MITCHELL, S.D. — LB Williams Elementary will welcome seven new staff members for the 2026-27 school year, adding new teachers, support staff and a school nurse as students prepare to return to class this fall.
The new additions include first-year Begindergarten teacher Reese Rozell, a graduate of South Dakota State University who is beginning her teaching career after gaining experience through substitute teaching, before- and after-school programs and student teaching. Joining her as a first-year educator is special education teacher Kadence Halvorson, a Mitchell native and Dakota Wesleyan University graduate.
Veteran educator Lisa Haiar will take over a kindergarten classroom after serving as a kindergarten through second-grade academic tutor at LB Williams. Haiar enters her 27th year in education, having previously taught in the Montrose, Mitchell Catholic/John Paul II and Hanson school districts.
Kate McEntee will split her time as the school nurse for both LB Williams and Mitchell High School. A Mitchell native and LBW graduate, McEntee brings nursing experience from the Abbott House, Avera Urgent Care and Mayo Clinic, along with recent work as a paraeducator and substitute nurse in the Mitchell School District.
The school also welcomed Jenna Dennert-Jamison as its new librarian. Dennert-Jamison spent the past five years teaching music in South Dakota and holds degrees in music and English from South Dakota State University and the University of Oklahoma.
Rounding out the new staff are paraeducators Kari Helma and Donna Shields. Helma previously worked in the Mount Vernon School District after years as a stay-at-home mother, while Shields brings experience from the health care field after working in hospital environmental services and sterile processing before relocating to South Dakota.
LB Williams introduced each new staff member through online profiles highlighting their backgrounds, favorite children’s books and personal interests as they prepare to welcome students for the start of the new school year.