With summer winding down, it’s time to start gearing up for the new school year. Parents, students, and staff are bound to encounter a few new faces this year, as Harney County School District No. 3 is welcoming a number of new staff members.

Andy Whitehead is joining the district as the technology director. He hails from Blackpool, England and can be found in the schools or hard at work in the district office.

Robert Medley was hired as the new Burns High School (BHS) principal. He moved to Harney County from Scappoose, and his hobbies include camping, spending time with family, and hanging out at the baseball field.

Dan Leonardo of San Pedro, Calif. is joining the district as a computer technician. When he’s not working, Leonardo can be found spending time with his family, camping, and working on home improvement projects.

Tyler Waggoner is joining BHS as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. He hails from Prairie City and is married with three children.

Brittany Waggoner is the new Hines Middle School (HMS) principal. She joins the district from Prairie City and said she enjoys life with her husband and three children, Paxton (7), Kadenee (5), and Grayson (2).

Megan Hunter is the new vice principal at BHS. She grew up in Olympia, Wash., but is a recent transplant from Weiser, Idaho. When she’s not at school, Hunter is likely hiking and camping with her family.

Linda Clark will serve the district as a kitchen aide. She grew up in Tipton, Indiana, and her hobbies include crocheting, reading, and walking.

Kimi Starner is teaching agriculture and electives at HMS. She will also serve as the middle school FFA advisor. Starner grew up in Wallowa County — “the little Switzerland of America.” When she’s not at school, she’s busy camping, fishing, hunting, scrapbooking, knitting, leading 4-H, advising FFA, owning a farm with her five girls, and being a mom.

Adrienne Quigley will teach sophomore and senior English classes at BHS. She grew up on the east coast and moved to Harney County from Suffolk, Va. When she isn’t in the classroom, Quigley can be found hiking, walking her dog, doing yard work, or reading.

Liz Gear of Prosser, Wash. is the new reading specialist at Slater Elementary School. In her spare time, she can be found working on her property with her husband, Jacob; son, Jackson; and daughter, Abigail. They are preparing to build a home there.

Cameron Vranizan is teaching math and other subjects at BHS. He’s from Portland, and his hobbies include playing basketball, reading, making art, dancing, and drawing cats.

Justyne Graham is teaching language arts at HMS. The Bend native said she enjoys online shopping and collecting international editions of Harry Potter books.

Wendy Bull is joining BHS as an academic advisor and physical education teacher. She grew up in Pacific Palisades, Calif., but she’s lived in Harney County for many years. Her hobbies include bike riding, visiting her children and grandchild, riding her Harley, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, visiting hot springs, and working out at Harney County Fitness.

Jazmyn Elliott will be teaching third grade at Slater Elementary. She’s from Chewelah, Wash., and listed reading and playing Bingo as her hobbies.

Alicia Winchester is the new special education teacher at HMS. She grew up in Central Valley, Calif., but moved to Central Oregon in 2009. When she’s not at school, Winchester can be found volunteering, riding horses, hiking, and visiting with family and friends.

Colleen Andersson is teaching electives (home economics, crafts, art, and yearbook) at HMS. She grew up in Dallas, but has lived in Salem for the last 32 years. She is married with two grown children, and her hobbies include gardening, cooking, and baking. She said she especially enjoys preparing meals exclusively using ingredients that she grew in her garden or got from her chickens. C. Andersson is also a musician who has played the oboe in three different community bands and a number of musicals. She is also involved in music ministry at her church.

Eric Andersson is teaching 4th grade at Slater Elementary. He grew up in Eugene, but has lived in Salem for more than 30 years. When he’s not at school, he’s often travel with his wife, Colleen, building things out of wood, or swapping Cummins diesels in 1970s Dodge pickups.