4th Grade

Hello! I am James Mills and this is my 7th year teaching. I am certified in general education EC-6th and special education EC-12th. I am excited to be back at Kallison for my third full year. I am retired from the military after serving nine years in the Navy, four years in the Army National Guard, and 12 years in the Air Force. Teaching your kids has helped me figure out what I want to do now that I am grown up. 

Most of my time outside school is spent attending my son and daughter’s Harlan High School swim meets and water polo matches. My youngest son attends Straus Middle School. My hobbies include hiking, backpacking, and camping in primitive areas. Hiking the Appalachian or Pacific Coast Trails are on my bucket list.

Hello! My name is Christine Walton, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Kallison family. With a passion for education and 27 years of teaching experience, I am dedicated to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for my students. I hold a degree in Elementary from Friends University in Wichita, KS. I strive to create a classroom atmosphere that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration. My goal is to inspire a love for learning that extends beyond the walls of the classroom. Beyond the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling with my husband. We are huge Kansas City Chiefs fans and love to travel to at least one game a year!

Hello families, my name is Jillian Thorn! I am so proud to begin my 11th year as an educator and to be part of the fourth grade team at Kallison Elementary! I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Education both from the University of Florida. Go Gators! My academic journey has been guided by a commitment to providing high quality education that sparks curiosity and encourages a love for learning. In our fourth grade classroom, we believe in the joy of discovery through interactive lessons, hands-on activities, collaboration, and open communication. My teaching philosophy revolves around fostering a growth mindset, where every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. I aim to create a classroom environment that is not just a space for education, but a community where each student feels valued and empowered. Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my family and friends, travel, and exercise.

Hello Kallison families!  I'm Mrs. Pamela Martinez and I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful school.  I have been teaching here at Kallison since we first opened the school in 2018.  I have been teaching for 18 years and have taught a variety of grade levels from Kinder to 4th grade.  I was awarded teacher of the year at Linton Elementary in 2017!  In addition to my role as 4th grade teacher here at Kallison, I bring a background as a former college athlete in both volleyball and softball at St. Mary's University.  Go Rattlers!  This is where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.  As a college athlete, I developed essential skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance-values that I aim to instill in my students both inside and outside the classroom.  My academic background is complimented by a passion for creating an engaging and supportive learning environment for all my students. 

Hi Kallison families! I am Carlee Huff and I am so happy to be a part of the Kallison community. This is my 7th year teaching and I have been at Kallison for 6 years. I graduated from UTSA in 2018 with my Bachelors Degree in Education. My goal is to create a safe learning environment all while building strong relationships with my students so they will continue to thrive and grow academically in the classroom. When I am not at school you can find me spending time with my husband and two children. We love to play outdoors and try out new restaurants! 

Hello! My name is Darcie Despres and I am a 4th grade teacher at Kallison. I graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2018 with my Bachelors Degree in Education and a minor in Reading. I have been teaching for 5 years and this is my 3rd year teaching at Kallison. I love to spend my time cooking, traveling with my family, drinking lots of coffee, and riding my bike. In 4th grade we love diving into novel studies, working on creative writing projects, and learning new math games. 

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best." - Tim Duncan