Mountainburg Public Schools
Home of the Dragons!
2026 K-12 CALENDAR
Meet Mrs. Mary Thicksten, MHS English teacher for grades 9th and 11th. Let's welcome her to Mountainburg in true Dragon fashion!!
From Mrs. Thicksten: "A graduate of Van Buren High School, Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Alabama and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She brings 19 years of experience in education, having taught English Language Arts at Pea Ridge High School and Bentonville High School before serving as a Library Media Specialist at both Bentonville High School and most recently Alma High School.
Throughout her career, Mary has taught grades 9–12, including AP courses and special education inclusion classes. She has worked with a wide range of learners, including struggling and reluctant readers and writers, at-risk students, and students facing emotional and behavioral challenges. Her experience also includes work in alternative education settings, where she developed a strong ability to build trust, create structured and supportive learning environments, and help students find success.
Mary has completed specialized training in dyslexia intervention, trauma-informed practices, and phonics instruction. She is passionate about literacy, differentiated instruction, and helping students build confidence in their academic abilities.
What excites Mary most about joining Mountainburg High School is the opportunity to become part of a close-knit rural community. She values the meaningful relationships that can be built among students, families, educators, and the community, and believes students thrive when they feel known, respected, and supported. Her goal is to create a classroom environment where every student feels safe, capable, and motivated to grow both academically and personally."
Welcome to MHS!
From Mrs. Thicksten: "A graduate of Van Buren High School, Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Alabama and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She brings 19 years of experience in education, having taught English Language Arts at Pea Ridge High School and Bentonville High School before serving as a Library Media Specialist at both Bentonville High School and most recently Alma High School.
Throughout her career, Mary has taught grades 9–12, including AP courses and special education inclusion classes. She has worked with a wide range of learners, including struggling and reluctant readers and writers, at-risk students, and students facing emotional and behavioral challenges. Her experience also includes work in alternative education settings, where she developed a strong ability to build trust, create structured and supportive learning environments, and help students find success.
Mary has completed specialized training in dyslexia intervention, trauma-informed practices, and phonics instruction. She is passionate about literacy, differentiated instruction, and helping students build confidence in their academic abilities.
What excites Mary most about joining Mountainburg High School is the opportunity to become part of a close-knit rural community. She values the meaningful relationships that can be built among students, families, educators, and the community, and believes students thrive when they feel known, respected, and supported. Her goal is to create a classroom environment where every student feels safe, capable, and motivated to grow both academically and personally."
Welcome to MHS!
We are at the midpoint of summer and the 4th of July is already here!
We are proud to celebrate 11 Mountainburg teachers who have earned a combined $37,500 in Merit Teacher Incentive Pay from the State of Arkansas!
Merit pay is awarded on factors such as:
⭐ Promoting strong student academic growth
⭐ Teaching in high-need subject areas
⭐ Providing leadership and mentorship to fellow educators
Congratulations to these deserving educators on this well-earned achievement, and thank you to all the teachers in Mountainburg Schools for the incredible work you do for our students every day.
Merit pay is awarded on factors such as:
⭐ Promoting strong student academic growth
⭐ Teaching in high-need subject areas
⭐ Providing leadership and mentorship to fellow educators
Congratulations to these deserving educators on this well-earned achievement, and thank you to all the teachers in Mountainburg Schools for the incredible work you do for our students every day.
Reminder: All athletes must have an up-to-date physical and a completed DragonFly profile by August 1. Get ahead of the game!
DragonFly: https://www.dragonflymax.com/parents-academy
Sports camps and practices resume the week of July 7: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fmdc2HlTCxSZfpbO7Y81t86PP5WX2wxb?usp=sharing
We are excited to welcome Mr. Jared Sample to MHS as our new ISD and Virtual Learning Facilitator!
Mr. Sample brings a passion for education, technology, and student success, and we are thrilled to have him join our team. In his role, he will support innovative learning opportunities, enhance virtual instruction, and help students and staff make the most of educational technology.
In addition to his instructional leadership responsibilities, Mr. Sample will also be joining our athletic program as an assistant Baseball Coach. We look forward to the positive impact he will make both in the classroom and on the field.
From Coach Sample: "I am thankful and eager to join the Mountainburg High School Staff and Athletic Department. I graduated from Rogers High School in 2018 and went on to receive my bachelor’s degree and play baseball at The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. That is where I met my wife, Kassy who is a graduate from MHS. We have been married for 3 years and have a 1 year old son.
I have volunteered as an assistant coach for the baseball for the past 2 seasons and am excited to take over the program as well as join the MHS team. In my new role, I look forward to building strong relationships to help students and athletes realize their potential and create new opportunities for themselves. I believe failure is a prerequisite for success in academics, athletics, and life. I also believe that growth is the true measure of success. With that I am honored to carry on and grow the strong tradition of Mountainburg High School. Go Dragons!"
Please join us in giving Coach Sample a warm MHS welcome. We are excited for the knowledge, leadership, and enthusiasm he brings to our school community!
Mr. Sample brings a passion for education, technology, and student success, and we are thrilled to have him join our team. In his role, he will support innovative learning opportunities, enhance virtual instruction, and help students and staff make the most of educational technology.
In addition to his instructional leadership responsibilities, Mr. Sample will also be joining our athletic program as an assistant Baseball Coach. We look forward to the positive impact he will make both in the classroom and on the field.
From Coach Sample: "I am thankful and eager to join the Mountainburg High School Staff and Athletic Department. I graduated from Rogers High School in 2018 and went on to receive my bachelor’s degree and play baseball at The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. That is where I met my wife, Kassy who is a graduate from MHS. We have been married for 3 years and have a 1 year old son.
I have volunteered as an assistant coach for the baseball for the past 2 seasons and am excited to take over the program as well as join the MHS team. In my new role, I look forward to building strong relationships to help students and athletes realize their potential and create new opportunities for themselves. I believe failure is a prerequisite for success in academics, athletics, and life. I also believe that growth is the true measure of success. With that I am honored to carry on and grow the strong tradition of Mountainburg High School. Go Dragons!"
Please join us in giving Coach Sample a warm MHS welcome. We are excited for the knowledge, leadership, and enthusiasm he brings to our school community!
Welcome, Mrs. Jennifer Denn!
Mountainburg Middle School is excited to welcome Mrs. Jennifer Denn as our new principal!
We are thrilled to have her leadership and vision guiding our school as we continue to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
From Mrs. Denn: "I am excited to begin a new chapter as the Middle School Principal at Mountainburg School District.
For the past 20 years, I have been blessed to serve students, families, and communities at Perryville School District. My journey has included 18 years in the elementary classroom and, most recently, serving as Curriculum Director, Federal Programs Coordinator, and District Testing Coordinator. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to be surrounded by a team of wonderful educators and building principals who have helped shape the educator and person I am today.
A little about me—I am a graduate of Perryville High School, where I met my husband, Troy. We were high school sweethearts and later attended Arkansas Tech University together. We have been married for 20 years and are the proud parents of Parker and Blakely. Our children keep us busy, as our favorite thing to do is watch them compete in all their activities. When I’m not following my kids to a gym or field, I love to travel, especially with my Mom and two younger sisters.
The people I have met from Mountainburg have already been so welcoming, and I am looking forward to building relationships with students, staff, families, and the Mountainburg community as we work together to make this a great year. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.
Go Dragons!"
Please join us in giving Mrs. Denn a warm Mountainburg Middle School welcome. We look forward to an amazing school year ahead and all the great things to come under her leadership!
We are delighted to welcome Mrs. Christal Gilmore back to MES as a 1st-grade teacher. Mrs. Gilmore's dedication to education, passion for helping students succeed, and commitment to creating a positive learning environment make her a wonderful addition to our school community. Please join us in giving Mrs. Gilmore a warm welcome back to MES!
From Mrs. Gilmore: "I am excited to be re-joining the MES team! They have always made me feel very welcome, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them again. I will be starting my 9th year as an educator and my favorite things about the classroom are teaching my students foundational reading skills and integrating art with learning. My husband Cody and I have been married for over 30 years and we have 2 adult daughters, Chelbi and Chloe. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and listening to music. Let’s go Dragons!”
From Mrs. Gilmore: "I am excited to be re-joining the MES team! They have always made me feel very welcome, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them again. I will be starting my 9th year as an educator and my favorite things about the classroom are teaching my students foundational reading skills and integrating art with learning. My husband Cody and I have been married for over 30 years and we have 2 adult daughters, Chelbi and Chloe. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and listening to music. Let’s go Dragons!”
2026 DRAGON LITTLE LEAGUE FOOTBALL AND CHEER: Sign ups for little league football and cheer are open! Please use the link to sign up, payment link will be added soon.
If you have questions: Amber Ridenoure @ amber.ridenoure@mountainburg.org
https://forms.gle/AtWyssFhRiWyAWJN6
If you have questions: Amber Ridenoure @ amber.ridenoure@mountainburg.org
https://forms.gle/AtWyssFhRiWyAWJN6
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Aaron Mack to Mountainburg Elementary as our new Music Teacher!
We are excited to have Mr. Mack join the Mountainburg School District and share his passion for music with our students. We look forward to the creativity, enthusiasm, and opportunities he will bring to our elementary music program.
Welcome to the Dragon family, Mr. Mack!
From Mr. Mack: "Hello all! My name is Aaron Mack and I can’t wait to instill a love for music in the Moutainburg Public Schools! I’m a 2020 Graduate of Van Buren High School and a 2024 graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education K-12. My primary instrument is French Horn, but you may find me playing all brass instruments, some woodwinds, and even percussion!
When I’m not teaching you can find me at home with my lovely wife Allison and our Cat Rootbeer and Callie our Dog. Or If I’m not there I’m out on a Disc Golf course enjoying nature and honing my game! Another passion of mine would be musical performance, and due to that passion I earned a spot in the Fort Smith Symphony and play 4th Horn."
We are excited to have Mr. Mack join the Mountainburg School District and share his passion for music with our students. We look forward to the creativity, enthusiasm, and opportunities he will bring to our elementary music program.
Welcome to the Dragon family, Mr. Mack!
From Mr. Mack: "Hello all! My name is Aaron Mack and I can’t wait to instill a love for music in the Moutainburg Public Schools! I’m a 2020 Graduate of Van Buren High School and a 2024 graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education K-12. My primary instrument is French Horn, but you may find me playing all brass instruments, some woodwinds, and even percussion!
When I’m not teaching you can find me at home with my lovely wife Allison and our Cat Rootbeer and Callie our Dog. Or If I’m not there I’m out on a Disc Golf course enjoying nature and honing my game! Another passion of mine would be musical performance, and due to that passion I earned a spot in the Fort Smith Symphony and play 4th Horn."
The Mountainburg Board of Education will close out the 2025-2026 school year with the final board meeting of the school year on Monday, June 15 @ 6:00 PM.
July 1 will begin the 2026-2027 school year.
Link to the June agenda: https://aptg.co/9SsP45
July 1 will begin the 2026-2027 school year.
Link to the June agenda: https://aptg.co/9SsP45
Saturday, June 13: In the event that our area goes under a thunderstorm warning or tornado warning, the storm shelter is open.
The storm shelter is located behind the Nolen/Harrell Fieldhouse at the north end of Dragon Stadium.
Be weather aware this evening and be safe!
The storm shelter is located behind the Nolen/Harrell Fieldhouse at the north end of Dragon Stadium.
Be weather aware this evening and be safe!
Sign ups for little league football and cheer are open! Please use the link to sign up, payment link will be added soon.
If you have questions: Amber Ridenoure @ amber.ridenoure@mountainburg.org
https://forms.gle/AtWyssFhRiWyAWJN6
2026 LADY DRAGON VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
We are excited to welcome Jaiden Morin back to MHS as our new Art Teacher. As an MHS alum, class of 2019, Ms. Morin is excited to bring creativity, enthusiasm, and a passion for inspiring students through the arts. We look forward to the talent, fresh ideas, and positive energy she will bring to the classroom and are thrilled to have her return to help shape the next generation of artists.
From Ms. Morin: "My name is Jaiden Morin, and I am the new Art Teacher at Mountainburg Middle and High School! This is my first year of teaching. I graduated from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in December of 2025 with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education K-6. I graduated high school from Mountainburg in 2019, so it's great to be back home. I am so excited to help fuel student's creativity and be a part of this team!"
From Ms. Morin: "My name is Jaiden Morin, and I am the new Art Teacher at Mountainburg Middle and High School! This is my first year of teaching. I graduated from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in December of 2025 with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education K-6. I graduated high school from Mountainburg in 2019, so it's great to be back home. I am so excited to help fuel student's creativity and be a part of this team!"
2026 DRAGON FOOTBALL SCHEDULES
Congratulations to the new 282 CDL Academy in Mountainburg on its Grand Opening! We are excited to welcome this new opportunity for workforce development and career training to our community. The academy will help prepare future commercial drivers with the skills and knowledge needed for success on the road. We wish them great success as they begin this exciting new chapter and serve students throughout the region.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Susan Fletcher to MHS as our new secretary. We are excited to have her join our school community and look forward to the experience, dedication, and positive energy she brings to the role. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself when you have the chance—we're thrilled to have her on the MHS team!
From Mrs. Fletcher: "I’m very excited to join the amazing staff of Mountainburg High School as the new secretary and look forward to serving the students and families of Mountainburg, as well as the staff. My husband and I met and married while living in Florida and spent many years in Minnesota, then Arkansas and even lived abroad in the United Kingdom for eleven years. We have two married children and five grandchildren. I love road trips, walking and hiking and generally being out in nature. I love dogs and would have many if we could! We owned a coffee shop in Northwest Arkansas for several years which included coffee roasting so coffee remains one of my favorite things! "
From Mrs. Fletcher: "I’m very excited to join the amazing staff of Mountainburg High School as the new secretary and look forward to serving the students and families of Mountainburg, as well as the staff. My husband and I met and married while living in Florida and spent many years in Minnesota, then Arkansas and even lived abroad in the United Kingdom for eleven years. We have two married children and five grandchildren. I love road trips, walking and hiking and generally being out in nature. I love dogs and would have many if we could! We owned a coffee shop in Northwest Arkansas for several years which included coffee roasting so coffee remains one of my favorite things! "
We are excited to welcome Ms. Julianna Gallagher to the Mountainburg Elementary family as our new Paraprofessional!
Ms. Gallagher brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a passion for supporting student success. We are thrilled to have her join our team and look forward to the positive impact she will make in our classrooms and throughout our school community.
From Ms. Gallagher: "My name is Julianna Gallagher and I am excited to join the Dragons this school year! I have a daughter and a son who are constantly keeping me on my toes with all the up to date trends. I might as well have three children my German Shepard Thor does not know he isn’t a human! I graduated from Alma in 2006. I have worked in early childhood for six years as a lead pre-k teacher. In my first year of teaching at Bost Children Services I found where my passion was.
I decided then to go back to college and obtained my Associate degree in early childhood from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Outside the classroom I enjoy spending time with my family. I absolutely love being outdoors and going fishing! One of my many weaknesses I have is cherry vanilla Dr Pepper !"
Please join us in giving Ms. Gallagher a warm Mountainburg Elementary welcome. We are excited for a wonderful year ahead!
Ms. Gallagher brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a passion for supporting student success. We are thrilled to have her join our team and look forward to the positive impact she will make in our classrooms and throughout our school community.
From Ms. Gallagher: "My name is Julianna Gallagher and I am excited to join the Dragons this school year! I have a daughter and a son who are constantly keeping me on my toes with all the up to date trends. I might as well have three children my German Shepard Thor does not know he isn’t a human! I graduated from Alma in 2006. I have worked in early childhood for six years as a lead pre-k teacher. In my first year of teaching at Bost Children Services I found where my passion was.
I decided then to go back to college and obtained my Associate degree in early childhood from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Outside the classroom I enjoy spending time with my family. I absolutely love being outdoors and going fishing! One of my many weaknesses I have is cherry vanilla Dr Pepper !"
Please join us in giving Ms. Gallagher a warm Mountainburg Elementary welcome. We are excited for a wonderful year ahead!
Mountainburg School District is excited to welcome Mr. Garrison Jensen as the Assistant Principal of Mountainburg Elementary School. As we continue our commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for our students, we are confident that Mr. Jensen will be a valuable addition to the Mountainburg Elementary team.
From Mr. Jensen: I am excited to join the administrative team at Mountainburg School District. I graduated from Alma High School in 2018 and then attended Ouachita Baptist University, where I played football and earned my bachelor’s degree. I later earned my master’s degree from Arkansas State University.
My wife, Maddi, and I have been married for 4 years. Upon her graduation from Law School in Little Rock, we moved to Mountainburg. We have enjoyed this beautiful town and can’t wait to serve the community through this school district.
Throughout my career in education, I have had the opportunity to serve students in two school districts as a substitute teacher, school bus driver, middle school teacher, and an elementary special education teacher. These experiences have strengthened my passion for supporting students, building relationships, and helping schools create positive learning environments where all students can succeed.
I believe in hard work, high expectations, and providing every student and staff member with the support they need to reach their full potential. I am honored to join Mountainburg Public Schools and look forward to working alongside the students, staff, families, and community. I am excited for the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to be a part of the Mountainburg family.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mr. Garrison Jensen.
From Mr. Jensen: I am excited to join the administrative team at Mountainburg School District. I graduated from Alma High School in 2018 and then attended Ouachita Baptist University, where I played football and earned my bachelor’s degree. I later earned my master’s degree from Arkansas State University.
My wife, Maddi, and I have been married for 4 years. Upon her graduation from Law School in Little Rock, we moved to Mountainburg. We have enjoyed this beautiful town and can’t wait to serve the community through this school district.
Throughout my career in education, I have had the opportunity to serve students in two school districts as a substitute teacher, school bus driver, middle school teacher, and an elementary special education teacher. These experiences have strengthened my passion for supporting students, building relationships, and helping schools create positive learning environments where all students can succeed.
I believe in hard work, high expectations, and providing every student and staff member with the support they need to reach their full potential. I am honored to join Mountainburg Public Schools and look forward to working alongside the students, staff, families, and community. I am excited for the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to be a part of the Mountainburg family.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mr. Garrison Jensen.
