Johnson County Central Schools has six new teachers joining the faculty for the 26-27 school year. Alberto (AJ) Jaramillo will teach grades 4-5 Special Education. Kade Davis will teach 5th Grade. Macully (MJ) Coffey will teach K-3 PE and Middle School Technology. Makenna Eisenbarth will teach 4th Grade. Cheyenne Bishop will teach Instrumental Music. Linda Jaquez will teach Spanish.
Profiles of the new teachers who responded by press time are as follows:
Kade Davis will be teaching fifth grade and will also serve as the Assistant Junior High Boys Basketball Coach, Head Junior High Girls Basketball Coach, and Head Junior High Girls Track Coach.
Davis is a native of Johnson. He graduated from Johnson-Brock High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Ed from Wayne State College. Davis completed his practicums at West Point and Ashland-Greenwood schools and served as a student teacher at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Schools.
“My goals are to positively impact my students and everyone around me. I want to build a unified and positive culture where students are excited to come and learn every day.”
Although Davis hasn’t been in education long, he thinks the most rewarding thing has been when students reach out and let him know they’re going to miss him.
Kade went into the education field because his dad, Brett Davis, was a teacher. “I got to see what it was like being an educator my whole life and I was in a K-12 building so I was able to work with the elementary grades as a high schooler, and I realized I enjoyed being in the classroom,” he added.
According to Davis, every day is different in the field of education. “You get to build relationships with so many different people, and you get to help shape the minds of students, which I think is really important.”
There isn’t any subject that Davis doesn’t like to teach. “I think everything in elementary school can be made enjoyable,” said Davis.
“I have been blessed to have a very close family. I am the middle child, and I have an older brother and a younger sister. My dad was a middle school teacher for 26 years before moving out of the field. My mom is a counselor at Peru State. They have helped me out tremendously on my path.”
Kade loves sports, especially baseball. He also enjoys being outside and going on trips whenever he can. “I really just enjoy spending time with my family and friends,” Davis concluded.
Macully Coffey will be teaching K-3 Physical Education and 6-8 Technology. He will also serve as an Assistance Boys Basketball Coach and Junior High Track Coach.
Coffey is a native of Blue Hill, where he graduated from high school. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Concordia. Coffee completed student teaching at Lincoln East and Ruth Hill Elementary.
“My goals at JCC are to get to know students and staff and create an environment where they feel respected and excited to participate. With the short time I’ve had, the most rewarding experience I’ve had in education so far has been building relationships with students.”
Both of Macully’s parents worked as teachers so he was always in the schools and classrooms. “I got to see the relationships that they made with everyone in the school setting and changing people’s lives at school.”
According to Coffey, getting to build relationships with people and being able to change their lives in different ways is what he finds intriguing about the field of education.
Macully is the youngest child in his family, with two older sisters.
Macully enjoys watching and playing sports and hanging out with family and friends.
Makenna Eisenbarth will be teaching 4th grade reading and science. She is a native of Beatrice. She studied at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During her time there she did practicums at Clinton Elementary, Eagle Elementary, Spring Lake Elementary- Omaha, and Freidstrom Elementary. Eisenbarth was also a Tutor at the Kim and Dick Schmoker Reading Center. Eisenbarth did her student teaching at Freeman Elementary School in 4th grade. Throughout college Eisenbarth was a substitute teacher for Lincoln Public Schools and Freeman Public Schools.
“What I enjoy about education is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students and watch them grow. I love that every student is unique and that I get to help them discover their strengths and find ways to be successful,” said Eisenbarth. “I specifically enjoy being a part of the JCC community where families, teachers, and community members are so connected and supportive.
“My goal as a JCC teacher is to create a classroom where students feel valued, supported, and confident. I want to help students grow academically while also developing independence, responsibility, and the confidence to take on new challenges,” she added.
As a teacher, Eisenbarth hopes to continue growing and learning from students and colleagues. “Most importantly, I want to build strong relationships with students and families, as well as become a positive, involved member of the JCC community.”
Eisenbarth’s most rewarding experience in the educational field has been seeing her students gain confidence in themselves and realize that they are capable of more. “Celebrating the small victories and knowing that I can make a positive difference is so rewarding,” Eisenbarth said.
She went into the education field because she has always loved working with children and this career allows her to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives. “There is something really special about watching a student finally understand a concept and getting the opportunity to share the excitement with them.”
“What intrigues me most about teaching fourth grade is how much students grow during this stage. They are becoming more independent, developing their own interests and personalities, and beginning to think more deeply about the world around them,” Eisenbarth said.
She has one older brother, four nieces, and five nephews, three sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, and a wonderful husband who have all supported and encouraged her. “My family means so much to me, and I am extremely grateful to have such a strong support system in my life,” Eisenbarth said.
When Makenna isn’t teaching, she enjoys, reading, golfing, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Cheyenne Bishop will serve as the Instrumental Music instructor for grades 5-12 and will teach General Music for grades 4-6. Bishop will also be involved in Marching Band and Pep Band.
Bishop is a native of Illinois. She received a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She substitute taught at Lincoln Public Schools.
“Music is my passion, so to be able to light up that passion for the next generation brings me much joy,” said Bishop, whose goals include to build a positive culture in the music program and get lots of students.
So far, Bishop’s only experience in the educational field has been in student teaching.
Bishop said that music in particular is always so interesting because the classes become more than just music. “I not only teach music, I get to teach all kinds of life-skills, like accountability and working as a team. Music prepares you for life.”
Bishop is a member of the National Music Education Association. Her family consists of her parents, a twin sister and dogs. She likes running/hiking, the outdoors and camping.
