Campus welcomes new teachers

Moorcroft's elementary and high schools will welcome numerous members of staff this year, including five at the senior level and seven for the younger students.

Moorcroft Elementary School

Cyndi Axe

"I am from San Bernardino, CA. I earned my masters degree in teaching from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA.

"This is my 23rd year teaching, with most of my experience being in early childhood education (pre-k, TK, kindergarten and second grade.) I love working with littles!

"I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 32 years and we have two adult sons. We moved to Moorcroft this summer in order to be closer to them after they both moved to Montana.

"I attended the same church for 40 years and was a very active member there. It is the only that I miss from California! I am really enjoying Wyoming and I have received a very warm welcome from everyone whom I have encountered!"

Megan Koens

"This is my second year teaching, but first year teaching with my fiancé, Thomas. I attended Black Hills State University, where I got my elementary education degree. I enjoy kayaking, fishing, shopping, reading and cooking. I am very excited for everything this year will bring at Moorcroft Elementary!"

Kara Cooke

"I am originally from Sheridan, but now I live in Beulah with my husband, John, who is retired military. We have four wonderful kids together.

"I like to go four-wheeling with the family. I also enjoy baking custom cakes for my family. The last cake I was a Harry Potter and an excavator!

"I taught fourth grade in Shoshoni as well as third and fourth grades in Gillette. I am excited to work in this school district after seeing such awesome teachers work with my children! We have such talented educators! Go Wolves!"

Samantha Rogers

"I live in Spearfish, SD with my boyfriend, Tyler, step daughter Elliotte, who is seven and our two dogs, Loki and Rhania. I am originally from Oklahoma, where I lived until I was eight, then we moved to North Dakota.

"I graduated from Black Hills State University in the Spring of 2023 with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education. Being a teacher wasn't something I always wanted to do, but found my passion for it through being a long-term substitute, coaching competitive cheer and dance as well as being a paraprofessional.

"Some of my favorite things are Dr. Pepper, AirHeads, the color pink, animals, outdoors, motorcycles and time with my family!"

Julie Crago

"This is my 16th year teaching. Prior to working for Crook County School District, I taught kindergarten in Gillette for eight years.

"I taught in Laramie, WY as a kindergarten and an Early Childhood Special Education teacher for seven years prior to moving to Gillette.

"I grew up in Big Horn, WY, where I attended K-12. After high school, I attended the University of Wyoming.

"In Laramie, I met my husband and we have three children, who are all grown up, and a golden retriever named Athena. We also have a mini horse and three mini donkeys.

"When I am not at school, you can find me reading, gardening, cooking and crafting. I can't wait to continue my teaching career at Moorcroft Elementary! Go Wolves!" 

Valerie Kuenzel

"I graduated from Sundance High School and have lived in Moorcroft for the last five years. I have worked with children in education for the last four years.

"I enjoy paint pouring, coloring and being with my family. I am extremely excited to work and watch these children in the Moorcroft Elementary learn, grow and evolve into their own persons!"

Moriah Zurbuchen

"I'm a graduate from Moorcroft High School. I grew up in Pennsylvania until I was 16, when my dad became employed in Wyoming, so my family moved out here and I wouldn't change it for the world.

"I met my husband in high school and we've been together for 13 years and have two beautiful girls who also attend school here. Any time spent with my family is time that I cherish and enjoy. I hope in working here to create great new relationships with the staff and kiddos in the years to come!" 

Moorcroft High School

Nikki Milledge

"I will be teaching Biology at Moorcroft Secondary School. I grew up in Hulett. I spent the last ten years teaching high school sciences at Bennett County High School in Martin, SD. I am very excited to be back in my home area. I would like to install a love of science and education in my students. Hopefully I will meet my future favorite scientist while I am here in one of the students I teach.

Megan Lovitt

"I am teaching Industrial Arts (Woodshop and Agriculture) this year. I grew up on a ranch outside of Douglas, WY and went to the University of Wyoming. I graduated with a degree in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, but after working for the Forest Service for a couple years, decided that what I really wanted to do was teach.

"I worked last year teaching at a private school in Spearfish, SD part time and subbing for Crook County Schools on my off days. It was this experience that introduced me to the wonderful students of Moorcroft and encouraged me to go back to school (this time online through the University of Wyoming) to pursue my teaching certificate. 

"I am so excited to be a part of the team and cannot wait to assist in the growth and success of the students. My biggest goal is to be able to look back at this time and know that what I'm teaching now made a difference. I am excited to share my passion and see where this road takes me. Go Wolves!"

Jason Doty

Jason Doty will be teaching seventh and eighth grade Social Studies at Moorcroft Secondary School. This summer, he moved to Pine Haven with his wife, Amy, and their two dogs from Havre, MT.

He hails from a family that homesteaded in the Big Horn County area of Wyoming during the early years of statehood. He is looking forward to sharing his interest in our state's history with his students. 

This is Mr. Doty's fourth year of teaching. He was a sixth-grade resource teacher at Cody Middle School before transferring to teach Social Studies at Havre Middle School. He has a passion for fishing, boating, golf, motorsports and being outdoors.

He looks forward to enjoying the wonders that Northeast Wyoming has to offer. He also loves to work on small engines, motorcycles, ATVs and also repairing and modifying a variety of four-wheel drive vehicles.

Amy Doty

Amy Doty will be teaching seventh and eighth grade Science at Moorcroft Secondary School. Her husband, Jason and their two dogs moved from Havre, MT. 

She grew up on her family's farm/ranch north of Havre. Most of her family still lives in the area of Montana known as the Hi-Line. 

She lived her early life in Wyoming, having ties to Rock Springs and Glenrock and is excited to return to this great state as a resident. The couple is excited to become a part of the Pine Haven and Moorcroft communities.

This is Mrs. Doty's 12th year of teaching. She taught third grade before transferring to teach Science at Havre Middle School. She likes to embody the likeness of the fictional Ms. Frizzle (Magic School Bus), often wearing science-themed fashion. 

She has yet to find an actual vehicle that can transport her and her students to the far reaches of the solar system or shrink them all to the size of a human cell. If you know where she might find one, please contact her through the school office.

Heidi Fiechtner

"I'm coming to Moorcroft Secondary with seven years of school counseling experience. I spent my first six years in North Dakota, where I grew up.

"I moved to Colorado in 2021 to work in a high school in the Denver area. After that, I took a year off to live and work in Yellowstone National Park, but I missed being a school counselor.

"I love the Wyoming area, so when I started looking for positions, I found a couple openings and applied. I was thrilled to be offered a position with Moorcroft Secondary and I am really enjoying getting to know the staff, students and community. 

"I grew up and lived most of my life in Fargo, ND. I attended college at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, ND, where I earned my Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology and played collegiate basketball. I attended Minnesota State University-Moorhead for my graduate degree and earned my MSc in Counseling and Student Affairs, emphasis in school counseling. 

"I'm an avid sports fan following a variety of sports. I am a huge Minnesota Vikings fan and follow North Dakota State athletics as well. You'll probably catch me at quite a few sporting events in Moorcroft as I love supporting students in their extracurriculars."