From L-R: New teachers Ryan Moss, Katie Sorenson, Brittany Wilke, and Jennifer Bertrand

Students, it’s time to sharpen your pencils and dust off your backpacks, as the new school year is in full swing! If you attend classes within Harney County School District No. 3, you’re bound to see some new faces this year.

New kindergarten teacher Brittany Wilke said she’s looking forward to working and learning with the students at Slater Elementary, and to be a positive role model in their lives.

She grew up in Coos Bay, but has lived in Burns on and off for the past 15 years. Wilke enjoys fishing, hunting, camping, and working with kids.

Dusty Davis will teach third grade at Slater this year. He first came to Harney County when he was 8 years old.

Davis is looking forward to meeting his students at Slater and building a connection with them and their families. In his free time, Davis enjoys mountain biking, downhill skiing, flower gardening, and taking care of his yard.

Slater Elementary School is also welcoming fourth-grade teacher Jennifer Bertrand. She grew up in Crane, then moved around a bit before coming back to Burns. Her hobby is volunteering for her community.

Katie Sorenson is the new seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher at Hines Middle School (HMS). She grew up in Western Washington, but has lived in Idaho for the last 20 years.

Sorenson said she’s looking forward to teaching real-life, hands-on science. She is an avid birdwatcher and naturalist who loves hiking, exploring new areas, and taking pictures of as much wildlife as she can.

Rebecca Hildebrand is another new face at HMS. She is teaching health and online electives and looking forward to being close to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.

She grew up in Eugene and moved to Bend after college. Hildebrand said she’s an “outdoors gal” who likes camping, hiking, boating, and gardening. She also likes to ski in the winter.

Burns High School is welcoming Ryan Moss as the new Spanish teacher. He will also teach one Spanish class at HMS.

A Harney County native, Moss recently moved back to Burns from Lakeview, where he was a teacher and head football coach.

He’s excited to offer students college credit through Eastern Oregon University for Spanish 3 and to start teaching conversational Spanish at the middle school.

Moss said he likes being outdoors, coaching sports, and being with his family.