With doctorate, state native new MHS principal

MEEKER | A Colorado native born in Denver has accepted an offer to return to the state and take the position as principal at Meeker High School.
Dr. Kimberly L. Ibach, DE, who has been assistant principal for instruction at Ben L. Smith High School in Guilford County, N.C., will take over the position left vacant at Meeker High School due to the resignation of Jeremy Voytko.
Ibach, who has current certification in North Carolina, Wyoming and Colorado for K-12 administration, superintendent, sociology and secondary social studies, earned her bachelor of arts degree in secondary social science/education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in 1991, her master of arts degree in teaching and American history from the University of Wyoming in Laramie in 1999 and her doctor of education degree with emphasis on leadership, administration and policy from Pepperdine University in California in April of this year.
“My rock and the love of my life, Pat, is a Wyoming native,” Ibach said. “We have been married for 19 years, and our children are Abbi, 15, and Brennan, 12.
“I was born in Denver and grew up near Parker,” she said. “We are all excited to come home to the Rocky Mountain region.
“North Carolina has been a great experience for us, however, we miss the intimacy and character of the West,” Ibach said. “Our entire family is excited to move and settle in the beautiful White River Valley.”
As of Tuesday, the Ibach family was en route from North Carolina to Meeker.
“With regards to an educational philosophy, I believe in supporting and growing every learner,” Ibach said. “The Meeker school system has many positive aspects and a new strategic plan. My goal is to support that vision.”
Prior to her last assignment, Ibach served as: K-8 social services curriculum specialist in Guilford County, N.C.; as project director for Safe Schools/Healthy Students for the Natrona County Wyo., School District in Casper; interim principal at Casper Classical Academy for the Natrona County School District; and as coordinator of the Teaching American History Grant & Social Studies Curriculum, also in Natrona County from 2004 to 2007.
As a teacher, Ibach has been a social studies and technology teacher at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, a member of the adjunct (associate) faculty in the Casper College history department, a swimming coach and WSI at Casper and Gillette, Wyo., and a social studies teacher at Campbell County High School in Gillette.
She has four published articles and a long list of awards and honors while she was in North Carolina and Wyoming, including the Ellbogen Excellence in Teaching Award signifying Wyoming’s state top teacher award in 2001 and the Wyoming State Historical Society Outstanding Wyoming Teacher Award in 2004.
She has also been involved in the community with the Historical Society in North Carolina, as a Casper Youth Baseball coach and manager, a volunteer at Metro Animal Control (dog pound), Boys & Girls Club soccer, football and A basketball coach and as a manager and building leader for a United Blood Drive.
As hobbies, Ibach cites reading, all things technology, coaching and athletics, horseback riding and animal husbandry, being a swim coach and she was a member of the ski patrol and a ski coach at Winter Park.