Master Teachers

Theresa Basadre: 

Theresa has been teaching for 26 years, 13 years in a Catholic private school and 13 years at Wichita Public Schools. She currently teaches Pre-calculus, Trigonometry, and Algebra 3 (college Algebra) at Heights High School and is a dual credit instructor for Friends University and Newman University. She graduated with a Bachelor in Science in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics, has a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Friends University and 48 hours toward her Master of Arts in Mathematics. She is a doctoral candidate at Baker University studying Educational Leadership. Her passions includes teaching math, traveling with her family and playing tennis.

Carla Breckenridge:

Carla Breckenridge’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Texas Southern University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Wichita State University; and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Newman University. For the past 13 years, she has taught, third, second, and fifth grade students with the Wichita Public Schools. She is currently a fifth grade teacher at Buckner Performing Arts & Science Magnet Elementary School. She has also taught and worked with high school students at Wichita State University’s Upward Bound summer program. Carla finds it gratifying to watch students learn, grow and persevere as they develop into self-confident young people who are able to work through their personal challenges.

Kristine Bruner: 

Kristine has worked in the Wichita Public Schools for 23 years. She teaches 7^th and 8^th grade math at Allison Traditional Magnet. She received her bachelor’s degree from Newman University and master’s degree from Baker University. She has been a part of the Kansas Strong team for 4 years. She teaches Crude Facts and Core Math workshops and enjoys collaborating with teachers from all over the state of Kansas. I have two grown children, a grandson, and a granddaughter.  In my spare time, I enjoy remodeling houses and traveling.

Scott Capes:

Scott currently is a lecturer in the Physical Sciences Department at Emporia State University.  He is a retired public school teacher with 29 years in the classroom teaching chemistry, physics, physical science, earth science, technology education as well as computer science.  His last 15 years of teaching were at Emporia High School.  He has a BSE in chemistry and physics from Emporia State University as well as a Master of Science in Physical Science with an emphasis in chemistry and earth science also from ESU.  Scott currently serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science where he is a past president.  He is also a past president of the Kansas Earth Science Teachers’ Association and a member of the National Science Teachers’ Association.

Nancy Koontz:

Nancy is a third grade school teacher at Earhart Environmental Magnet school. She has been employed by the USD259 school district for 24 years, with 19 of those years teaching at Earhart. In addition to her teaching position, Nancy has been a master teacher for Kansas Strong over the last 10 years and helped co-write the current Drillers curriculum designed for K-2 students.

Marilyn McComber:

Marilyn is a retired science educator with 36 years of experience in public schools in Kansas and Texas.  Teaching assignments included grades 7 through college in the areas of physical science, chemistry, biology environmental science and earth science.  She has additional experience in the Peace Corps in Belize, Central America. Marilyn’s accomplishments included: National Board Certification in Earth Science, Outstanding Earth Science Teacher of the Year, ESU Kansas Master Teacher, NASA Exceptional Teacher, Paul Brandwein Fellow, Kansas Strong Master Teacher, and Kansas Teacher of the Year District Award.

Sharon McDonald: 

Sharon has a BS degree in mathematics from Colorado State University and has taught 7^th – 12^th math courses in public schools in Kansas including college algebra classes for several local junior colleges for 35 years.  An MS degree in physical science from Fort Hays State University enabled her to teach physics, chemistry and physical science for the past 25 years.  She retired 5 years ago but has continued to teach these courses in area schools where the need for teachers in these subjects is always open.  She is a member of the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science (KATS) where she has served on the board for 8 years and been president for 2 years.

Becky Moeder:

Becky has worked in her hometown of Derby for about 20 years, and has been working with Kansas Strong since 2010. She teaches gifted and enrichment services for students in grades K-5, and currently works as a Special Services Coordinator for Derby Public Schools. She has traveled throughout the state, touring neighboring districts, networking and building new relationships as a Kansas Teacher of the Year representative for her district. She serves with a Masters in Special Education from Wichita State University & a Building Leadership Endorsement from Fort Hays State University. She enjoys sharing personal stories and real life events presenting the Kansas Strong materials both to other educators and to students. She states, “I am honored to represent Kansas Strong and am grateful for the opportunity to educate others in an effort to promote the critical role this industry plays. I am thankful for the Kansas Independent Oil and Natural Gas Producers, and the Kansas Oil and Gas Resource Fund for their support, guidance and direction.

Shirley Rose:

Shirley has been with Kansas Strong for a several years now.  Her teaching experience is at the middle school level, with some experience at the elementary and college level.  She currently teachs STEM (K-8), at Christa McAuliffe Academy, a Wichita Public School.  She also teaches a physical science course for pre-service elementary educators at Wichita State University.  She is a former KATS (Kansas Association of Teachers of Science), Executive Board member.  Over the years, she has also given many presentations on various science topics/lessons. Her Bachelor of Arts, Education and my Masters in Education, Administration comes from Wichita State University.  She has been an educator for over 30 years.