Dolores Schools hired about 25 educators this year, including two principals and a counselor.
Gary Livick, a former science teacher at Cortez Middle School, is the new principal for Dolores Elementary School. Jenifer Hufman, a former principal in the Steamboat Springs area, is the new principal for the Dolores Middle and High schools.
Superintendent Scott Cooper also hired nine middle school teachers, nine high school teachers, four preschool teachers and a counselor.
"Some are new to teaching, some are returning to teaching," Cooper said. "They are all highly qualified, and bring a lot of energy to the job."
Teachers and students will benefit from a $6 million upgrade on the Dolores campus, including state-of-the-art science labs, a math wing, a new vocational department, new elementary classrooms, and upgraded locker rooms.
In last week's Star, we featured bios of the elementary teachers. This week, we highlight the new preschool and high school teachers.
Wednesday was the first day of school in Dolores, so watch out for students getting to class and walking around town for lunch.
High school teachers
Front row
Brian Kelley
Is from Dolores and went to Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education and humanities. He will be teaching high school math and loves biking and music.
Devon Lane
Is from Dove Creek, originally, and most recently lived in Brush, Colo., where he worked as a District Wildlife manager for eight years. He has a degree in environmental biology from Fort Lewis College and will be co-teaching science with Mr. Hopcia. He loves outdoor activities and agriculture, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and son.
Karen Ragland
Is from Dolores and has been teaching for 19 years. She went to school at Southern Illinois University, San Juan Vo-Tech, and Fort Lewis College. She will be teaching middle school math and loves to hike, garden knit and crochet in her free time.
Kady Meyer
Is from Cortez and graduated from Colorado State University. She completed her student teaching in Ignacio and also taught for 1½ years in Crowley County. At Dolores, she will be the agriculture teacher and FFA adviser. Her hobbies are hunting, horseback riding, and 4-wheeling.
Ryan Hoover
Is from Liner, Mich., and has five years of teaching experience. He has a bachelor's degree in English and history from the University of Michigan. He will be teaching seventh-grade grade English and loves coaching baseball and hockey. He played semi-pro hockey and college baseball, and is married with two children.
Back row
Rob Melloti
He is from the Four Corners area and received a bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College. He has been teaching 37 years and will be a math teacher for Dolores. He is married and loves to ride motorcycles and hunt.
John McHenry
Is from Dolores, and got a degree from Adams State College. He has seven years teaching experience and will be a special education instructor. His hobbies are coaching basketball and spending time with his wife and four children.
Forrest B. Grosh
Is from Lancaster, Pa., and has a degree in exercise science from Colorado State University. He will teach physical education at the middle school and high school, and be the assistant football coach. His hobbies include hiking, kayaking, the NFL, climbing 14ers, skiing, and live music. He is single.
Ian Lennox
Is from Durango and has a bachelor's degree from Colorado State University. He is pursuing his master's in counseling at Adams State University, and will be the school counselor. He is married and loves rafting mountain biking, fishing, and bluegrass guitar.
Jim Mimiaga
