We are proud to recognize Denise Kieffaber as our April Sub of the Month!

Since joining Morgan Hunter in 2023, Denise has quietly made an incredible impact. She consistently picks up assignments on her own and has been a tremendous support across every school in the Piper School District this year. In fact, she has received positive feedback from at least one teacher at every school where she has worked this school year—a true testament to her dedication and professionalism.

Denise goes above and beyond for both students and staff. She is exceptional with communication—whether it’s proactively entering her non-workdays, promptly responding to emails, completing assignment feedback, or leaving detailed notes for classroom teachers. Her reliability and thoroughness make her a standout substitute. Thank you, Denise—we are truly lucky to have you on the team!

Denise has lived on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area her entire life. She and her husband, Chris, have a blended family that includes three amazing adult children and six wonderful grandchildren. She especially enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, along with reading, listening to audiobooks during walks, tending to her flower gardens, and being with family.

A retired middle school math teacher, Denise brings over 30 years of experience from the Turner School District, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, and the Olathe School District. She understands firsthand how challenging it can be for teachers to be away from their classrooms, which is why she approaches substitute teaching with such care and intention.

Denise began substitute teaching in 2023 to earn extra income for travel and to help support schools facing a substitute shortage. One of her favorite parts of the job is when students recognize her in the halls, remember her name, or greet her with a hug or high five. She also values hearing from teachers who appreciate the work she’s done in their classrooms.

To set each day up for success, Denise arrives early to review lesson plans and prepare. In elementary classrooms, she creates seating charts when needed to quickly learn students’ names. She makes it a priority to greet students at the door and build connections, regardless of age. At the end of the day, she leaves detailed notes about lessons, student behavior, and any important updates. And during any downtime, Denise checks in with the office to see how she can further assist.

Thank you, Denise, for all you do for our schools!