New hires at Breitung Township Schools from left, in front are Marie Harris, Olivia Bloomer, Mackenzie Kanyo, Annika Stohl and Emily Grailer; second row are Abbi Zablocki, Amanda Gaudino, Daunte Fortner, Casey Siegler, Elizabeth Benz and Alyssa Mendini; third row are Mercedes Huotari, Aliyah Garvaglia, Danielle Varda, Melissa Uren, Jamie Momont and Jason Zanoni; fourth row are Hannah Kanyuh, Heather Donaldson, Kyllie Wickman, Brett Shilton and Chris Tafoya; fifth row are Avrie Lindeman, Kaycee Urban, Erin Franz and Sally Po.

KINGSFORD — Breitung Township Schools has announced a number of new hires.

— Elizabeth Benz is teaching science at the middle school. She is a graduate of Northern Michigan University and is beginning her 14th year of teaching. She is grateful to be back “home‚” to teach science and STEM in the same school as her kids and from which she graduated. She and her family enjoy camping, fishing, hiking and biking. They also love traveling, visiting museums and zoos. She is excited to inspire her students to ask questions and become the next generation of problem-solvers.

— Daunte Fortner is teaching physical education at the middle school. Fortner earned his teaching degree from Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis. He and his wife, Mya, recently purchased their first home in Kingsford. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He is excited to build connections with his students, families and community.

— Aliyah Garvaglia is teaching eighth grade language arts at KMS. She graduated from Kingsford High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. She is excited to return to her roots as part of the Flivver team. In her free time, Garvaglia enjoys reading, spending time outdoors and trying new recipes, despite admitting she is a terrible cook.

— Marie Harris is the newest member of the school nursing team, and is a proud graduate of KHS. An RN with 20 years of experience, she is married to Jason Neuens, and together they have four children and three dogs. Harris enjoys camping, mountain biking, reading and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to be working for her alma mater.

— Hannah Kanyuh is the new school counselor at KMS. Before graduating with her master‚Äôs degree in school counseling, she had the opportunity to intern in the counseling department at KHS. Outside of school, Kanyuh enjoys staying active working out, spending time outdoors or cooking up something new in the kitchen. She is a big fan of basketball and is excited to be a Flivver.

— Mackenzie Kanyo is a new health and PE teacher at the high school. She graduated from Cortland College with a degree in PE/health and a concentration in adaptive PE. She also has a bachelor‚Äôs degree in art from Marist College and a masters in fine arts from Boston University. She and her husband are new to the area and enjoy fishing, canoeing and hiking.

— Fawn Polkinghorne is a third grade teacher at Woodland Elementary. She is a 2007 graduate from NMU with an early childhood degree. She initially joined the Woodland Elementary team as an educational assistant. This spring, Polkinghorne completed her teaching certificate through Talent Together and completed her apprenticeship at Woodland. She was born locally and attended Woodland Elementary as a child. She has one son, Oliver, who currently attends KMS. She loves the outdoors, spending time with family, and hanging out with Oliver.

— Brett Shilton is teaching wood shop classes at Breitung Township schools this year. Shilton is originally from Grand Rapids. He graduated from Cedarville University with a bachelors of arts in English and from Northwest Baptist Seminary with a masters of divinity. He spent 20 years pastoring in various churches. He has also worked in plumbing and carpentry. He has a love for the outdoors and working with his hands. His wife, Kim, is also a KHS teacher, and they have six children.

— Casey Siegler, a new seventh grade science teacher at KMS, has a master‚Äôs degree from Marian University and taught middle school math and science for the past four years at Notre Dame of De Pere, Wis. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, running, biking and playing tennis. He loves the outdoors and is excited to help future Flivvers have the same amazing experience he had!

— Chris Tafoya, is a new special education teacher at Kingsford High School. Tafoya has taught civics, language arts, Spanish, and social studies in Arizona, Texas and Michigan since 2000. He recently completed a master‚’s in special education and brings a wealth of experience to KHS. Outside of teaching, he enjoys music, art, golf and karaoke. He and his family have lived in the area since 2014 and are proud to call it home.

— Olivia Bloomer is the new assistant principal at Kingsford High School. Bloomer comes to KHS from Walled Lake Central High School, where she taught vocal and music classes for the past six years. She also served in the capacity of administrative musical producer and program director for the school as well. She and her fiancee, Brady Mashak, have recently moved to the area and are excited to join Flivver Nation.

— Emily Grailer is serving as WCCC director. She is a proud 2010 graduate of Kingsford High School. Grailer completed her post-secondary education at Bay Mills Community College, where she earned an associate degree in early childhood education. She loves spending time with her family, especially her daughter and their new puppy, Bo.

Breitung Township Schools would like to also recognize new staff members in various support roles: Heather Donaldson, educational assistant; Amanda Gaudino, educational assistant, Alyssa Mendini, student teacher; Jamie Momont, KMS secretary; Katy Recla, food service; Liam Shilton, educational assistant; Annika Stohl, student teacher; Melissa Uren, educational assistant; Danielle Varda, educational assistant; Kylie Wickman, behavioral specialist; Abbi Zablocki, educational assistant, Kingsford Middle School Library Media Center; Mercedes Huotari, educational assistant/food service; Jason Zanoni, food service; Avrie Lindeman, food service; Kaycee Urban, food service; Erin Franz, food service; and Sally Po, food service.