New teachers in Burlington

Frannie Cauffman

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am originally from Belmont Hills, Pennsylvania.  I graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and received my teaching degree from WGU last year.  I have worked at BES for the past 11 years in the SPED department.  I am married and have one son who will be a senior in HS this year.    

What will you be teaching or coaching? 

I am very excited to be the first-grade teacher at BES.  

Why did you want to be a teacher? 

I know from my years in SPED that not all children feel included and like part of the class, especially when they are pulled out for small groups frequently.  My goal is for every student who comes into my room to feel loved, appreciated, and special.  I became a teacher to show all kids that they have potential and to help them see that learning can be fun!   

What drew you to this area to teach? 

I came to Wyoming the year before I graduated from college and worked on The Bill Cody Ranch cleaning rooms and waitressing.  I loved this area and knew I wanted to move here when I graduated.  

What do you like about teaching?

The best part about teaching is watching kids grow and achieve things that at the beginning of the year seemed impossible. 

Natoshia Heaton

Tell us a little about yourself and your background? Hello, my name is Natoshia Heaton.  I have lived in Burlington for just over a year.  We moved here because my husband wanted a new change in scenery and accepted a job on a cattle operation.  Together we have four children.  I am a first-year teacher, but I graduated from college many years ago.  My degree is Composite Biology Education.  

What will you be teaching or coaching?  I will be teaching Physical Science classes, which include Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, and 8th Grade Integrated Science.

Why did you want to be a teacher?  For several reasons, but initially it was because it felt like the best option for working while also having a family.  I also really enjoy working with children of all ages.  It is challenging, but even so, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.  Touching just one child’s life for the positive is all the reinforcement I require to keep trudging through the sludge. When one student has success because of the influence I had I know it has been worth it!  Lastly, I had a science teacher that was incredible and everything she did made me fall in love with science and teaching.  

What drew you to this area to teach?  My Junior High Science Teacher, and my love for understanding the cosmos and how all of it works.

What do you like about teaching? Being able to have an impact, hopefully positive, on the future generations!  I think it is one of the best ways to get to know people in the community. 

Tess Nelson

Tell us a little about yourself and your background? I am a Montana native. I also spent a lot of time in Cody with my grandparents. My husband and I have 5 boys ranging from 37-16 in age. We have four grandchildren, and will get to see my beautiful granddaughters daily now that I am teaching in Burlington! My husband and I are building a house on our property where I will be doing Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning in the evenings, summers and weekends. We have several animals on our little piece of heaven on earth.  When I am not at school I like to be outside working with my animals, exploring in the mountains and BLM, reading, cooking,fishing, traveling, and continuing my education in Equine Therapy Services and Reading Instruction.

What will you be teaching or coaching? This will be my 33rd year teaching students with special needs. My post graduate degree and endorsements are focused in the areas of literacy and Reading.

Why did you want to be a teacher? I had some teachers that made an incredible difference in my life. I wanted to do something where I could help others, especially those who had challenges. I wanted them to feel the success of overcoming the challenge, or learning how to manage it, and advocate for themselves. 

What drew you to this area to teach? The Big Horn Basin has been home to my family for over four generations, so working in the area has been a natural choice.  I like the family values and the community support that is offered to the youth in the area. I wanted to stay where my values and beliefs were similar to those around me.

What do you like about teaching? It is hard to beat the smile and look of accomplishment on a child’s face when they get something that had previously challenged them. When a child says for the  first time “ I get it now! I really get it!”, or you see them be successful with something independently for the first time. The child’s feelings are contaigous.