Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner
[email protected]
785-438-4530
My name is Gabrielle Tanner and I am honored to have been named the Principal of Sheldon Head Start Child Development Center and Pine Ridge Prep Preschool starting in the 2020-2021 school year. I am very excited for the opportunity to serve these amazing school communities!
I hold a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education and an ESOL endorsement from Emporia State University. I also hold a Master's of Science in School Leadership from Baker University. I have had the opportunity during my career to become a district trainer in trauma informed practices and the Comprehensive Integrated Three Tiered Systems of Support. These experiences have developed my mindset, beliefs, and prepared me for school leadership.
I began my teaching career in Emporia Public Schools in 2009. In Emporia I taught 4th grade for two years before deciding commuting wasn't for me and I needed a position closer to my home in Topeka! I began teaching in the Shawnee Heights school district where I taught 5th, 6th and 2nd grades for a total of 4 years. During this time I was completing my Master's in School Leadership and at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, I transitioned to an Instructional Coach role in Topeka Public Schools at Bishop Elementary. When Bishop closed I moved to the new Jardine campus where I served one year as the Dean of Students. I spent two years at Ross Elementary first as the Building Leader Intern and then as Assistant Principal. I am a teacher first and foremost and approach my work as a school leader in this way. My experiences working in diverse school communities have prepared me well. I believe a school should be a joyful place where students and staff feel safe to take risks to learn in new and different ways. Relationships are critical for creating this kind of culture.
Personally, I live with my husband, Joe, and my daughters, Adelyn (9) and Camryn (4). My husband is an Automotive Technician and owner of Frye's Auto Repair in Topeka, Adelyn is a 3rd grader in Topeka Public Schools, and Camryn is in her final year of preschool in Topeka Public Schools. My little ladies keep me busy with theatre, gymnastics, soccer, and their love of staying active! The majority of my family lives in Topeka and we enjoy every opportunity we get to spend together. My husband and I are huge sports fans and spend a lot of time watching our favorite teams (Jayhawks! Chiefs! Royals! Yankees!).
I look forward to the opportunity to share more about myself and to learn about all of you!
Mrs. Shelley Banzhaf
[email protected]
785-329-7870
I have been in education for over 30 years. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. I earned a Master's Degree in Teaching and Learning from Avila University in Kansas City and a Building Leadership License in Administration from Emporia State University. I began my teaching career in 4th grade at Lyons-Decatur in Nebraska. Then I taught Kindergarten for 8 years at Maywood, Nebraska. Our family moved to Kansas in 2000 and I taught at Burlingame Elementary School for 16 years, in 1st and 3rd grades. I was very fortunate to begin teaching in TPS at Lowman Hill Elementary. 2nd and 3rd grades were where I spent my time. I was at McClure Elementary school as an Instructional Coach and Building Administrator Intern for two years. I am very excited to continue the growth that you have started at Pine Ridge Prep!!
Personally, I was raised on our family farm in Nebraska. I can ride a horse, drive a tractor, harvest crops and haul them to town, and work cattle. My parents instilled a strong work ethic and a never give up attitude. 4-H and sports kept me busy through elementary and high school . I met my husband in college and we have been married for 38 years. We have 4 grown, married children and 9 grandkids. Kayla and Laura have Lucy and Theo, Nikki and Adam have Oliver and Micah, Krista and Aaron have Landon and Myla, and Derek and Jordan have Braxton, Paicyn, and Emmalyn (who are the cutest and smartest children in the universe, of course!)
We are HUGE Husker fans and love to watch sports. And I am a Duke basketball fan as well. I love to be outside digging in the dirt! My yard work, garden, and flowers are my zen space. I also love to read - suspense mysteries are my fave! I also love to read professionally. Grilled steak and baked potato is the best meal, Reeses PeanutButter Cups are the bomb, and 80s rock is best when it's turned up loud so it drowns out my singing! As I said, we love to be outside. So in the fall and winter we go hunting. We are avid upland bird hunters. Along with that, we raise and train weimaraners - hunting dogs. We have six - Moxie, Savvy, Grayce, Cooper, Raine, and Barron.
My door is always open. If you have a question, just ask. If you have a concern, we can solve anything together. Communication, collaboration, and compassion are important for us to succeed. High expectations with a strong work ethic are necessary as we lay the cornerstones of our scholars' foundation. We will make sure our scholars are successful regardless of what the future holds.
I am very excited to continue the collaborative work at PIne Ridge Prep! Our school provides outstanding services to our scholars and their families. We will do all we can to provide them with a wonderful learning experience at Pine Ridge Prep. I look forward to serving our community.
Stay safe and we will see you soon!!
Mrs. Banzhaf