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Jaye Ditter

JDitter@smokyhill.org

 @JayeDitter

Jaye Ditter started working with education service centers in 2000 and has worked at Smoky Hill ESC since 2005 as an Education Consultant. Working from the Hays location, Ditter provides PDC training, coordinates Teacher Safari, Safari Adventure and Expo programs and the Smoky Hill Education Foundation Golf Tournament each year. She is a 21^st Century CCLC grant evaluator and a facilitator for the Smoky Hill ESC crisis intervention team and the Smoky Hill Adventure Program.

Jolene Goodheart Peterson

jgoodheartpeterson@smokyhill.org

Pam Kraus

pkraus@smokyhill.org

Pam has over 20 years of experience as a classroom science teacher, teaching chemistry and physical science at St. John’s Military School and Salina Central High School in Salina, Kansas. As the CTE Coordinator and STEM Consultant at Smoky Hill Education Service Center she provides CTE services and administers the Perkins grant for 42 districts and provides professional development for STEM teachers. Pam is also a space enthusiast and has participated in and presented at workshops at Johnson Space Center, US Space and Rocket Center, Cape Canaveral/Patrick AF Base and the Cosmosphere. Pam is passionate about sharing strategies to create motivation and interest to improve learning in STEM fields.

Noalee McDonald-Augustine

NMcDonald@smokyhill.org

 @nmcdonaldSHESC

Noalee McDonald-Augustine is in her 22nd year as an Educational Consultant, specializing in School Culture, Social-Emotional Learning, Character Education, Bullying, Classroom Management, and Poverty. She was co-chair of the Kansas Social, Emotional, and Character Development (SECD) standards writing team and co-chair of the SECD revisions team. She also manages the Smoky Hill Low and High Ropes Adventure Program. Noalee has a BA in Mathematics, a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice, and her master’s work is in Physical Education with an emphasis in Adapted Populations.

Robin Anderson

randerson@smokyhill.org

Robin Anderson started as an educational consultant for Smoky Hill ESC in 2023, and she has over 25 years of education experience.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University. She has experience planning and teaching math and reading interventions and K-6 classrooms in various combinations.  She has the background to provide Building and District level support in large or small district settings.  Her work as a building-level coach, support of the KS LiNK grant, implementation of the MTSS processes, and LETRS Facilitator gives her a well-rounded approach to many facets of the educational system.

Robin believes we are all lifelong learners and enjoys helping others explore their growth.

Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short

lgerzel-short@smokyhill.org 

Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short is the Assistant Director at Smoky Hill Education Service Center. 

Dr. Gerzel-Short joins us from Northern Illinois University, where she has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience in education.  Special education, teacher preparation, mentoring, and coaching, and high-quality instructional practices are just a few of her areas of expertise.  Her background and experiences will be invaluable as we continue to support Kansas schools and educators.

Lydia is eager to meet everyone and begin contributing to our mission of fostering educational excellence across Kansas.  Her passion for education is infectious, and her dedication to student success makes her a valuable member of our team.

Please reach out and introduce yourself to Lydia.  We are excited about the contributions she will make to our service center and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our schools.