New principal joins Sundance Elementary

The school year begins anew next week and the students of Sundance Elementary School will be in the capable hands of a new head teacher. Robert Wiegel will be joining the campus as the new principal for SES.

"I was born in Wyoming, but spent the majority of my life living in Nebraska. When I was given the opportunity to come to Sundance and wear my favorite colors on a daily basis (red and white), it was a no brainer," Wiegel says.

This will be Wiegel's 13th year in education, he says. He graduated with his bachelors and masters degrees from Chadron State College and spent the first six years of his career coaching and teaching in Nebraska.

"I am married with two children. My wife Kelcy is also a teacher and has followed me on many adventures over our teaching careers," Wiegel says.

"Our son will be in kindergarten this year and our daughter will be attending Sundance Elementary in the next few years." 

The family are keen golfers and enjoy other outdoor activities.

"I am excited to put roots down in Sundance, Wyoming and become a part of this wonderful community," he says.

Joining Wiegel in the building will be three new teachers.

Danielle McKenzie will be the new second grade teacher, coming to SES from Moorcroft Elementary, where she taught second grade last year.

"I am a Black Hills State graduate which, after student teaching in Lusk, led me to a teaching job in Star Valley, WY," she says. 

"I taught in Star Valley at Thayne Elementary for a total of eight years."

A job opportunity for McKenzie's husband brought the couple back to the Black Hills in 2017, where she then spent three years teaching in Newell. 

"I am really looking forward to teaching in Sundance and getting involved in everything this wonderful community has to offer!" she says.

Tiffany Wolfskill has joined SES as the new Early Literacy teacher. Wolfskill has lived in Crook County and worked in two of the communities.

Wolfskill says she is excited to be a part of the Sundance Elementary team. Having taught in most of the elementary grade levels, she enjoys creating opportunities for children to ignite a love of learning. Tiffany is married to Matthew Wolfskill, and they have two sons. 

Brian Roberts is the new sixth grade teacher at SES. A lifelong resident of Wyoming, he was born and raised in Sundance.

Roberts received his bachelors degree from the University of Wyoming and masters degree from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

"This will be my 33rd year of teaching and my 20th teaching sixth grade," he says. "Besides spending time with family and friends, I like to hunt and fish."

Meanwhile, Sundance High School will welcome Ashley Sproul as the new music teacher.

"I am beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to create music with the students of Sundance High School this year," she says.

"I have been lucky enough to call Crook County my home for my entire life. Growing up and graduating from Moorcroft High School, to now having lived in Sundance for the last 7 years, I am fully invested in this wonderful community we call home."

Sproul attended Chadron State College for music education wans was a member of the college's performance/tour choir. She earned her degree from Western Governors University while staying home to raise her children.

"My husband Sean and I have 3 phenomenal daughters who attend school at the elementary and local preschool," she says.

"Music is a universal language that anyone can understand, and I cannot wait to share, learn and teach music with the wonderful students of Sundance."