Menu
R-5 district welcomes new staff
By Nancy Malcom
Nevada Daily Mail
Nevada schools continue to grow and maintain the degree of excellence they are known for throughout the state, school official say, noting that this year's crop of new teachers display the training and commitment that Nevada students and teachers have come to expect, officials said.
Bryan Elementary School has more than 400 preschool, kindergarten and first grade students.
It is a National Blue Ribbon and Gold Star School with Debbie Spaur as principal. There are six new staff members this year.
Kayla Bartlett is a first grade teacher. A graduate of Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor of Science, this is her first year teaching. She wanted to teach at Bryan because she had been a student there and had a great experience. She said she really liked the people and the curriculum.
Kelly Hardin is a first grade teacher for the first time at Bryan this year.
Lindsey Cameron lives in Rich Hill and received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University. She has been teaching for two-and-a-half years. This is her first year in the R-5 school system and she teaches kindergarten. She was a student teacher in Nevada two years ago and said she really enjoyed this district.
Rita Wheeler is a first grade teacher who lives in Fort Scott. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education at Pittsburg State University. This is her first year as a teacher. She also was a student teacher at Bryan and was very impressed with the school and staff. She knew that this was the kind of school at which she wanted to teach.
Autumn Mitchell is a kindergarten teacher who attended both Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University to obtain a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education. She chose to teach in Nevada because she was impressed with the school district. She spends her spare time with her family and scuba diving or riding a four-wheeler.
Alicia Weber teaches art for kindergarten through second grade at both Bryan and Benton schools. A Vernon County native, she graduated from the University of Lamoni, Iowa, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Visual Communication. She has been teaching for one year.
"Teaching is a great challenge and I am very excited to accept that challenge in the Nevada School District. This year will be great," Weber said.
Benton Elementary School has almost 200 second grade students with Misti Raney as principal. There are three new teachers there.
Melody Beasley is a first-year classroom teacher who lives in Butler. She received a degree in early childhood education from University of Missouri.
She chose Nevada R-5 for her first teaching job because she feels the school district is excellent, which makes the teaching more enjoyable.
Shannon Miner is teaching for her first time since graduating Pittsburg State University with a Bachlor of Science in Elementary Education. She lives in Fort Scott with her husband, Robert, who is also a teacher in Pleasanton, Kan. Her hobbies include reading, walking her dog, Pete, and attending school sporting events her husband coaches. She did her student teaching in Nevada and was impressed with the curriculum and staff.
"I look forward to this year and have felt very welcomed by the district. Nevada is a great place to be," Miner said.
Ali O'Dell lives in Fort Scott and attended Pittsburg State University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. This is her first teaching opportunity following her student teaching at Truman last semester. She chose Nevada R-5 because she was impressed with the strong curriculum, high expectations of students and the supportive administration. Her hobbies include reading, movies and spending time with friends and family.
Truman Elementary has Diann Marti as principal, with an enrollment of almost 600 students in third, fourth and fifth grades.
There are five new teachers at Truman this year.
Joy McCallister is a fifth grade teacher who recently moved to Nevada and was raised in rural Vernon County. She attended Cottey College and received an associates degree in arts, then Northwest Missouri State University for a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Southwest Baptist University for a Master of Science in Education.
This is her first year as a classroom teacher. She chose Nevada R-5 schools because Nevada is close to her family and the school district has an outstanding reputation. In her spare time she enjoys reading and baking. She is anxious to become a part of the community and start attending a local church. She looks forward to being a member of teaching associations.
As a Cottey College alumna she is thrilled to be back in Nevada.
"Everyone I have encountered in the Nevada school district has been very helpful and supportive. I look forward to a wonderful year with an amazing group of students and colleagues," she said.
Amber Cowen lives in Fort Scott and attended Fort Scott Community College for two years, then transferred to Pittsburg State to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis on early childhood education. This is her first year teaching. She teaches third grade. She chose Nevada because she had been a student teacher here and that had been a good experience for her.
Hailey Gillis has lived in Nevada for almost a year. She attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg to receive a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in social studies. This is her first year as a teacher and she teaches fourth grade. She chose Nevada because she heard wonderful things about the district, staff and students. Her husband of one year is a first-year teacher in Amoret, Mo.
"I am very excited about the school year. I think fourth grade is a wonderful age to teach. My class and I have many fun and exciting lessons and projects planned."
Amber Lewis lives in Fort Scott and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education at Pittsburg State University. She is teaching third grade as her first teaching job since graduation. She chose Nevada because she feels it is an excellent school district that gives a quality education to each student. The very supportive staff and administration also swayed her decision.
"I am very excited to teach in the R-5 school district. The first few days have gone smoothly and I have a wonderful third grade class!"
Dustin Miller is a first year fifth grade teacher. He commutes to Nevada from the Fort Scott area. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Pittsburg State University. He chose Nevada because of the professional faculty, the supportive community and its excellent facilities. Married 14 years to his high school sweetheart, he has four boys. His hobbies include outdoor activities and spending time with his family.
"I anticipate a great year based upon the students' readiness to learn and the tremendous support system I have experienced at Truman," he said.
Nevada Middle School is a 1997-'98 Missouri Gold Star school with principal Dr. Steve Beckett and almost 600 students attending grades six through eight.
There are seven new members of the middle school team this year.
Adrianne Rogers is a para-professional who has lived in Lamar for 23 years.
She graduated Lamar High School then earned a degree in psychology at Crowder College in Neosho. She has been teaching for more than three years, working in the special education department in Lamar and as a paraprofessional in Nevada. She chose Nevada schools because here she feels she is a member of a family. The students are great and make her feel wanted and appreciated.
She has been married for more than a year, has no children, and spends her free time outside as much as possible or working on input tuners, painting, gardening and photography.
"Life is full of opportunities, grab one and run!" she said.
Michelle Hutchison works in the Special Education Department as a paraprofessional. She is a Vernon County native and graduated from Crowder College with a associate's degree in psychology. This is her second year of teaching. Her hobbies include traveling, photography and shopping. Married for 13 years, she has three children and enjoys time with her family.
She chose Nevada because it provides many essential tools needed to create a positive learning environment.
"This is one of the few districts where it is possible to refer to our work as a 'calling' rather than a 'job.' That in itself is rewarding enough," she said.
Samantha Gillmore is a first year teacher teaching sixth through eighth grade students in a VPL lab as part of the A+ program. She has lived in Nevada for 10 years. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a bachelor of science degree.
"We moved to Nevada because of the school system. I wanted my children to go to school here."
Amy Switzer teaches seventh grade science and keyboarding. A Nevada High School graduate, she received degrees from the University of Missouri in St. Louis and Missouri Southern State University, and she completed graduate school with the Missouri State University with a Masters in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for nine years.
A mother of 4-year-old twins, she moved back to Nevada where her family lives and because she wanted her children to have what she knows to be an excellent school system.
"I look forward to working with such a wonderful staff at the middle school. I really have a great group of students to work with as well. I'm looking forward to a great year at Nevada R-5," she said.
Cindy Irwin is a Nevada native and this is her first year as a paraprofessional in special education. She chose Nevada because she feels it is a great place and because youngest her daughter attends Nevada schools.
Her hobbies include spending time with her husband and two daughters, being involved in Clayton 4-H, horseback riding, and reading. "I am having a wonderful time! The kids are great." Irwin said.
Bill Holland has lived in this area for three years. He is a special services teacher and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education at Pittsburg State University. He has been teaching for five years. He chose Nevada because he feels it is one of, if not the, top schools in the state. His wife, Juli, teaches Nevada High School, and the couple has four children. He likes to read, fish and work in the garden.
"I am looking forward to a great school year. I've always heard about the great kids at Nevada Middle School and now I get to be a part of the excitement. Adjusting to the middle school is easy when you have such a fantastic staff to work with," Holland said.
Sandy McCall is a secretary and has lived in this area for 13 years. She received a degree in secretarial science from Missouri Southern State University. She chose to work in the R-5 school district because she likes the school environment. In her spare time she enjoys family activities and school events. She and her husband stay busy with their three children.
Nevada High School is a Designated A+ high school by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Bryan Thomsen is principal, with about 800 students.
There are two new faces at the high school this year. Coach Tobby Eldridge has lived in Vernon County for two months. He received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry and minors in biology, math and teaching from Eastern New Mexico University. He has been teaching for five years. He teaches ninth grade biology. His wife had a job opportunity in Nevada and that is why he chose to teach at Nevada R-5. He enjoys all sports and spending time with his wife and one year old son.
T. J. Lakin teaches forensics, drama, speech and debate. He attended Washburn University, Syracuse Univer-sity and Pittsburg State University and this is his fourth year as a teacher. He chose Nevada for its Debate and Forensics program and dedication to excellence.
Nevada Regional Technical School is composed of two campuses, one on Ashland Street and the North Campus located by the YMCA. Sean Smith is the director, and Janis Collins as adult and community education coordinator located at the North Campus the two facilities teaches students from pre-schoolers to adults.
There are two new instructors this year: Brenda Geeding is a paraprofessional teaching culinary arts.
She has spent more than five years in Nevada and has been a para professional for five years. She worked in Seneca schools as an Title I para-library aide and food service clerk. She and her husband liked the Nevada area and moved here. She has three children and enjoys spending time with her family and going to her children's activities.
"I was told wonderful things about this job and they are all true," Geeding said.
Pat Pickett is a registered nurse who has lived in Nevada five years. Teaching practical nursing in Nevada is her first teaching assignment.
She received her licensed practical nursing credential from Colby Community College then her degree as a registered nurse at Fort Scott Community College.
In December she will receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pittsburg State University. Married to her high school sweetheart nearly 38 years, she has two grown children and six grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, quilting, restoring old homes, camping, hiking and fishing.
"The R-5 school district is both positive and supportive," Pickett said.
Craig Noah, R-5 superintendent and himself a new face in the district this year, said, "Nevada R-5 has a long history of recruiting and hiring the best staff available. This year's group continues that tradition of excellent classroom teachers that will do wonderful things for our students."