Home of the Hawks
Administration
Mr. Tyler Hays, Principal
Tyler Hays joined USD 232 in 2026 as the principal of Mize Elementary.
Mr. Hays began his teaching career in 2015 in the Leavenworth School District. After a year in Leavenworth, he worked nine years in the Lansing School District, followed by one year in the Shawnee Mission School District.
During Mr. Hays’ teaching career, he taught third grade, fifth grade, sixth grade science and literature, and eighth grade science and literature. Mr. Hays also coached middle school football for three years. In addition to his teaching and coaching career, Mr. Hays served as the assistant principal of Lansing Elementary for three years before transitioning to USD 232.
Mr. Hays is currently working on a doctorate in educational leadership from Baker University, has a master's degree in educational leadership from Baker University, and has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Northwest Missouri State University.
Mr. Hays and his wife have been married since 2022, and their first child was born in 2024. He is an avid fan of the Missouri Tigers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the St. Louis Cardinals. In addition to being a sports fan, Mr. Hays loves to read and is passionate about continuous learning.
Suzanne Balish, Building Coordinator
Suzanne (Suzie) Balish joined USD 232 in 2026 as the building coordinator at Mize Elementary. As an instructional leader, she is honored to serve the Mize community and proud to be part of the Hawk family. Mrs. Balish is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and student-centered school where strong relationships and a shared focus on learning empower every student and educator to thrive.
Before joining USD 232, Mrs. Balish served as a reading and math interventionist in USD 207 for three years. She also worked as an RTI teacher in the Indian River Central School District in upstate New York and taught both second and fifth grade.
Mrs. Balish earned a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Emporia State University in 2026 and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from the State University of New York Potsdam in 2016.
Outside of school, Mrs. Balish enjoys spending time with her husband, Erick, who serves in the U.S. Army, and their two sons, Ryan and Brody. Whether at the ice rink cheering on her boys or spending time outdoors with family, she values creating meaningful connections both in and out of school.