: Obviously, I love reading! Other than that, hiking, fishing or traveling with my family and our huskies
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
Travis and I were born and raised in Newcastle. We moved to Gillette for the last five years to teach and it was great, but when things opened up for both of us here, we knew that it was a God moment and decided to move back! I truly hope to make a difference for our students, no matter how that looks! 
 
Travis W. Unterseher
Family: Maggie (Stubbs) Unterseher, wife; daughter, Charlotte Unterseher
Education: B.S. K-12 Special Education
Position hired for: High School Special Education/Vocational-Transitional Teacher
Hobbies/Interests: Fishing, hiking, biking, art, music and sports
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
Newcastle was my choice because I want to work with older students and help them with their post school lives. Newcastle is my hometown where I graduated from Newcastle High School in 2002. I have always loved the area and am happy to be back in Newcastle and be able to give back some of what I received in and from Newcastle. 
This upcoming year and the present time has a lot of unknowns to take into consideration. Myself and the rest of the staff and Weston County School District No. 1 are taking these unknowns head-on and are getting ready for the upcoming school year with the best possible plans with the many changing and challenging factors in mind. I can’t wait to meet and start working with all the students and the parents/guardians this coming school year. 
 
Ruthann Wheeler
Family: Husband, Jason Wheeler
Education: Bachelor of Science in mathematics education with a minor in computer science teaching
Position hired for: High school mathematics
Hobbies/Interests: I love watching and supporting my children in their activities, as well as playing the piano. 
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
My family moved to Newcastle last year and we love it here. The area is beautiful and the people have been very welcoming to our family. I am very excited to jump into school this year! Things are different this year, but I think we can all work together to have a great school year and keep everyone safe. 
 
Weston County School 
District #7
Miss Bridget Otto
Family: hound dog and cat
Education: Central Wyoming College, University of Wyoming
Position hired for: Art Teacher
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
I am excited to start my teaching career and to get to know my students. 
 
Valerie Samuelson
Family: Married to Dave; mother to Davina (Will) McCain, Joe (Darian) Samuelson, Justin (Rosie) Samuelson, and Chet Samuelson; Grammy to four grandsons, Trey, Asa, Jordan and Jack with a new grand baby on the way
Education: BHSU Elementary Teaching Degree
Position hired for: K-5 Music Teacher
Hobbies/Interests: Family, traveling, reading and gardening
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
I love children and I love music… here was an opportunity to combine both and in an awesome community 
 
Alyssa Jackson
Family: Husband, Chase Jackson;  children, Lilly, Colt, Sadie and Eva
Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Position hired for: 4th grade teacher
Hobbies/Interests: Running, camping, hunting, following my kids in their activities
Why Newcastle and what are your thoughts about the upcoming year? 
I am so excited to be a part of Weston County School District No. 7. The staff has been so welcoming, I can’t wait to get this school year started!