Going on her 16th year of teaching, Heather Kauk wants to focus on becoming a better teacher and improving.

She was inspired to join this profession her senior year of high school by her teachers Mrs. Katstra and Mrs. Weir.

Kauk received her bachelors degree from Kansas State University and her masters from Baker University. She taught at Eudora High School, then Prairie View High School.

While at these schools, she was a ninth grade class sponsor, yearbook adviser and theater director.

Kauk said the high school is bigger and more convenient for her that traveling to Eudora and Prairie View.

She said she enjoys living close to the high school and having her four kids in the school district. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing on her blog.

“I’m very excited to be here and sometimes it doesn’t hit me that I’m working here,” Kauk said.

Brandon Ohlmeier, 10, said Kauk makes the English class fun and he enjoys the class.

“She just explains everything very well,” Ohlmeier said. “She makes it personal for you and is sure that you know what’s going on in class.”

Kauk also said Paola and the high school feel like home. She said she wished to accomplish her goals of being a better teacher as the year goes on and to teach her students to learn something good about life.

Principal Phil Bressler has been happy with the new additions to the high school.

“I’m thrilled with all our teachers; six new and good additions to our team this year,” Phil Bressler, principal, said.