Kate Thompson

Kate Thompson is the go to person when it comes to all things in the Library. As the head Librarian at Olathe Northwest, Thompson has been checking books out to students since the opening of the school. Before becoming the librarian at ONW she was a librarian at Briar Wood Elementary School. But before getting her masters degree she taught speech and drama at Sante Fe Trail Middle School.

"When ONW first opened I wanted to take on the challenge of opening a brand new library. My Mother was also a school librarian and she loved it, so she was another reason for my choice to become a librarian," Thompson said.

Thompsons favorite part of working at ONW isn't different than most of the staff, getting to know the student body and building relationships with the staff.

"Its the people at Olathe Northwest that make it great and getting to work with them is my favorite part of being a librarian," Thompson said.

The most challenging part of the job for Thompson is puting all of the books back at the end of the year when students start to return them. But the worst part of the job this year for Thompson is the new Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) system that allows students to bring their own devices to school and connect to the internet.

"Besides having to put a load of books back on the shelves towards this time of the year, BYOD is the worst thing ever! It was bad this year but there is hope for next year, at least thats what they tell me," Thompson said.

Thompson has spent over 10 years at Olathe Northwest and she says that the end is in sight.

"I have made some wonderful relationships with people at ONW. I plan on being here for at least 3 more years," Thompson said.

Cathy Schaukowitch: Caregiver

The staff at Olathe Northwest goes above and beyond to care for students well being. One person in particular is our school nurse, Cathy Schaukowitch.

"My overall goal is to keep students safe, safety is my main objective, also mental health wise trying to keep them healthy that way also but definitely the health and safety of the students and staff is my main goal.", Schaukowitch said.

Schaukowitch has been a nurse since 1977 and this is her 8th year at Olathe Northwest. Throughout her nursing career Schaukowitch has worked in hospitals, doctor offices, home health care, and schools.

Schaukowitch loves working at ONW because the kids are great and touch your heart, the administration is very supportive, and the staff is fabulous. She also enjoys working here because it is her own clinic and she is in charge of the setting.

For Schaukowitch caring for people has always been what she wants to do. The summer after 7th grade Schaukowitch took care of an elderly neighbor everyday who needed someone in the house with her. She would come over later in the day then spend the night with this lady. This is when Schaukowitch decided that she wanted to be a nurse.

Being a nurse is full of surprises and different agendas everyday depending on students health concerns. Schaukowitch shares that all the paperwork and communicating with parents who disagree can be one of the most challenging parts of the job.

"We certainly try to communicate well and I make sure all my paper work is correct, theres a lot of charts and computer entries that I double check and have other people check. A lot of behind the scenes stuff that a lot of people don't realize we do.", Schaukowitch said.

Schaukowitch gives advice to aspiring nurses, "If you like to work with people and things like blood don't bother you then go for it and enjoy it. Think positive and you will go a long way."

Megan Winters

Megan Winters is one of the attendance secretary's at Olathe Northwest that will greet you when you come to school late. She has been giving passes to students for the past year but she has been at Olathe Northwest for 5 years. Before working attendence she was a para for the special education students, and before that, a preschool teacher.

"I loved those students. But I wanted to get to know the rest of the school better so when the job (Attendance Secretary) opened up I took it," Winters said.

Winters stresses that although the job is fun, it is also takes a a lot work.

"It takes a whole lot of multitasking all the time! And I must always have a high energy level which I do run out of sometimes. But you have to really like the students to enjoy this job, and I do, the students are great," Winters said.

All jobs have there ups and downs, for Winters, its the students that worry her sometimes.

"My least favorite part of the job I think is the disciplinary aspect of it. I also worry for some students, the ones that are constantly late," Winters said.

Winters favorite part of being an attendance secertary so far this year are her coworkers and student aides. But without the students at ONW her job wouldn't be possible. And its the students that ultimately make her love her job. Winters looks forward to the future as the attendance secretary at Olathe Northwest.

"I don't have any plans so far for leaving and I think I'll be here for a while. My daughter will be here next year so that should be fun," Winters said.

"I just love the atmosphere that Olathe Northwest creates with its students and staff. Oh, and its close to home!" Winters said.

Sharla Richardson: A Helping Hand

ONW's own, Sharla Richardson, has been a helping hand and smile at Northwest for years now. Dedicating her personal time as a devoted sped teacher, she lacks no heart. She has spent numerous years helping those who may be less fortunate than her, however, she doesn't see these disabilities, the kids she works with have just become life-long friends.

"These kids will teach you more than you teach them. That's exactly what you get with the ones I work with," Richardson said.

She works day in and day out with the most inspiring kids she has ever met. Ones that fail to see obstacles.

"I guess they look at it how I view it. They really don't see obstacles, whether its a mobility disability or speech or learning, they live their life with a smile," Richardson said.

Persevering through the ups and downs, Richardson knows the kids are like any other, they have bad days too.

"I've seen them at their best and their worst, I've worked through the best and worst, we've fallen but we always get back up because they're fighters," Richardson said.

I suppose compassion is the best way to describe this woman. And like all other articles in this blog, her work and her name may not be in lights, but her character is of the highest respect. One simply cannot be brightened by her.

"It's all love for me, I'm here for what I love and money has become inanimate to me," Richardson said.

Here is Richardson's own blog and all her endeavors: http://thecrazyrichardsonzoo.blogspot.com

Jonathon Stahl: An Inspiration

Jonathon Stahl is an inspiring para at Olathe Northwest. His work not only changes the lives of students with special needs but also those around him. His love and passion to advocate for those with disabilities is displayed by his daily dedication.

"Our overall goal is to advocate for our kids in areas that they cant and eventually for them to be able to not need me and become independent by acomplishing things on their on." said Stahl.

Being an assistive aid para is more than just a job title, it's life style. Stahl has a love for working and being with teenagers.  After tutoring an autistic friend in college he knew that assisting teens with special needs was what he wanted to do. Along with Stahl's job as a para he also works with teens at his church.

Stahl has been at Olathe Northwest for the past 5 years and enjoyed the new experiences, working with a great team, and building strong relationships with the kids.

"There are no typical days here, they all look completely different which is one of the reason why I love working here." Stahl said.

Being one on one with student, Jack Weafer everyday since freshman year has created a strong bond between the two. Watching Jack and his friends grow up has been an amazing thing to be apart of, Stahl explained.

One of Stahl's favorite memories from this year was getting to see Jack nominated for homecoming king, and winning. Stahl describes this experience as "incredible".

Overall, Jonathon Stahl wants to impact students lives by continuing to build relationships with kids and give them confidence to do whatever it is they want to do.

"I hope that jack and all our students have the ability to experience all the opportunities the other kids have, we push for that really hard, my hope for him is to have an awesome experience in high school and have the same opportunites everyone else does." Stahl said.

Dennis Hanners: The Protection of ONW

Dennis Hanners walks the halls every day watching out for the students of Olathe Northwest and has done so for over 6 years and enjoys every day of it.

After Hanners service in the Vietnam War he worked in trucking for 26 years. After retiring he was looking for a retirement job when Rockwell Security gave him a job that he had been looking for. Hanners now works for Rockwell Security through Olathe Northwest.

"The best reason for working here is the atmosphere that the students and staff make," Hanners said.

Hanners appreciates the rest of the staff and the great relationships that the staff has with the student body.

"This job is great because it allows me to meet new people and create relationships with people that I may have never met," Hanners said.

Hanners favorite part of the job is public relations because it amazes him that there is around 2000 students and the staff at ONW can relate to every single one of them.

"Being a security guard is great but confrontation with somebody can be hard. Having to tell someone to do something and them not listening is challenging sometimes but it is part of the job," Hanners said.

Olathe Northwest isn't like any other high school to Hanners, he believes Olathe Northwest is a model school and one that others should look up to based on what he sees from other schools around the country.

Hanners looks forward to the future as a security guard at Olathe Northwest. As of right now he has no plans of stoping.

"I will work here for as long as I can walk. I look forward to the new school year every summer and getting back to work," Hanners said.

Jay Novacek: The Voice of all Ravens

The first thing recognizable about a high school program is typically sports. How many state championships? How was the program doing this year? In most aspects of high school, judgements are common, but through the highs and lows of Northwest athletics, this Athletic Director never loses credibility.

Jay Novacek, the AD at Northwest, is more than just a social media icon to Olathe. The work that he does isn't always in the spotlight. Novacek is a promoter, a supporter, and a life coach with student athletes on their path to success. The schedule is hectic, but the reward is helping youths prosper.

"I'm in a supporter role, I have to take a backseat to promote these athletes, I really enjoy the service side of the job," Novacek said.

He's not only an athletic promoter, but a promoter of the school's e-communications, aerospace and engineering, and all students.

"I try to make sure that I'm promoting the school, not just athletics. You will constantly catch me bragging about our programs and the fact that we have national rankings in many places," Novacek said.

Knowing that the job entails a lot of outside work, Novacek's family deals with his absence in many places of life. Even some of the most memorable moments as a father to his son's, the job has taken priority.

"I'm usually out 4 to 5 nights a week, I have my boys who are playing sports and missing their games sometimes is hard on them but they're still supportive," Novacek said.

Not only being an AD but also an assistant principle, the job takes dedication Sometimes, this dedication doesn't always go noticed but Novacek knows how important his position is.

We asked Novacek why he gets up in the morning. He summed it up with the most patriotic answer.

"I bleed black and blue. I've been here since day one and since the school opened. This school means as much to me as any place on earth," Novacek said.

For all information visit onwravens.net and follow our Athletic Director @ADNovacekONW