August 7, 2026 – We're excited to welcome 17 new teachers to our Bulldog family this school year! Our newest educators kicked off the year with five days of professional learning, covering everything from lesson planning and classroom management to special education, technology, and school communications. Carey Knipfel, Lara Brunk, and Wendy Lentz, district instructional coaches, helped our new staff with a strong start!

Teachers also toured our schools by bus with Superintendent Troy Lentz and Assistant Superintendent Julie Lower-Welch, visiting district and community buildings and learning about the community partnerships that support our schools. They wrapped up the experience with a downtown Mexico small-business scavenger hunt, ending at the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meet & Greet, where they connected with district and community leaders.

While we're excited to welcome these 17 educators, we're equally grateful for the hundreds of returning teachers and support staff who continue investing their talents in our students every day. Their commitment creates consistency, strengthens our schools, and helps every child begin the year surrounded by caring adults who know them well.

This year's small number of new teaching positions is a reflection of something worth celebrating: teacher retention. Retention doesn't happen by accident. It reflects a culture where people feel supported, valued, and connected to a shared purpose. It speaks to the work of principals who invest in their staff, district leaders who prioritize people, and teammates who make our schools places where others want to stay.

We're proud to welcome our newest Bulldogs while celebrating the dedicated educators who continue choosing Mexico Public Schools year after year.

We are Mexico!

McMillan:

• Barb Lowry

Eugene Field:

• Taylor Demint
• Ally Wilson (not pictured)
• Megan Clubb

Hawthorne:

• Stacy Vines
• Katie Harris (not pictured)
• Allante Prince
• Brooke Everston
• Theresa Farnell

Mexico High School

• Philip Guidry
• Leslie Dickherber
• Kelvin Polk

Hart Career Center

• Amy Hilderman

Special Education:

• Christine Dawson
• Lindsey Mitchell
• Meghan Weidel