New Teachers - Rocky

Heather Pittman

College: Chadron State College and currently Western Governors University

What and where do you teach and/or coach?

Life Skills for Rocky Mountain High School

What is your background? Where are you from? What is your professional experience?

I am a small-town girl from a big family from Chadron, Nebraska. I married a Wyoming boy in the energy field, where I fell in love with Wyoming. Yes, I am a Huskers fan, but because Nebraska and Wyoming are in different divisions, I don’t have to choose; I love both teams. I taught from 2021 to 2025 in rural West Texas at the high school and middle school levels. Last year, I was a para and job coach for the Life Skills classroom. This year, (I’m teaching Life Skills) while working on my Master’s Degree in special education. 

Tell us about your family.

I come from a big family; I have six brothers and two sisters. I was raised to love God, country and family. My parents believed in always being of service in all that you do. I have been married for 20 years, and we have five children whom we call the “Children of the Corn” (Nebraska reference).  We have lived in many different states and have grown as a family.  I love my children, and they are my world.

Why did you get into education as a profession, and what do you like the most about teaching?

After I graduated with my first degree, I wasn’t happy, so I went back to school and finished my teaching degree. I have always loved teaching new skills and watching the excitement children show when they master them. I felt I had something I could give back and help future generations. I am currently working on my Master’s Degree in special education. 

What is your teaching philosophy? How do you get the most out of students and inspire them to learn?

My teaching philosophy is that every student can learn and has something unique to offer. I work to create a safe, supportive classroom where students feel valued but also know they are expected to give their best effort. I inspire students by modeling integrity, setting high expectations and encouraging them to take pride in their work, knowing that success comes from persistence and effort.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

 I am looking forward to getting to know the students and staff and creating an environment where we can grow and learn together. I am excited to continue my journey in the world of education and be of service to all I meet.   

Leandra Rasmussen 

College: Sheridan College

What and where do you teach and/or coach? 

I am a SPED para at Rocky Mountain Elementary.

What is your background? Where are you from? What is your professional experience? 

I have worked in childcare, parent education and supervised visitation and was most recently a community outreach coordinator under the family resource grant in Big Horn County. I am also a Wyoming 211 ambassador.

Tell us about your family. 

My husband and I have two wonderful kiddos, an 8-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy. We have one dog, and three cats.

Why did you get into education as a profession, and what do you like the most about teaching? 

I’ve spent the last few years working in community support and really wanted to get back into direct work with children. My favorite job I ever had was supporting children and families through parent education and supervision. I’m excited to be doing something in the same genre.

What is your teaching philosophy? How do you get the most out of students and inspire them to learn? 

I firmly believe that the best way to support our community is to start with our children. Our children are the future and deserve the best care and education available to them. I am absolutely honored to be a part of that. I also believe that in order to educate someone you have to get to know them as a person and build a connection, which is my favorite part. Kids are so fun to get to know and understand.

What are you most looking forward to this school year? 

Getting to know the students and understand them. I love learning more about kiddos and what makes them unique and special.

Whitney (Hopkins) Newman

College: Southern Utah University

What and where do you teach and/or coach?

I am working as a para-educator in special education at Rocky Mountain Elementary School.

What is your background? Where are you from? What is your professional experience?

I grew up in Las Vegas but just recently moved to Powell from Rock Springs. I have a degree in music education. My original certification was to teach secondary grades 6-12 but was able to add my K-6 music endorsement last year. I previously taught elementary music in Utah for three years, have taught private piano lessons at home for many years and most recently taught fourth-and fifth-grade music and sixth-grade band in Rock Springs. I also spent several years working in the home building industry. I would love to teach music again at some point, but unfortunately those positions are hard to come by so I am just waiting for the opportunity.

Tell us about your family.

I got married this past summer and moved to Powell with my three daughters from my previous marriage. My husband works as chief of police in Manderson. My oldest daughter Addie is a sophomore at Powell High School, Lilly is a seventh grader at Powell Middle School, and Clara is a fourth grader at Westside Elementary. We have a 70-plus acre ranch in Powell with lots of goats, some horses, a couple pigs and our seven dogs.

Why did you get into education as a profession, and what do you like the most about teaching?

I loved participating in school music programs growing up, specifically high school choir. I had a couple of amazing choir teachers, and I really wanted to teach high school choir. I love seeing students engaged and excited about what they are learning.

What is your teaching philosophy? How do you get the most out of students and inspire them to learn?

I believe every student has a great capacity to learn (whether they believe it or not). A teacher’s job is to help inspire and unlock that belief in their students.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

I am looking forward to getting to know the staff and students at Rocky Mountain Elementary and developing positive relationships with them. I am also excited to get a closer look at the ins and outs of special education and how the program works. 

Maria Haire

College: Bachelor’s Degree – Grand Canyon University; Master’s Degree – Lesley University

What and where do you teach and/or coach?

I teach high school special education at Rocky Mountain Middle/High School.

What is your background? Where are you from? What is your professional experience?

I moved to Wyoming in 2005. I worked in Powell and Lovell teaching special education. I moved to California in 2018 for family. I happily returned to Wyoming to teach at RMMHS.

Tell us about your family.

My husband, Jerry Haire, and I have four boys, three daughter-in-laws and 10 grandchildren.

Why did you get into education as a profession, and what do you like the most about teaching?

I got into teaching because I worked in a support role at a high school and felt so fulfilled with my days. I enjoy getting to know my students. I enjoy celebrating their successes.

What is your teaching philosophy? How do you get the most out of students and inspire them to learn?

My teaching philosophy is probably progressivism. I believe all students are unique and have their special talents to share. I build relationships with my students.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

Being back home, teaching high school students, being in a new school environment and all the learning I will get to do this year in my new teacher role.

Beverly Wacaser

College: University of Wyoming

What and where do you teach and/or coach? 

I currently teach fifth grade at Rocky Mountain Elementary School. 

What is your background? Where are you from? What is your professional experience?

I was born and raised in Byron. Both of my parents were teachers, and my dad also coached for 35 years before retiring. Education and coaching were a big part of my childhood, and I grew up seeing firsthand the positive impact teachers and coaches can have on kids. Those experiences played a major role in shaping my own path in education.

After starting a family, I decided to return to school and earn my teaching degree from the University of Wyoming. After graduating, I worked as a substitute teacher and accepted several long-term teaching assignments before moving to Gillette, Wyoming, where I began my teaching career in kindergarten.

From Gillette, our family moved to Billings. I taught kindergarten in Hardin, Montana, before joining Elder Grove School in Billings, where I taught middle school science and several other subjects as needed. During my time at Elder Grove, coaching became an important part of my career. I coached fifth- and sixth-grade boys and girls basketball and volleyball, freshman 2 volleyball at Skyview High School and with the Rimrock Volleyball Club.

In 2022, I moved to Australia. While there, I earned my teaching accreditation and taught for two years. I had the opportunity to teach students from kindergarten through sixth grade, primarily in co-teaching classrooms serving 50 to 60 students. That experience broadened my perspective as an educator and strengthened my ability to work with students of different ages, abilities and learning styles.

After returning to Montana, I taught fourth grade at Elder Grove. In 2026, I decided it was time for a new chapter and accepted a fifth-grade teaching position with Big Horn School District No. 1.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to teach multiple grade levels and subjects while also coaching young athletes. Every experience has helped shape me as both a teacher and a coach. Returning to Wyoming and being closer to the community where I grew up feels like coming home, and I am excited to bring those experiences into my fifth-grade classroom.

Tell us about your family.

Family is one of the most important parts of my life. I have two brothers and three sisters, and I’m also a twin. I have one daughter and three sons.

My daughter, Shealynn, is married to Cade Covington, and together they have three children: Hazel, Harper and Henry.

Our family experienced a heartbreaking loss when we lost Harper to leukemia in February 2024 after a courageous seven-month battle. She was a very special little girl whose life continues to inspire our family every day. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and helping my daughter make Tubie Tape for Bluebird.org, the foundation she created in Harper’s memory to support other families facing similar challenges.

My oldest son, Scott, is a journeyman plumber. Blake, my middle son, is attending school to become an electrician, and Toby, my youngest, will leave for basic training with the Montana National Guard in February before attending the University of Montana.

My family keeps me busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love being a mom, grandma, sister and aunt, and I am incredibly proud of my children and the people they have become.

Why did you get into education as a profession, and what do you like the most about teaching? 

Teaching feels like a natural calling because of the example my parents set. Both were teachers, and my dad also coached for 35 years. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of watching him coach and spending time helping in my mom’s kindergarten classroom after school. Looking back, those experiences planted the seed that eventually led me to become a teacher.

Being the child of a teacher and coach wasn’t always easy. My siblings and I were definitely my dad’s guinea pigs, and he expected more from us than anyone else. While I didn’t always appreciate it at the time, he taught me resilience — the importance of getting back up, working hard, and never giving up.

The most rewarding part of teaching is watching students experience those “light bulb” moments when something finally clicks. Seeing their confidence grow and knowing I have played a small part in helping them believe in themselves is what makes teaching so meaningful.

What is your teaching philosophy? How do you get the most out of students and inspire them to learn?

I believe every student can learn and be successful. They may not all learn in the same way or at the same pace, but every child deserves a teacher who believes in them and helps them discover what they are capable of achieving.

Building strong relationships is the foundation of my classroom. I want my students to know they are valued, supported and capable of success. When students feel safe asking questions, making mistakes and trying again, they are willing to challenge themselves and continue growing.

I believe in setting high expectations while providing the encouragement, guidance and support students need to meet those expectations. Above all, I want every student to leave my classroom believing in themselves and knowing they can accomplish more than they ever imagined.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

This year, I am especially excited to be back in my hometown and to once again be part of the community that helped shape me. It is wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces while building new relationships with my students, their families and my colleagues.

I am looking forward to creating a classroom where every student feels welcomed, challenged and excited to learn. My goal is to help each student grow academically, build confidence and enjoy coming to school each day. If my students leave this year believing in themselves and feeling prepared for the next step in their education, I will consider it a successful year.

*More new teacher profiles will be included in next week’s edition of the Lovell Chronicle.