New teachers at RWE

Several new teachers have joined Hot Springs County School District #1 this year.

This week, the Independent Record is featuring the new teachers at Ralph Witters Elementary. Watch for stories on the the new teachers at Thermopolis Middle School and Hot Springs County High School in feature issues.

Jessica Carswell

Joining the team at Ralph Witters Elementary is K-2 Special Education Teacher Jessica Carswell.

Carswell grew up in Thermopolis, and after high school earned her undergraduate degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education from University of Wyoming and her master's in Special Education from the University of Denver.

Her teaching career began in 2007, and she has been teaching in inclusive special education classrooms since 2010.

Carswell said she's always wanted to be a teacher, and remembers playing a teacher with her dolls when she was little.

Her husband Alan and she both grew up in Wyoming and always wanted to return to the state. She's excited to work with the younger students in the district, and already feels the year is off to a great start. She also feels like family among the rest of the staff here in the district. In her free time, she enjoys going to the lake, skiing in winter and reading books.

Kris Mull

Among the new faces at Ralph Witters Elementary this year, Kris Mull will be guiding students through second grade.

Mull graduated from Worland High School in 2012 before attending Northwest College. He then transferred to University of Wyoming, where he earned his bachelor's in Elementary Education in 2017. He also student taught in Sheridan.

Mull got into teaching due to the influence of a couple family members who were teachers, but also because he's always liked helping out others and working with kids. Being in Thermopolis, he feels like he's back home as he has a lot of family and friends in the area, and he enjoys the small town.

As to the school year, he's looking forward to getting to know the students and watching them grow, and growing with them. He's excited to be part of the community and thankful to be here, and looks forward to a great school year.

Tina Rich

Tina Rich will be among the Special Education team at Ralph Witters Elementary this year, assisting students in grades 3 and 4.

Rich graduated from Bear River High School in Tremonton, Utah, then earned her associate's degree from Salt Lake Community College. She went on to earn her bachelor's from Gonzaga University in Special Education with a certification in Elementary Education and a Reading endorsement.

She said she loves working with kids and giving back to the community. The teaching positions, she said, "fill my bucket." Her husband was born in Wyoming, and though the couple moved to different states he always wanted to come back to Wyoming. The diversity and friendliness of the town, she said, made Thermopolis a perfect fit. She's excited for the new school year and working with a staff with the mindset of putting the students first.

Aside from teaching, Rich also make handcrafted soap, which is sold locally.

Caitlyn Sorenson

Among the new staff members in the school district this year is Caitlyn Sorenson.

A 2012 graduate of Rocky Mountain, Sorenson attended the University of Wyoming after high school, earning her bachelor's in Elementary Education in 2017. She will be the Reading and Math Intervention teacher at Ralph Witters Elementary, working with students in small groups at all grade levels.

Sorenson chose to work in Thermopolis because she loves the area and the schools, and she wanted to give back to the community and have something close to home. She enjoys cooking and fishing, and noted the area is a great one to do the latter.

Sorenson looks forward to the start of the school year, working together with the staff and meeting all the new students.