Royal School District announces new hires for school year

ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District seems to be a popular place for employment this school year. Last week it released a list of numerous new hires for the fall.

Below is the list of new staff members, along with short biographies. The district continues to hire instructional assistants and still had one open teaching position last week.

The list includes several new classified employees and transfers of assignment within the district.

Certificated Staff

• Tawnee Cheney – Red Rock Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher. She comes from Ellensburg, where she received a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Literacy from Central Washington University.
• Jaclyn Marriott – Royal Intermediate School 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher. Jaclyn is from Moses Lake. She received a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California, San Diego and post-baccalaureate teacher preparation from Western Governors University.
• Denise Mirich – Royal Intermediate School 6th Grade Math Teacher. She comes from Boise, ID. She graduated from Eastern Washington University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and went on to graduate from Boise State University with a Master’s of Science degree in Mathematics Education.
• Susan Dretke – Royal Intermediate School 6th Grade Science Teacher. She is from Cashmere and attained a B.A.in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University. She went on to receive post baccalaureate teacher preparation from Central Washington University.
• Jerred Copenhaver – Royal Intermediate School 5th Grade Teacher. He is from Ellensburg and has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration. He went on to receive a Master’s of Science in Elementary Education.
• Patsy Huddleston – Royal Intermediate School Music Teacher. She is from Moses Lake and has a B.A. in Music Education.
• Heather Fitzhugh – Red Rock Elementary 4th Grade Reading Teacher. She is from Othello and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University.
• McKenna Dezihan – Royal Middle School 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher. McKenna is from Puyallup and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and Advertising from Central Washington University. She went on to receive a Masters in Teaching from Whitworth University in Elementary Education and Visual Arts Education.
• Blair Eyre – Royal Middle School 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher. He is from Benton City. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies Composite Education and a Masters in Educational Technology.
• Joe Mirich – Royal Intermediate School 4th Grade Teacher. He is from Boise, ID. He earned his B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Montana and earned his Master’s Degree in Administration Leadership from the University Montana.
• Michelle Moos – Red Rock Elementary 1st Grade Teacher. Michelle is from Ellensburg and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and School Health with an Elementary Education Endorsement from Central Washington University.
• Debra Rees – Royal Intermediate School Media Specialist. She is from Othello. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education with a minor in Theatre Arts from Utah State University. She also has a Masters of Education degree in Instructional Technology with an emphasis in Distance Learning from Utah State University.
• Katrina Werlinger – Royal High School Math Teacher. Katrina is from Royal. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Idaho.
• Karen Lovrovich – Royal High School Spanish Teacher. Karen is from Moses Lake and has a B.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Education from Washington State University. She also holds a Masters of Arts degree in Spanish from Washington State University.

Classified Staff

• Maria Perez – Preschool Instructional Assistant.
• Viridiana Barajas – High School Parapro.
• Marisol Hernandez – Preschool Instructional Assistant.
• Krista Smith – Royal Intermediate School Secretary.
• Susana Villafana – Cook.
• Silvia Juarez – Substitute Cook.
• Christine Grimstead – Special Education Parapro.

Transfers within District

• Sonia Deras – Special Education Secretary.
• Monica Ayala – Red Rock Secretary.
• Scott Sandberg – Royal High School CTE Teacher.
• Chris Palmer – Royal Intermediate School 5th Grade Teacher.
• Veronica Barrett – Royal High School English/Reading Intervention Teacher.