Kim grew up in Wayne, NE and graduated from Wayne State College May 2000. She married her husband, John (RCHS Class of 1996) on September 16th, 2000 and they live and raise their family near Guide Rock. They have two boys, Ben who is a freshman, and Gage who is a sixth grader. She loves spending time with her family fishing, camping, and traveling, and she also enjoys watching the boys play sports. She also enjoy spending time with her extended family, going home to see her parents, grandma, siblings, and their families, and also her in-laws (who happen to live across the road), and her sister-in-law and husband whom live in McCook.
What is your favorite thing about living in the Red Cloud/Guide Rock area?
My favorite things about this area are the people and the beauty. I think we have people that live in these communities that really care about the area and want to see it thrive. They are willing to volunteer to make it a better place to live for this generation and future generations as well. And they all look out for one another. I feel it is a great place to raise my kids because I know there are people that watch out for them, and also support them in everything they do. I also love the beautiful area we live in, there are so many things to see and do near the Republican River, and the sunsets and stargazing found here are hard to beat.
You’re on the Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund. What you drew you to this organization? Why do you think it’s important to build a culture of giving in the area?
I started to notice all the good things that the organization was doing for the community and felt that they were looking out for the good of the area, which I have always been interested in. I believe volunteering is very important in small towns and is also vital to keeping the towns thriving. I am also a leader of the Warrior 4-Her’s in Guide Rock and have a very active club that always does community service each year, and this year we had kids plant flowers in Guide Rock at the community center, and we painted many different places at the Webster County Fairgrounds to help spruce the place up in time for the Fair!
Teaching is a very demanding job but it is worth it when you see the progress in the students as they go through school, and after they graduate. When the kids come here, they aren’t just students to me, they are all “my kids” that become very special to me and I hope they all know that!
What are some of your favorite businesses to shop at in Red Cloud? Why?
We are very fortunate to have a grocery store in town, and more fortunate to have one that is owned by a family in our community. They are also very supportive of the school and the community and that is very important to me. I have two growing boys so I am a frequent shopper there! I also enjoy On the Brix because I can go there to relax and have a fun and friendly environment to do so in. I am glad they are bringing in entertainment and shopping to town as well, it makes life even more enjoyable and we don’t have to drive very far! I am thankful for all the businesses in town and the support that they show to our school and community.
Is there anything you wish people knew about teaching at Red Cloud Jr/Sr High School?
I really enjoy my job and I work with some amazing students! They really make my job fun! Teaching is a very demanding job but it is worth it when you see the progress in the students as they go through school, and after they graduate. When the kids come here, they aren’t just students to me, they are all “my kids” that become very special to me and I hope they all know that!
I live my life trying to be a good role model for others, and one thing that I feel very strongly about, is that if you don’t like the way something is going, it will never be fixed by complaining about it, but instead, you need to take action yourself to fix it.
You’re involved with organizing Prom. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
Some people think I’m crazy, but I love helping to organize the prom. I have a lot of fun working with the Juniors getting everything organized and it is great to see how excited they are when everything comes together and all their hard work and planning pays off! I try to get the kids into the habit of doing good things for the school and community, and this year we worked with the National Honor Society to allow them to use the prom decorations and host a princess party for some young kids in our community. It was a great hit and there were many students that helped Mrs. Schroer organize and carry out the event.
Recently, you helped spearhead the creation of a Greenhouse on the property south of the high school. Can you tell our readers a bit more about that project?
I’m really excited to be able to use the greenhouse this school year and start projects this fall that we will be able to work on the entire school year. We had a lot of volunteers and donors that made this project possible and the kids also helped build the greenhouse. They really enjoy it and are very excited to use it this school year as well. We added a tower garden that we will be starting soon, and also have an aquaponics system that we will be raising catfish in a tank and using their natural fertilizer to help us grow vegetables.
The Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund has been looking into creating a "Youth FAC" and you're involved with helping make that a reality through the Student Senate. What are your thoughts about creating this opportunity for area youth?
I’m excited to have our Student Senate kids be a part of the Red Cloud Community Fund Advisory Committee and help bring projects to life in our community that is driven by the student’s interests and their support.
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
I would want the ability to clone myself temporarily, and be able to control my clone. It would really help me get more projects done!
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
I like being outdoors, especially for hiking or fishing. I’ve made a little progress with creating a pollinator garden in our yard and enjoy reading and quilting when I have to be inside.
Do you have any pets?
We have a dog- Gus, and about nine cats. I also have various animals that call my classroom home, and that changes from week to week. My longest classroom pet is a tiger salamander, he has been with me for 13 years!
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
I love to raise perennial flowers, vegetables, and annuals. I am especially good at raising weeds in my perennial gardens. I really enjoy helping my kids work with their cattle for fair. I like to take pictures of sunsets, I have hundreds of them, so if you see me pulled over on the side of the road in the evening, that is probably what I am doing!
What would your high school teachers or guidance counselor say about you if we asked?
They would say I was a good student but also a social butterfly. I was probably their favorite student as well :)
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of my boys. When I hear stories of them showing kindness to other students, that helps assure me that I am doing a good job in raising them.
Do you have a mantra or mission statement you live by?
Not necessarily, but I live my life trying to be a good role model for others, and one thing that I feel very strongly about, is that if you don’t like the way something is going, it will never be fixed by complaining about it, but instead, you need to take action yourself to fix it.
What historical figure or celebrity would you most like to have dinner with? Why?
I would like to have dinner with Jesus, He could answer a lot of questions for me!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to relocate to rural Nebraska?
What are you waiting for? Just do it!
I’m really excited to be able to use the greenhouse this school year and start projects this fall that we will be able to work on the entire school year....We added a tower garden that we will be starting soon, and also have an aquaponics system that we will be raising catfish in a tank and using their natural fertilizer to help us grow vegetables.
What is your favorite song and/or recording artist?
Jason Aldean - Rearview Town
Is there anything you would like our readers to know about Ely’s Inc?
Ely’s Inc. has been in the family since 1896! My husband John is the fourth generation, and that is very unusual in this day and age. We are very proud to have a family owned elevator.