Our Team
Bryce Cushman - Director/Math
Hello! My names is Bryce and I am the Director at PVCS. I have 12 years of teaching experience, ranging from rural to urban and alternative educational settings. I have a passion for students as well as our local community.
Brooke Erickson - Kindergarten
Hello! My name is Brooke Erickson and I am the Kindergarten teacher here at PVCS. I am a firm believer that exploring and hands-on learning is key to a successful education! I graduated in 2018 from Adams State University with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. This will be my 6th year teaching in an early childhood classroom.
My husband and I live on a cattle ranch in Cheyenne with our 4 dogs (Missy, Boujee, Vegas and Squirt). In my free time I enjoy rodeoing and helping out on the ranch. I also have a certification in Equine Massage therapy. I am very excited to be able to watch your child grow into an amazing little learner!
Alisha Rafael-Hernandez - 1st & 2nd Grade
Hello, my name is Alisha Rafael-Hernandez. I am very excited to be part of PVCS and the project-based learning. I enjoy witnessing students take part in their learning and seeing the students as they grow throughout the year. I have been in education for 11 years in a variety of roles such as a substitute, paraeducator, and a special educator teacher and now as an elementary teacher.
I like to travel to new places and spending time with my family. I also run a painting business in my free time. I am very excited for this new adventure and I can’t wait to meet all the students and their parents. A fun fact about me is that I love decorating and celebrating holidays!
Shelly Van Why - 3rd & 4th Grade
Hello! I will be teaching 3rd and 4th grade this year. I have 23 years of teaching experience ranging from preschool, kindergarten, 3-5 grades, K-12 Special Education, online teaching, as well as being a mom of 3. I love working with kids and am passionate about implementing project-based learning within my teaching.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, working outside, and sitting down with a good book. Fun Fact: I have backpacked and hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim with my sisters.
Nichole Johnson - 5th & 6th Grade
My name is Nichole Johnson and I will be teaching 5th and 6th grade. I grew up in Wheatland and I have been working with kiddos for 15 years. I am super excited to be teaching at PVCS and being a part of a project-based learning environment. In my spare time, I like spending time with my family camping, hiking, fishing, and going on outdoor adventures. A fun fact about me is: a family tradition we have is finding the craziest crooked Christmas tree.
Cole Klubek - English
Howdy! I’m Mr. Cole and I'm excited to join PVCS to teach English while implementing strong communication and writing practices through project-based learning because in language almost everything can be viewed as a project that builds upon itself. I spent 10-years in the U.S. Air Force as a Weather Forecaster and Observer where I was stationed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Germany, and Missouri while also deploying to Baghdad, Iraq. After the military, I earned a degree in English from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania where I was a scholar athlete and turned 30-years old playing Division II football. In my free time I like to be outside hiking and searching for wildlife for Mrs. Klubek to take pictures of. Our family is excited to join the Chugwater community and look forward to meeting everyone!
Daniel Stevens - Social Studies
Hi, I’m Daniel Stevens, and I look forward to being the Social Studies teacher here at PVCS. With twelve years of elementary teaching experience and a degree in history, this will be my first year teaching social studies at the secondary level. I’m excited to engage each student with the greatest of all epics: the history of the world! Whether spending time in geography, civics, U.S. history or world civilizations, every student will have the opportunity to learn the truths of history and the value of contextualizing past events as they identify their own role in our current society.
My family has been in this community since late 2020, and my wife and I are delighted to be raising our four children in these wide open spaces. I look forward to partnering with your family for the academic excellence of your students and their growth into capable, purpose-driven citizens in our community and world.
Kaycee Scherger - Science
I am excited about working in Chugwater because I love the community and support that this small town offers. I am also super stoked about project-based learning because it connects to my belief about education and how real-world experience is crucial for student motivation and retention.
I graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2017, then taught for a year in Caldwell, ID. I then moved back home to Platte County and taught at the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy for three years.
In my free time, I enjoy horseback riding and am an active member of the Platte County Horsemans Association. I also have a hobby yak herd, that we raise for show and butcher. A fun fact about me is that I like crazy glasses and will appear to wear several different ones throughout the school year. I have about 100 toppers for my glasses to choose from. I also create my own glasses toppers.
Tyler Lay - Agriculture
Hi everyone, I am Tyler Lay and I am the Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor this year. I am a Platte County native with 11 years of teaching and advising experience, 6 and a half of those years here in Chugwater. Project-based education has been the cornerstone of Ag education since its beginning, and will continue to be implemented in Ag classes here at Prairie View Community School. In my free time I enjoy anything ranch work-related, as well as hunting and fishing.
Shannon Ashby - Para Professional
Hello everyone! My name is Shannon Ashby. I’m thrilled to be a part of Prairie View Community School. I live in Cheyenne however, I prefer the project-based learning, community involvement, and small class sizes this school has to offer. I have several years of experience in education ranging from administrative duties to classroom instruction.
I love to travel! In my free time, my family and I like exploring new places and making new memories.
Kayla Wilkinson - Instructional Aid & PE
Hello, my name is Kayla Wilkinson! My husband and I moved to Chugwater from South Dakota a year ago. In 2020, I graduated from The University of Wyoming with my Physical Education Teaching degree with endorsements in health and coaching. This will be my first year teaching but I have spent the past 3 years substitute teaching, at 3 different schools, in 3 different states!
In my free time, I enjoy reading books, baking, running, and spending time with my husband. I am excited to teach with project-based learning at PVCS because I know students will develop deeper content knowledge and establish numerous skills that they will take with them throughout their lives.
Christen Pleiman - Registrar & Office Manager
Hello, my name is Christen Pleiman and I am originally from North Central Florida, home of the Florida Gators. I graduated from Santa Fe College in December of 2001 with an Associate of Science degree in Cardiovascular technology. I worked in that field for 13 years before leaving to stay home with our son, Eli, and work with my husband in our commercial fishing business. My family and I moved to Chugwater, WY in 2022 to partner with my husband's sister and her family on their farm. I enjoy spending time with my family, hunting, fishing, and working. I am excited to be here in Chugwater and looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you and your kids. I am excited to see what this school year brings.
Hi. I'm Karen. My love of reading began at a very young age (thank you, Mom!), and my fondest childhood memories are of the time I spent in our small, central Illinois, town library. It touches my heart to work with PVCS students, to help them find the wonder and adventure that come from the pages of a book. It's rewarding to hear the excitement as they see new books on the shelves, and to watch as they settle into pillows to read. Being there makes me smile.
My husband, Mike, and I have lived east of Chugwater for 23 years (coming from NW Ohio). I'm a retired RN, and he's a retired electrician. When I'm not fussing over my grandkids, I like to read, quilt, play the piano, and putter in my flower garden. Together, we like to travel across the U.S. in our RV (fly rod in hand), or to Europe where our son and his family live. Our daughter, Jo (Kelley) Watson graduated from Chugwater school in 2003.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of Prairie View Community School's beginnings.
Karen Kelley - Librarian
Brandi Klubek - Para Professional
Hi! My name is Brandi Klubek and I’m excited to see students fall in love with learning and researching based on their interests and ideas at PVCS! I have many years of experience in elementary education and have worked in elementary schools across the country in a variety of positions. A fun fact about me is that I was born in Germany, and I was raised in Alabama. In my free time I like exploring the outdoors, photography, and painting!