English teacher
I moved to Hutchinson, Kansas during the 4th grade and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1993. Then, I attended Hutchinson Community College and transferred to Emporia State University where I graduated in 1998. I have since earned two masters: one in Curriculum & Instruction and one in Special Education.
Masters, Special Education WSU 2021
Masters, Curriculum and Instruction, ESU 2014
Bachelor, Secondary Education/English, ESU 1998
Associate, English, HCC, 1995
I attended the Write to Learn Conferences in Osage Beach, Missouri during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years where I learned about different reading and writing techniques.
I have spent many years working in and out of the Burlington school district. For example, I have substituted, worked as a para, and was the Coffey County Learning Academy Facilitator.
From 2018-2021, I taught Special Education at Burlington High School.
Currently, I am teaching English at Burlington High School.
In 2006-2007, I taught Language Arts/English to grades 6-9 in USD 245 LeRoy/Gridley.
From 2014-2018, I taught English to sophomores in USD 257 Iola. I also taught Mythology and Creative Writing.
From 2018-2021, I taught Low-Incidence Special Education at Burlington High School.
I have been married to Nathan Gifford for 25+ years. We have 5 children. Marianne graduated from IHS in 2017 and is married. Daniel is graduated from BHS and is currently serving a mission for our church in Salt Lake City, Utah. We hope that he will be sent to serve in Uruguay, where he was originally called to serve. Gabriel graduated from BHS and is currently preparing to serve a mission for our church. Sarah is a freshman this year, and Joseph is a 5th grader and attends BMS. We enjoy spending time playing games as a family and at our game store, Hornet Games, located at 306 Neosho Street in downtown Burlington.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy reading, writing, watching t.v. and movies, and spending time with my family. I’m not much of an outdoor person, but I love fall, winter, and spring.