SSD Special School District - Wyland Team
Katye Bowen
SSD Teacher K-5
bowenk@ritenourschools.org
Hello! My name is Katye Bowen, and I am excited to be a part of the Wyland team! I have been teaching for 15 years in general education and special education classrooms at the early childhood and elementary levels. Teaching is my passion, and I can not wait to get to know my students!
I have a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master's degree in Reading, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. I am certified in K-12 Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and Early Childhood Education.
When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and crafting. I am a huge Disney and Harry Potter fan.
Alice Douglas
Paraprofessional
douglasa@ritenourschools.org
This will be my 6th school year working at Wyland as an SSD Paraprofessional. I have been an educator over 35 years. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Lifetime Teacher's Certification for Missouri and Illinois. I enjoy every moment that I am working with all the children.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, watching my favorite TV programs, and spending time with my husband and daughter.
Kristen Merz
Paraprofessional Educator
merzk@ritenourschools.org
Hello, my name is Kristin Merz, but everyone calls me Krissy. I’ve been a para for over 20 years with Special School District working in Ritenour. Last year, I joined the Wyland family. It was an amazing year. I learned some new things and met new people. I have an associate's degree in early childhood education. When I am not working, I like to watch TV, go to the movies, hang out with friends, go out to eat, or just stay home and relax. I am looking forward to more great years with my Wyland family.
Tim Merritt
SSD Social Worker
Joules Honey
Resource
honeyj@ritenourschools.org
My name is Je T’aime Honey, and I'm happy to be part of the SSD Team at Wyland!
I work as a special educator by day and a board-certified music therapist by night. I have a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Howard University and a Master of Music in Music Therapy from University of Miami. I earned my teaching certification in Florida in 2018.
Mom to T’Challa the Yorkie, I also love plants, anime, mermaids, and coffee! If I'm not busy reading, ask me about my favorite movies and series!
I try to cultivate an environment where students feel safe enough to learn and hope to spark the love of reading in my students; because the more you read, the better you read and the better you read, the more you read.
Dahlia Garrett
Paraprofessional
leed@ritenourschools.org
Hello! I’m Dahlia Garrett. I’ve been part of the Wyland Dolphin family for the past 3 years. I have lived in Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida and Missouri. I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia College. I’ve been in Education for 19 years; first as a Secretary, then Teacher Assistant, ABA Paraprofessional, RBT, Teacher, and now SSD Teacher Assistant.
I love watching students grow academically and develop social skills. Away from school, I enjoy reading, walking, and volunteering with my church, Special Olympics, and SPENSA. I like most sports, especially football and basketball and since my hometown is Kansas City, I am a Chiefs and KU fan. I love spending time with my family and I also like musicals, learning foreign languages, and traveling. I'm a newlywed - I got married in November 2025!! Looking forward to a great school year!
Adrienne Schlake
Resource
schlakea@ritenourschools.org
My name is Adrienne Schlake, and I love being part of the Wyland team in my role as a special education resource teacher. My role has a unique benefit of being able to work with students across their elementary years, and I love watching their personalities and skills grow and blossom. I am certified to teach special education and general education (for which I attended UMSL), and I also hold a Master's degree and School Psychological Examiner certification, both achieved through Lindenwood University. I have been in education for 18 years, as a classroom teacher for the last 13.
When I am not at school, I love being with my family, reading, doing fun things around St. Louis, and traveling. My favorite things are coffee, houseplants, fall, pizza, Halloween, and the colors green and teal. I live nearby and my kids attend Ritenour. Being a positive member of the Overland and Ritenour community is important to me, and I believe we can succeed together.
Elizabeth Altepeter
SSD Resource Teacher
AltereterE@ritenourschools.org