Side Menu Ends, main content for this page beginsBack to Side Menu (includes search)
Warrior Sweethearts: Celebrating Love in Lebanon!
Posted on: February 24, 2025
The week of Valentine's Day, we celebrated Love in Lebanon by highlighting some of our married staff couples:
Brittany & Nick Stotts
Brittany and Nick Stotts, both 5th-grade math and science teachers at Berry Intermediate, have been a team for 10 years, married for four. Nick, a Warrior grad, has been teaching at Berry for seven years, while Brittany joined the team four years ago. Though they work together, the couple surprisingly doesn’t see much of each other during the day. But they make the most of their time before and after school, planning lessons and collaborating to ensure they get their work done. They often arrive early and stay late to keep their work at school and maintain a good separation between home and school life—a balance they’ve gotten better at over the years.
Teaching the same grade means they can co-plan lessons for the students they share, which is a big help in their busy schedules. The biggest challenge they face is balancing child care if one of their children is sick, but they’ve learned to make it work. They’re truly a great team, knowing they couldn’t do everything they do without each other’s support—and they never take one another for granted.
A fun fact that might surprise people: Brittany and Nick eloped! Instead of having a traditional wedding, they got married in Red River Gorge at the top of Chimney Top Rock.
Their advice to other couples? "Make time for each other and use that time to communicate openly." Brittany adds that they try to go for a walk together every day after school, using that time to talk and reconnect.
The Stotts family lives in Lebanon and has two future Warriors—Emi (3) and Graham (6 months).
Trent & Corrie Burns
Trent and Corrie Burns are both proud Warrior alums who grew up in Lebanon. They got married in Lebanon on the day of the Horse Carriage Parade, making it a day full of local tradition and personal meaning. Trent is an Intervention Specialist at Lebanon High School, while Corrie holds the same role at Bowman Primary. Their shared career path has fostered a special connection, allowing them to support each other and collaborate both professionally and personally.
Trent and Corrie Burns are both proud Warrior alums who grew up in Lebanon. They got married in Lebanon on the day of the Horse Carriage Parade, making it a day full of local tradition and personal meaning. Trent is an Intervention Specialist at Lebanon High School, while Corrie holds the same role at Bowman Primary. Their shared career path has fostered a special connection, allowing them to support each other and collaborate both professionally and personally.
To maintain a healthy balance between their work and home lives, the couple intentionally gives their children the time and attention they deserve. This helps them disconnect from their teacher roles and fully embrace their parent roles when they’re at home.
A fun fact people may not know about Trent and Corrie is that they also work together as realtors in the evenings, weekends, and summers! “We loved working together so much in school that now we work together in real estate,” Corri said.
Their advice to other couples? “Find someone who brings out the best in you and never settle.”
Jesse Murnahan & Carrie Vaughn
Jesse Murnahan and Carrie Vaughn are getting married this summer! Jesse is the district’s Network Administrator, a role he’s held for 17 years, while Carrie is an 8th-grade science teacher at Lebanon Junior High and has been in that role for 22 years. They met at work, with Jesse helping Carrie with tech issues. Over time, they saw each other at staff get-togethers, became Facebook friends, and discovered a shared love for hiking and live music. Two and a half years later, they’re making wedding plans!
Jesse Murnahan and Carrie Vaughn are getting married this summer! Jesse is the district’s Network Administrator, a role he’s held for 17 years, while Carrie is an 8th-grade science teacher at Lebanon Junior High and has been in that role for 22 years. They met at work, with Jesse helping Carrie with tech issues. Over time, they saw each other at staff get-togethers, became Facebook friends, and discovered a shared love for hiking and live music. Two and a half years later, they’re making wedding plans!
The best relationship advice they ever received is: “Being in a relationship means learning about each other’s interests and feelings, always honoring them, and being a good listener.” Their advice to other couples is to be vulnerable and communicate openly, as holding things in can quickly create tension.
“We wouldn’t be together without Lebanon!” Carrie said.
Brian and Caroline Kindell
It was a moment neither Brian nor Caroline will ever forget. In 2003, while Caroline was making copies at the old Holbrook Elementary School, her eyes locked with a tan, blue-eyed man across the room—and the rest, as they say, is Warrior Sweetheart history! Brian, currently a physical education teacher at Lebanon Junior High, and Caroline, currently a kindergarten teacher at Bowman Primary School, went on their first date just a week after meeting, got engaged nine months later, and are now celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary this summer!
Their story is full of memorable moments—like when Brian proposed to Caroline in Venice, Italy, on a Gondola. And while on their honeymoon in Riviera Maya, they got stuck in Hurricane Emily! They were forced to leave their resort and stay at another, but to top it all off, they couldn’t bring all of their luggage with them. They didn’t get it back until two months later!
Brian and Caroline’s advice to other couples? "Communication and compromise are key to a successful relationship," they say.
The couple moved to Lebanon in 2009 to raise their daughters in a community they love. They feel proud to be part of the Warrior family, cherishing the schools and the amazing community they’ve made their home.
Chris & Amanda Gemperline
Chris and Amanda Gemperline have been together for 22 years and are celebrating their 17th year of marriage. Both work at Lebanon Junior High School—Chris as a STEM teacher and Amanda as an Intervention Specialist. They love working together, especially because it’s fun to share many of the same students. "There are so many positives to working in the same district, but the best part is that we’re on the same work schedule," Amanda said. "Since we're in the same building, we can sometimes drive to work together too."
The couple values communication as the foundation of their relationship. The best advice they ever received? "Talk to each other—communication is essential," they both agreed.
A fun fact that might surprise people: Amanda has built more LEGO sets than Chris during their 22 years together!
Scott & Brittanie Taylor
Scott and Brittanie Taylor's journey together began at the University of Cincinnati in 2014, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They’ve been together for 10 years and have been married for five. Scott is Lebanon Junior High’s Athletic Director and works as an aide in the building, while Brittanie is a substitute teacher at Donovan Elementary School.
Scott and Brittanie Taylor's journey together began at the University of Cincinnati in 2014, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They’ve been together for 10 years and have been married for five. Scott is Lebanon Junior High’s Athletic Director and works as an aide in the building, while Brittanie is a substitute teacher at Donovan Elementary School.
Working together for five years has been an enriching experience for the couple. They enjoy being part of the same school community and share a deep connection to Lebanon. Scott, a proud Warrior alum, says it’s especially meaningful for him to now be working in the district. The couple is excited to one day see their son follow in Scott’s footsteps and become a Warrior as well!
Lebanon holds a special place in the Taylors’ hearts, and they are grateful for the opportunities it has provided both professionally and personally.
TJ & Lindsay Collins
TJ and Lindsay Collins share a deep bond—not just in their marriage but also in their careers at Berry Intermediate School. TJ is a 6th grade science teacher, and Lindsay teaches 5th grade math and science. Married for eight years, the couple says they spend every moment together—and wouldn't have it any other way! "We honestly cannot remember the last time we weren’t together doing something," Lindsay said. "Our 'me-time' is always with each other."
Working together has its perks: they love being able to see the same students and get to know both sides of their classroom experience. "We can bounce ideas off each other and collaborate on many different things," Lindsay shared.
They also enjoy the chance to see each other throughout the day. "It's also great to carpool together—it gives us that time away from our own children to talk and connect."
Even when they drive separately, they still stay connected by phone. "Surprisingly, we never tire of each other!" Lindsay said with a laugh.
The couple has three young children—Charlee (7), Rhett (5), and Ryker (4). Despite their busy family life, they’re also competitive: they wake up at 4:30 a.m. every day to work out together in their garage. And yes, there's a daily competition of who can beat the other to the garage to start the workout!
TJ and Lindsay’s advice to other couples: "Always be each other’s best friend. Always make time for each other because the years go fast!"
Jose Garcia and Isabel del Valle
This Warrior couple's journey from Spain to Lebanon has been nothing short of unexpected and heartwarming! Jose teaches second-grade Spanish Immersion at Bowman Primary School, and Isabel teaches third-grade Spanish Immersion at Donovan Elementary School. Originally, they planned to stay in Lebanon for just one school year, but seven years later, they’re still here, with two children and a life they never fully expected—but truly cherish.
They love working in the same district, not only for their daily routines but also for the long breaks during Christmas and summer. The ability to travel back to Spain during the summer is a highlight, and having the same calendar makes it all easier.
From day one, the couple felt welcomed into the Lebanon community, especially within the Spanish Immersion program. They say the support from families has been incredible, with some even welcoming them into their homes and lives. This sense of belonging has strengthened their connection to the community and deepened their bond as a couple—eventually leading them to build a family of their own.
Jose and Isabel will always hold Lebanon and the Spanish Immersion program close to their hearts. Their advice to other couples: "Respect, love, and support one another—because a relationship is more than just a partnership; it’s a team, a foundation, and, most importantly, a family."
Ryan and Susanne Taylor
Ryan started his career in Lebanon teaching third grade at Holbrook before moving to Donovan to teach fifth grade. In the fall of 1999, he moved to Berry to teach, then to Lebanon Junior High School to teach 8th grade history. Throughout his career, Ryan has coached football, wrestling, and baseball. Susanne joined our district in the fall of 2000; she taught history at the junior high for 7th grade. Since 2013 she has taught at history at Lebanon High School.
The Taylors’ connection to Lebanon runs deep. Their two sons, Scott and Nick, both graduated from Lebanon and now work in the district too! Scott is an aide and the Athletic Director at the Junior High, while his wife, Brittanie, is a substitute at Donovan Elementary School. Nick teaches history at Lebanon High School, just across the hall from his mom! Nick recently got engaged, adding another chapter to the Taylor family’s Lebanon story.
Mark & Margo Graler
Mark has worked in Lebanon for 20 years and is the Assistant Superintendent, and Margo has worked here for 11 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist at Bowman Primary School. The pair met at Miami University in 1994—Mark would try to get Margo’s attention by throwing math manipulatives at her head. He was also known for stealing her breakfast—a salt bagel with cream cheese—from Miami’s Bagel & Deli. They’ve been together for 26 years. They enjoy working in the same district, and while their different buildings and roles mean they don’t collaborate often, they love sharing the same work calendar and occasionally carpooling.
Rob & Kristen Hodges
Since 1998, Rob has taught art at Lebanon High School. Kristen is a preschool intervention specialist at Bowman Primary School, a position she has held since 2014. They joke that Kristen teaches the youngest Warriors at Bowman, while Rob teaches the oldest at the high school. The pair met during their senior year of college at Ohio University in 1997 and have been married for 25 years. They love working and living in Lebanon, and their two sons are Lebanon grads: Brock, Class of 2022, and Mitchell, Class of 2024. Being part of the Lebanon community as both educators and parents has been especially meaningful for Rob and Kristen.
Shawn & Bethanie Lamb
This Warrior couple is celebrating 18 years of marriage this year! Both Shawn and Bethanie are social studies teachers at Lebanon High School. They worked together for seven years before they started dating. Fun fact: Shawn was the head football coach for years while Bethanie was the cheer coach! They have three children who attend Lebanon: Addison (a senior), Kylie (a sophomore), and Brady (a fourth grader). Bethanie says that if she needs to ask Shawn something, it’s so nice having his classroom right across the hall from hers.
Matt & Jennifer McIntire
Matt is an intervention specialist at Lebanon High School, and Jennifer teaches fourth grade math and science at Donovan Elementary. They met as students at Ohio State University and have been married for 13 years. They love working in the same district and having their children attend Lebanon schools. Matt also coaches in Lebanon. "Every year, we feel more connected with our community. Lebanon is a great place to work and raise a family," said Jennifer.
