IB North Faculty

Information about specific classes can be obtained through the instructor listed below:

Group 1 Language

Erin Wright has been in the teaching profession for 16 years, all 16 in the Shawnee Mission School District. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from Kansas State University. Currently Wright teaches IB Literature and English/ Language Arts 4; as well she is an assistant Cross Country coach and the senior class sponsor. As an educator, Wright believes the most impactful experiences she has been a part of are the many educational travel opportunities she has shared with students, including trips to central Europe, Great Britain, the South Pacific, New York City, and Greece/ Italy. These tours allow student to explore new cultures, experience historical sites, and offers a global perspective and independence.

Brad Rose English 2

Group 2 World Language

Audrey Lauber French

Audrey Lauber has taught in the Shawnee Mission district for 7 years teaching all levels of French from beginner to AP and IB. Ms. Lauber graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in French and Sociology from the University of Kansas. Upon graduation Ms. Lauber was awarded an apprenticeship to teach English in France through a partnership with the French government. After moving back to the United States she pursued her Education degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, later earning a Master in Curriculum and Instruction from Baker. Ms. Lauber has truly embraced the global-minded nature of the IB program through extensive travel, including multiple trips to Europe with students, a long-stay in Ecuador to study Spanish, and a summer abroad in Montreal learning the Quebecois accent.

Stephanie Wixon Spanish

Stephanie Wixon completed her student teaching at Kodaikanal International School in Tamil Nadu, India. While there she taught grades three and four while also tutoring IB Spanish. She then received her undergraduate degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida I 2007. After graduation Stephanie taught lower level Spanish for three years in St. Louis, Missouri at Southeast Middle School. In 2012 she moved first to Costa Rica to sharpen her Spanish skills, and then on to El Salvador where she worked for two years teaching English as a Second Language and assisted with a feeding program for malnourished children. Stephanie has taught in the Shawnee Mission School District since 2015 teaching beginning and IB levels of Spanish. Last year she traveled with fourteen SMN students to Costa Rica in order to deepen their understanding of the Spanish Language. She looks forward to continuing to watch students grow in their understanding and passion for the Spanish language.

Stephanie Kelman Thornton Spanish

BA / Spanish (University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS); MA / Theater (University of Missouri-Kansas City, Centro de Lenguas Modernas (University of Granada / Spain (graduate hours) Sra. Thornton has lived in Spain. She has traveled in Spain, Mexico Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Group 3 Individuals and Society

David Reichart History of the Americas

Like many of you reading this, Mr. Reichart is a product of the Shawnee Mission area. After moving to Overland Park in 1980, he grew up in the West attendance area where he graduated in 1992. His life-long following of Kansas State University then took him to Manhattan, KS as he began his studies in secondary education. Life at SM North began for David with the 1998-1999 school year. In 2007, he received his master's degree in Education from Baker University. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Reichart's passion for history, sports and competition dominate his time. He has coached football, basketball, track and field, and baseball at SM North over the years. This year he continues to be involved with the football and boys' basketball programs. Entering his 15th year, he looks back on the past fourteen as a blessing and is anxiously anticipating what can be accomplished this year.

Group 4 Experimental Sciences

Group 5 Mathematics

John Acheson Math Studies SL

This is Mr. Acheson's 17th year at SM North, and 23rd year teaching mathematics. He spent the first six years teaching in Eudora, KS. In addition to IB Math Studies SL, he teaches Algebra 1 and Precalculus. John attended the University of Kansas for his undergraduate as well as graduate degrees. He earned a BS and MS in mathematics. He is married with one daughter and his hobbies include model railroading and following sports.

Libby Davis,

Libby Davis has been working at Shawnee Mission North since 2012, and IB Mathematics since 2017. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University and her Master’s degree from Baker University.

Group 6 Arts/Electives

Chris Palmer Film

Mr. Palmer started teaching in 2010 at SM North. He has taught Drama, Tech Theatre, Repertory Theatre, IB Theatre, Speech, and English. Chris went to Missouri Western State University and will finish his Master of Arts in Theatre Production and Design in 2014. He has been married for many years and has an awesome daughter named Rowan who has him wrapped around her little finger.

Stephanie Gagnebin Psychology

Ms. Gagenbin started teaching in 1999 at Lincoln Prep where she taught IB Psychology and Speech. Next she taught Debate, Argumentation and Discussion, Speech ,and English at SM Northwest, and then moved to SM North where she's been for the past eight years. Stephanie went to Emporia State University and will finish her Master of Arts in Teaching in spring of 2013.

David Reichart Social and Cultural Anthropology