MORAN — New USD 256 teacher Halie Luken is no stranger to Marmaton Valley High School. She graduated from MVHS in 2011 and now returns with multiple teaching duties in taking over for former teacher Julie Tholen.
Luken teaches speech, Spanish, yearbook, drama and forensics. She also has the duty of directing the fall play.
Despite returning to southeast Kansas, Luken was unsure of her direction when at Emporia State University. She considered all options.
“When I was in college, I thought maybe I could be teaching at a bigger school,” she said. “But I knew when student teaching at Iola, I wanted to stick in the area.”
When Luken graduated from MVHS, Tholen often joked that she should take her position when she herself retires in the future. While this idea was in the back of her mind, Luken could not find any teacher openings related to theater.
She earned a degree from Emporia State University in speech and theater in secondary education. Luken also worked as a student teacher with Regina Chriestenson at Iola High School to earn her credentials.
After college, Luken spent one year as a substitute teacher in Iola, Moran and Colony school districts, she taught English at Pleasanton high school for the 2016-2017 academic year.
Last year, Tholen informed Luken that she was going to retire and encouraged her to apply for the position. The dream that Tholen had of Luken taking over six years ago became a reality.
“It’s pretty crazy to think that I’ve replaced her and I’m filling in the shoes she had,” Luken said. “She did a lot and now I’m doing a lot. It’s kind of overwhelming because I teach all these different classes, and organize and direct other activities. (In one 30-minute period, for example, she prepared letters to 24 parents about purchasing senior ads, drafted memos for her drama students, met with Allen Community College officials and planned a fundraiser meal for a concession stand she’s overseeing.
Needless to say, Luken’s hands are full.
Tholen taught Spanish and speech while coaching forensics and directed the drama. In addition to those duties, Luken is in charge of the yearbook which includes bringing in sales for MVHS. She is the only foreign language teacher at MVHS.
She has seen several students that she knew as a babysitter or through personal friends. Some of her former classmates are also staff members, as well. Luken said calling former teachers by their first names as opposed to their surnames is taking some adjustment.
Luken is filling the void of a legendary instructor from MVHS and she hopes to ably fill her predecessor’s shoes.
“I just want to make sure that I make the impact that Mrs. Tholen made on me,” Luken said. “Even though some people only do sports, some people only do the plays, you have the capabilities and the skills to do anything that you want and I think just me teaching all these different subjects proves that if you want to do it, you can do it. I want to show these kids that no one can say ‘no’ to you except for yourself.”
Big shoes to fill for new MV teacher
