Staff Update
May 6, 2021 – Staffing Update
Hope families,
Each year we typically have some staffing changes for the following school year. The teaching staff is part of our family here at Hope; while change can be difficult, at the same time we respect that some staff will choose to move on for one reason or another. I have learned to trust that as God is opening a door for current staff to pursue a different opportunity, He will also open the door for others to come join us!
Lisa Meyer teaches our seventh grade homeroom and is our primary middle school language arts teacher. Mrs. Meyer has taught here for five years and also served in multiple roles at Hope prior to that. She and her husband Dave have decided to move to Phoenix, AZ to be closer to their daughter and other family, and to warm up a bit! She has accepted a sixth grade teaching position next year at one of our Lutheran schools in Phoenix.
Lisa Richardson has taught fifth grade at Hope for the past eight years, and has decided to take some time off at the end of the school year, and see what God has planned for her. With her oldest child headed to college, she and her husband and daughter are determining next steps. If they remain in the area, she plans to continue subbing at Hope so we may continue to see her next year in this role.
Both of “the Lisas” are such strong and loved teachers, not just by students and families, but by us as colleagues as well. They have made Hope a stronger school because of their high academic standards and caring hearts. I know many tears will be shed as they make this transition.
In addition, Emily Tanis-Likkel, who teaches electives part-time in middle school, will pursue other opportunities next year. With her youngest son graduating from Hope next month, she feels that it is time to “graduate” as well. Emily has been part of our staff for many years, including formerly as a preschool teacher, and she has been the leader of our mental health awareness program in the upper grades.
Please join us in praying for these 3 much-loved members of our Hope family as they make their transitions in the coming weeks and months. We will publish more information shortly regarding hiring. In the meanwhile, if you know of potential candidates for any of these positions, please encourage them to reach out to us.
Warmly, Mrs. Okabayashi