District Welcomes Special Services Director

Kearney School District is excited to announce that Hannah Iversen has been hired as our new Director of Special Services. The district’s Board of Education approved Iversen’s hiring on March 20. She will start on July 1, 2024.

As the Director of Special Services, Iversen will be part of Superintendent Emily Miller’s Cabinet leadership team at the district central office. She will organize and administer special education and related services for students with disabilities.

In this critical position, Iversen will help ensure that those educational services comply with district policies and state and federal regulations. That includes overseeing the district’s gifted, English Language Learners, health and childcare services. Her department includes paraprofessionals, Talented and Gifted program and special education teachers, and Kids Club staff members.

Current Director of Special Services Heather Guilkey submitted her resignation earlier this year in order to pursue other opportunities. Dr. Guilkey has served the district well for 11 years. She started the life skills program at Kearney High School in 2013, and later became the process coordinator for secondary schools. Guilkey has led the Department of Special Services since 2019.

According to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Zach McMains, Kearney School District led an extensive process to identify and recruit a high-quality candidate for the position.

“Ms. Iversen has the ideal combination of experiences at different levels of public education and is highly knowledgeable and skilled in all the areas we need for this very important position,” Dr. McMains said. “She is highly recommended and we’re pleased to welcome her to the Bulldogs team!”

Iversen has been a special education professional since 2013. She is currently serving as the Special Services Process Coordinator for Grain Valley R-V School District. Before joining Grain Valley, she held that same position for five years at Guadalupe Centers, which runs a system of charter schools in Kansas City. Her career started as a special education teacher at Gordon Parks Elementary School.

“I have a strong passion for special education and leadership, and was drawn to the district’s tight-knit community and support for the school district,” Iversen said. “I am excited to build on the success of the district’s special programs to ensure every student’s needs are met.”

Iversen holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Northwest Missouri State University. She is currently participating in the Missouri Pathway for Aspiring Leaders program through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story