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MLC-winners-2025
Hailey Sebahar

The Modern Learning Conference took place this Monday and Tuesday, and it was a great success!

Read the Record Courier Article

Watch the Award Nomination Videos

Along with celebrating our incredible educators, Douglas County School District was honored with the Infinity Award for our work and implementation of the Portrait of a Learner, and Jacks Valley Elementary School received the Innovation Award for their Explorations program.

Read the Record Courier Article

Watch the Award Nomination Videos

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  • BOARD
Hailey Sebahar

1. How long have you been involved with Douglas County School District? 3 years.

2. What motivated you to run for the Board of Trustees? With declining enrollment, truancy at a high rate and State testing scores in a decline and the need of more parental control of their children and my wife as a retired teacher, I hoped to help the district turn things around for the goal of students graduating, to be more successful in their lives.

3. What’s your favorite part about serving as a Trustee? Meeting and working with a great district staff and the best teachers and overall employees dedication to the success of students.

4. What is your favorite memory or experience with Douglas County schools?

Working with our outstanding new Superintendent and office staff.

5. Where did you grow up, and where did you go to school? I grew up in Western Michigan, lower Peninsula and spent all my years in Holton public schools in Muskegon County.

6. Who was your favorite teacher or mentor growing up, and why? Mr. Griener! He displayed and required honesty and integrity and self discipline from all his students. All his classes were electives and they were always full.

7. What is your vision for Douglas County School District? To return to being the educational lighthouse of the state and add professional trade school classes and opportunities as alternatives to college.

8. How do you stay connected with the schools in the district? Mostly with and through our Superintendent and his staff and listening to our teachers, principles and classified employees and students. The trustees job is to create policies and direction of our education system for our schools. We operate as a group of trustees, not to micromanage the schools but to work hand in hand with our Superintendent.

9. What are your favorite local spots in the community? Our church is our most favorite place to fellowship with wonderful loving people. Food is always a favorite, especially when eating with our friends.

10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Travel and camping. My wife and I and our 4 legged children love to travel and meet new people.

11. What’s a hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about? I to encourage and help young people and build them up in who they are and what they can be. My wife says I have the gift to gab but i think every one knows that.

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Back to Canada and Alaska by means of cruise ship.

13. What’s something on your bucket list that you’re excited to accomplish? I have been to most every state in the union and i would like to complete seeing the rest.

14. If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be? Typing, in todays world it is becoming more important.

15. What’s your go-to karaoke song? None....you dont want to hear that, nobody does....lol.

16. What do you think makes Douglas County schools special? Our unique communities. We have an amazing blend of different backgrounds and that shows in our schools. The one thing and most importantly is our amazing employees.

mlc25
Hailey Sebahar

Douglas County School District is proud to co-host the annual Modern Learning Conference on February 24-25, 2025, alongside Churchill County School District. Learn More

Over 300 educators from across the U.S. will visit classrooms at Jacks Valley Elementary, Minden Elementary, Pau Wa Lu Middle School, and Douglas High School to see personalized learning strategies in action. DCSD has been recognized as a national leader in personalized learning and is also a finalist for the Innovation Award, with seven additional staff members nominated for teaching and leadership awards.

Visit Website

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Hailey Sebahar

DCSD has expanded its Portrait of a Learner initiative, which focuses on the values of Empower, Prepare, Inspire, and Connect (EPIC), by installing highway banners along Highway 395 in Gardnerville.

These banners, featuring students from each DCSD school, showcase how learners embody EPIC through their achievements and daily lives.

The project was a collaborative effort between the district, the Town of Gardnerville, and students. A group of students helped design the banners, contributing their creativity and ideas. On installation day, Paxton R., an 8th grader from Carson Valley Middle School, joined the crew as the banners went up.

This initiative is part of DCSD’s commitment to bringing the Portrait of a Learner to life throughout the community. Learn more at dcsd.net/portrait

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  • CONNECT
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  • BOARD
Hailey Sebahar

1. How long have you been involved with Douglas County School District? 10 years and counting!

2. What motivated you to run for the Board of Trustees? My children attend our schools, and I believe every student deserves to feel seen and valued. As a board member, my responsibility is to create policies and procedures that enable every student to thrive in life after leaving Douglas County Schools.

3. What’s your favorite part about serving as a Trustee? I loved congratulating our graduating classes as they crossed the stage. Visiting each school and witnessing all the incredible things happening in Douglas County Schools is another highlight for me.

4. What is your favorite memory or experience with Douglas County schools? One of my favorite memories during my time serving so far was handing my daughter her diploma and giving her a big hug—it was such a special moment! I also really enjoyed taking part in the mock interviews hosted by DHS and Aspire for our students. It fills me with hope for the future, seeing how well-prepared each of them is for life after high school.

5. Where did you grow up, and where did you go to school? I grew up in Texas and moved to Idaho the summer between my junior and senior year. It was hard moving across the country, however, it quickly became home, and I enjoyed my senior year and made lasting friendships.

6. Who was your favorite teacher or mentor growing up, and why? My senior year English teacher, Mr. Hutcherson, made a huge impact on me. I was never very strong in reading or writing, but he was incredible at encouraging me to push myself to improve. Now, I have a deep love for reading—though I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like, I credit that passion to him.

7. What is your vision for Douglas County School District? I want every student to feel as though they’re receiving a private school education within a public school setting. Every student, no matter their circumstances, deserves the highest quality education.

8. How do you stay connected with the schools in the district? Having children in the schools is a tremendous advantage! It gives me a firsthand perspective on what’s truly happening within our schools. I also love visiting each school site and connecting with the students and staff.

9. What are your favorite local spots in the community? Our family loves being out on the lake, doesn’t matter which one—boating or playing, we enjoy it all!

10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Spending time with my family is by far my favorite—doesn’t matter what we do, just being together brings me great joy!

11. What’s a hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about? I love floral design. I actually went to school for it, but don’t get to do it as often as I would like. Also, it’s silly, but I can sing my ABCs backwards really fast.

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?  I would love to travel around Europe and see historical sights. I think history is fascinating.

13. What’s something on your bucket list that you’re excited to accomplish? I would love to see and enjoy the Northern Lights. I know it seems simple, however, to me it would be magnificent!

14. If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be? I wish I could sit down at my piano and play any piece of music instantly, without spending weeks or even months trying to learn it.

15. What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Try Everything” by Shakira.

16. What do you think makes Douglas County schools special? We are a small, close-knit community, where every student matters. I know our staff is dedicated to connecting with each student, making them feel valued and supported. Being part of a smaller community allows us to focus on the individual needs of each student. Are we perfect? No, but as a district, we are constantly striving for improvement. As long as we remain committed to this ongoing goal, we will continue to grow and succeed.