Brian Skinner is an interrelated special education teacher, grades 9-12, for Newton Schools USD 373, as an employee of the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative in Newton, Kansas. He has been teaching since August 2013 and currently serves as Newton High School’s special education department chair.

Skinner has also served as the Individualized Education Plan case manager for Project SEARCH, a one- year program that focuses exclusively on vocational skills within the community for students with significant disabilities who have completed their high school academic program.

Outside of the special education department, Skinner has several other teaching experiences. He was a general education English instructor for Newton’s virtual program from 2016 through 2020 and served as adjunct history professor at Bethel College in 2017.

Within USD 373, Skinner is a leader. He started and expanded co-teaching in Newton High School’s English department in 2017, has been Newton’s Scholars’ Bowl coach since 2015 and has served as a concessions manager since 2014. Skinner is also on the building leadership team, Newton’s site council and serves as chair of Newton’s Freshmen Success Student Learning team. Skinner says, “Working with students across such a wide spectrum helps me to best understand all students and have a larger impact in helping build a positive school culture.”

Skinner holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Bethel College and a Master of Teaching and Learning from Friends University. He is also an active member at the local, regional and state level of the National Education Association.