PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Jessica Kanta – Principal | jessica.kanta@k12.sd.us
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Sarah Scherer – Assistant Principal | sarah.scherer@k12.sd.us
REGISTRAR
Mrs. Samantha Wentworth – Registrar | samantha.wentworth@k12.sd.us
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
Mrs. Rhonda Lipp – Secretary to the Principal | rhonda.lipp@k12.sd.us
Ms. Tana Karn – Truancy Secretary | tana.karn@k12.sd.us
Ms. Julie Bybee – Attendance Secretary | julie.bybee@k12.sd.us
Ms. Renea Dadah – Records Secretary | renea.dadah@k12.sd.us
SECURITY
Officer Garrett Loen –-RCPD Liaison Officer | garrett.loen@k12.sd.us
Lori Fippin – Security officer | lori.fippin@k12.sd.us
Eric Madill – Security officer | eric.madill@k12.sd.us
STAFF
Mrs. Amber Adams – EP/HSP Refocus Room | amber.adams@k12.sd.us
Ms. Karen Albers – Homebound | karen.albers@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Allie Bedford – EP/HSP Art | allie.bedford@k12.sd.us
Mr. Chad Bento – HSP English | chad.bento@k12.sd.us
Mr. Sean Binder – EP Internship Coordinator | sean.binder@k12.sd.us
Finally devoting myself fully to what has been a lifelong passion for teaching and youth services, I joined the Rapid City High School team in 2018. I recently moved back to the beautiful Black Hills or South Dakota from Denver, Colorado where I worked in both the public and private sectors around youth services. I also have experience in non-profit management, public speaking, emergency medicine, outdoor education, juvenile diversion, and am a certified scuba diver. This breadth of experience with many more professional experiences has joined nicely with the Youth Internship course and work-based learning programs. Rapid City Alternative Academy is an amazing school that truly focus on the whole student. I am thankful every day for the incredible students and amazing staff.
Mr. Kraig Blomme – EP Computer Applications | kraig.blomme@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Becky Cole – HSP Math | becky.cole@k12.sd.us
Ms. Olivia Comes – HSP Science | olivia.comes@k12.sd.us
Mr. Kevin Dorsman – EP English Teacher | kevin.dorsman@k12.sd.us
The year was 1999 and my aunt and uncle patiently awaited my name to be called and watch me accept my diploma from Black Hills State University. I received my BS in Education and majored in Fine Art and English. Although my intentions were good, I had forgotten to inform my relatives that I had won an all-expense paid vacation, over my graduation date, to Cozumel, Mexico. Needless to say, later that evening, I had a confused and worried voicemail from my aunt as to why I was not at my graduation. That voice mail cost me nearly $5 in international roaming fees. From that day on, I was acutely aware of covering all my bases.
Prior to joining the staff at Rapid City Alternative Academy, I traveled, played music across the United States and had a career in management that spanned nearly 15 years and ranged from retail to financial services. I had always gravitated toward staff development roles and felt the desire to pursue my own classroom. Today I can be found tucked away on the fourth floor, blissfully reading, writing, correcting papers and listening to music.
Ms. Merissa Gehm – Nurse | merissa.gehm@k12.sd.us
Ms. Kara Halverson – EP Social Studies | kara.halverson@k12.sd.us
Mr. Michael Herren – EP Science | michael.herren@k12.sd.us
Ms. Halli Kavanaugh – GED | halli.kavanaugh@k12.sd.us
Ms. Mary Lager – EP Science | mary.lager@k12.sd.us
Ms. Leslie Lowe – SPED Teacher | leslie.lowe@k12.sd.us
Ms. Heather Maier – EP Counselor | heather.maier@k12.sd.us
Ms. Marsico – EP/HSP PE | karisa.marsico@k12.sd.us
Mr. Dennis Morton – EP Discovery | dennis.morton@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Cecile O’Neill – EP Math | cecile.oneill@k12.sd.us
Ms. Sue Podoll – Suspension/ Expulsion | sue.podoll@k12.sd.us
Ms. Elizabeth Rus – HSP Counselor | elizabeth.rus@k12.sd.us
Mr. Jesse Sporrer – EP Social Studies Teacher | jesse.sporrer@k12.sd.us
Mr. Jacob Rigge – EP Social Studies | jacob.rigge@k12.sd.us
Mr. Thomas Trimble – EP Science | thomas.trimble@k12.sd.us
Mr. Robert Wechsler – Special Education | rob.wechsler@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Amanda Young – Counselor: Lifeways | amanda.young@k12.sd.us
SUPPORT STAFF
Ms. Sharon Conway – SPED Paraprofessional | sharon.l.conway@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Dianna Komes – ISS Lead Paraprofessional | dianna.komes@k12.sd.us
Ms. Kimberley Kringen – SPED Paraprofessional | kimberley.kringen@k12.sd.us
Ms. Joyce Linn – Learning Zone Paraprofessional | joyce.linn@k12.sd.us
I started my illustrious career with the school district as a lunch/playground supervisor for one year at Pinedale Elementary. After that I moved to the cafeteria at Stevens High School, I worked in there for two years. I made the decision to take the test that would allow me to become a Para.
This is my thirteenth year as a Para Educator, I worked in the Academic Resource Center at Stevens High School for ten years and then moved to Rapid City Alternative Academy to oversee ISS. I was only in the ISS room for one year and now reside in an Edgenuity classroom.
The best part of my job is helping students succeed in high school and seeing them move on to bigger, better things.
Ms. Kelly Oborny – Paraprofessional | Kelli.Oborny@k12.sd.us
Ms. Sheila Walker – Learning Zone Paraprofessional | sheila.walker@k12.sd.us
I have worked for the Rapid City School District since 2000. The first 6 years I enjoyed being a substitute for teachers, paraprofessionals and secretaries. I worked with every grade level, each school in Rapid City, and all the different subjects taught. I finally went full-time in 2007, starting at National American University with the Oyate program. Followed by a move to Career Learning Center, still with Oyate but with an added G.E.D for under 18. Final destination is Rapid City Alternative Academy in 2012, here I was moved to The Learning Zone, a room which offers assistance for all students needing extra help with any subject. Back in 2017-2018 school year, I was honored to be added as,” The Information Media Specialist”, (Librarian for short) Final words: “Hello there, I work in Learning Zone and Library.”
Facilities Care Team
Ms. Lillian Culbertson – Night Team Lead | lillian.culbertson@k12.sd.us
Mr. Paul Montoya – Custodial Coordinator/ Maintenance (day) | paul.montoya@k12.sd.us