Horizon Specials Team

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Genevieve Brown, Art

Greetings!  I’m Genevieve Brown, your art teacher!  I grew up in Salina, Kansas and graduated from KU where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Art History.  After college, I worked for 6 years at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.  While working at the Nelson, a lot happened in my life: I earned a Masters Degree in Art History from UMKC, a Masters Degree in Teaching and Learning from Pittsburg State University, and I met my husband. 

After getting married, Mr. Brown and I lived in Nashville, Tennessee and New York City.  My first four years of teaching elementary art were in these two cities.  In 2018 we moved back to the Kansas City area, and I became the art teacher at Horizon.  This will be my 10th year of teaching art.

In 2020, my husband and I bought our first home in the downtown Overland Park neighborhood.  We welcomed our first child, Vivian, in November of 2022.  We also have an affectionate, yet adventurous, cat named Larry.

Art and travel are two of my passions.  I love exploring new cities and art museums.  I also spend a lot of time visiting my family in Salina and Wichita.  When I’m not at school, my family enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants.

Perhaps my greatest passion of all is my job: cultivating a love for art and creativity in our young artists!

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Sarah Hemberger, Media Aid

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Kerry Lisondra, Technology

I'm thrilled to be celebrating my 25th year of teaching in the De Soto school district! It's been an incredible journey, during which I've had the privilege of teaching 5th grade, 3rd grade, and currently, I'm serving as the technology teacher at Horizon Elementary. I earned my BSEd from Pittsburg State University and later completed my MSEd at the University of Kansas.

Beyond the classroom, I have 2 amazing kids who are both students in the De Soto school district. My family and I reside in Shawnee and love being a part of this school community!

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Michelle Madden, Music

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Kendall Schmitt, PE

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Laura Tadlock, Media Specialist

This will be my 20th year teaching in the De Soto School District. I attended Pittsburg State University and received both my undergrad and master's degree from there. I've taught fourth and fifth grade, before I became the library media specialist. I've been fortunate to both raise my children and work in the same school district that I once attended high school in myself.

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