All posts by Loretta George

Sara Jackman: New FSHS Social Studies Teacher

This is part of a series of profiles about the new teachers in our community.
Sara Jackman is the new Fort Scott High School Social Studies Teacher.
Name: Sara Jackman
Title of position: High School Social Studies Teacher
Education: BSE from Emporia State University
Experience: 15 years
Age: 37
Family: Husband Jay
Affiliations: Kansas National Education Association
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I enjoy working with students and seeing them grow.”
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
“Get to know my students and coworkers.”

Boer Goats: Good For 4-H and FFA Kids

The Boer Goats are coming! The Boer Goats are coming!

And due to a happenstance, they have been coming annually to Fort Scott for three years.

“This will be the third year ( the Heartland Showcase Boer Goat Sale)  will be held in Fort Scott as we are in the middle of the area of people raising Boer Goats,” Allen Warren, with the Bourbon County Fairgrounds Board, said.

What is a Boer Goat?

“The development of the Boer goat in the early 1900’s can be traced to the Dutch farmers of South Africa. Boer is a Dutch word meaning farmer.  With meat production setting the selection criteria, the Dutch farmers developed the Boer goat as a unique breed of livestock. The Boer goat has a rapid growth rate, excellent carcass qualities and is highly adapted to different environments,” according to  http://abga.org/about-abga/history/

“They (the Heartland Showcase Boer Goat Sale organizers) originally held their first sale in Columbus,” Warren said.

There was a lack of hotels and restaurants in Columbus, according to Warren.

“As some of the officers were on their way home to Nebraska, they drove through Fort Scott  and decided to see what kind of a Fairground  and facility we had to offer,” Warren said. “The next day they called the K-State Extension Office and got my telephone number.  This developed into the relationship we have today.  They feel our facilities and our community has a lot of what they were looking for.”

“We heard that they were a good location, centrally located. Fort Scott seemed to be the perfect fit,” Lisa Stripe, co-owner of the sale, said. “We generally have 12 different farms bringing their goats into the sale. Usually the crowd draws 100-150 people.”

The Stripes are from Humeston, Iowa.

“We personally got started because as a kid Ithought it would be fun to have some. Later, I bought some behind my husband’s back.”

“They are good animals  for kids in 4-H or FFA because they are gentle, the kids are less likely to get hurt versus a cow or calf.”

“I  would like to thank the businesses , the motels the fairgrounds,” Stripe said. “We couldn’t ask for a better place to have the sale.”

 

Viewing of the animals is from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, August 18 and again Sunday August 19. The sale will be Sunday at noon at the fairgrounds.
You may contact Lisa Stripe at 402-759-5497 or Jill Lanham at 402-984-8344 for more information about this event

 

Briana Blandamer: Intern For FortScott.Biz

Briana Blandamer is the new intern for FortScott.Biz.  Her focus is Fort Scott Community College.

Blandamer is an FSCC sophomore business major, who is a 2017 graduate of Fredonia High School.

Blandamer wanted to intern to get writing experience, and she will use that experience when she applies to law school in the future, she said.

Ideas for features for Blandamer can be sent to [email protected].

 

 

Alicia Hansen: New MS Social Studies Teacher

This is a series featuring new teachers in our community.
Alicia Hansen is the new Fort Scott Middle School Social Studies teacher.
Name: Alicia Hansen
Title of position: 8th Grade Social Studies
Education:
• Associates of Science from Fort Scott Community College
• Bachelors in History/Government from Pitt State
• Working on my Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Experience:
Four years in Gardner-
• Three years as an English as a Second Language teacher for 5th and 8th grade
• One year as a 7th grade Social Studies
Age: 29
Family:
Just got engaged! My two dogs, five cats (promise I’m not a crazy cat lady…), a “micro” pig, and five horses
Why did you choose education as a career?
I grew up participating in 4-H, and as I got older, my leadership projects started to revolve around how to help the younger kids in the club. I really enjoyed working with the kids, and have always been a history nerd, so I decided to combine the two into one and became a history teacher!
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
My main priority in the classroom is building positive relationships with the kids. I want them to know that there is at least one person in their life that truly cares about them and is in their corner whenever they need someone. Then comes The Declaration of Independence and the Civil War 😉

Sherry Lindsay: New Title 1 Teacher At Eugene Ware

Name: Sherry Lindsay
Title of position: Title Reading and Math at Eugene Ware Elementary School
Education: BS from MSU Springfield; MS from PSU Pittsburg.
Experience: 28 years
Family: She lives in Nevada, MO with husband, David. They have five sons, Matt Lindsay; Cody Claflin and his wife Taylor, and their two children Cade and Cameron; Colt Regers; Clay Regers and his wife Cydnee, and Jack Lindsay.
Why did you choose education as a career?
 My Aunt Helen was my fifth and six grade teacher and was a real inspiration to me, and one of the reasons I pursued teaching as a career. Her ability to guide students, her fairness, and her compassion made me want to provide the same things to my own students.
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
To develop connections and relationships with my students and to get to know the styles of learning that best suits them.

Arby’s Is Coming Mid-September

For those of you waiting for Arby’s Restaurant completion, it is coming.

“Although I can’t provide you with an exact date for our Grand Opening in Fort Scott, I’m told that we are indeed on track for a mid-September opening,” said Fred Fleischner, Vice President, Corporate Communications, United States Beef Corporation.

“We have hired a General Manager,” Fleischner said. “Her name is Cassandra Bosley from Fort Scott.”

“We still have openings we’re looking to fill,” he said.

The restaurant is located on South Main in what was the former Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant.

Arby’s is holding interviews every Tuesday afternoon, from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Sleep Inn & Suites conference room at 302 E. Wall Street in Fort Scott.

“We’ll be there for at least the next 2-4 weeks until our restaurant is closer to completion,” Fleischner said. “Those wishing to apply for work at this new Arby’s restaurant can also do so online at www.work4arbys.com.”

The contractor for the project is Coast to Coast Builders, Wichita.

 

New FSCC Biology Teacher: Heather Davis

 

Heather Davis is the biology instructor at Fort Scott Community College.

This is part of a series of profiles of new teachers in our community.

Dr. Heather Davis is the new biology instructor at Fort Scott Community College.

Name: Dr. Heather Davis

Title of position: Biology Instructor, Fort Scott Community College

Education: Fort Scott High School 2006, Associate of Science- Cowley College 2008, Bachelor of Science in Biology- Pittsburg State University 2010, Master of Science & Doctor of Chiropractic- Logan College 2014

Experience: No prior formal teaching experience, but extensive education and background in the sciences.

Age: 30

Family: Husband-Dr. Grant Hartman, children-Zoey (age 2) and Zeke (age 3 months), late father-Tom Davis, mother-Cindy Davis, parents-in-law- Brad and Robin Hartman, Grandparents-in-law-the late Ron Billiard and Karen Billiard.

Affiliations:

“I have been in private practice with my husband at Hartman Spine & Joint for three years practicing functional medicine, which relies extensively on knowledge of human biology, anatomy, physiology, laboratory evaluation, nutrition and performance. While I will still be practicing part time, I am excited to start my teaching career.”

Why did you choose education as a career?

“I found that in private practice, I was teaching patients one-on-one every single day, something I did not realize would happen to this extent. I finally recognized my passion for teaching and, paired with my love of science, formal teaching just made sense. It is also a way for me to be more involved in the community, develop relationships, influence more people, and be involved in something bigger.

What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?

“Ensure each and every student in my classroom develops a basic understanding of the world around them, lead more students to the sciences, and foster relationships with local high schools to enable students to work ahead.”

 

New FSCC Harley-Davidson Teacher: Alex Mason

This is part of a series of new teachers in our community.

Alex Mason is a new Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Technician Training and Development Program instructor at Fort Scott Community College.

Name: Alex Mason

Title of position: Harley-Davidson Instructor

Education: AAS FSCC Harley-Davidson

Experience: Technician at Gail’s Harley-Davidson, Grandview MO

Age: 28

Family: Wife is Holli Mason, a daughter, Lucy.  Parents are Steve and Kendell Mason.

Why did you choose education as a career?

“This is an opportunity for me to apply my skill set closer to home, so I may spend more time with my family.”

What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?

“Implementing my experience at an H-D dealership in order to help create better-prepared technicians for the field.”

New Eugene Ware Elementary School 5th-Grade Teacher: Abby Stepps

The is one of a series of profiles of new teachers in our community.

Abby Stepps is a new Fifth Grade Teacher at  Eugene Ware Elementary School.

Name: Abby Stepps
Title: 5th Grade Elementary Teacher
Education: Fort Scott Community College and at Pittsburg State University, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education.

Experience: She began teaching in 2009 in Nevada, MO. Taught in Fort Scott in 2012 one year, then Nevada in 2013 until the present.

Family: Husband, Trent Stepps, a Fort Scott Alumni and has two “beautiful daughters.”

Why did you become an educator?

“I once had a teacher make me feel as though I could conquer the world. She made me feel important and a part of something bigger than I was. Inside her classroom, I could be myself and at the same time anyone/anything I wanted to be, she IS the reason I chose education as my career, Mrs. Scott, 4th grade, in Neosho, Missouri.”

What is first on your list of priorities for the position?

“I hope to bring a feeling of newness and rigor to the 5th-grade crew at Eugene Ware. I am very excited to be working with such great teachers! This year will be wonderful!”

Free Grocery Pickup at Walmart: Not Yet

Walmart Fort Scott, 2500 S. Main.

Personal grocery shopping is coming to Fort Scott Walmart, but not anytime soon. Although communications from Walmart indicate otherwise.

Perhaps you were one who received a flyer recently from Walmart or saw the advertisement on TV, or received an email like below that said: “Free Grocery Pickup save you time and money.”

The following is the response from Walmart headquarters:

“Fort Scott will be getting Grocery Pickup, but not for some time,” Molly Blakeman, Walmart Media Relations Corporate Communications said. “The store closest to Fort Scott that currently offers the service is store number 5791 in Pittsburg KS, 30 miles away.”

   Free Grocery Pickup save you time & money.
Walmart Grocery
Try Grocery Pickup today
$10 off your first order*
Use code WOWFRESH at checkout.
Grill & chill
Grill & chill
Order online & let us do the shopping. You’ll get the same low prices as in stores & there’s never a membership fee. We’ll even load your car.
Get started

 

 

 

New FSHS Language Arts Teacher: Erica Clark

Erica Clark

This is part of a series of profiles of new teachers in our community.

Erica Clark is the new Fort Scott High School English Language Arts Teacher.
Name: Erica Clark
Title of position: English Language Arts
Education: Bachelor of Science in English Education, Pittsburg State University, May 2018
Experience: 1st-year teacher.  She interned and student taught in Nevada, MO,  from August 2017-May18.
Age: 29
Family: Husband, Drew Clark,  a sales manager at  Win-Vent, Fort Scott. They have a set of twins, Bryson and Laurali,  8-years-old in July. “They are excited to begin third grade at Eugene Ware this year.”
Affiliations:
“I worked as an eye technician at Quinlan Eye Center for 7 years. The last four of those years, my employer worked around my school schedule as I pursued a degree in English Education.”
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I have always loved all things literary – writing is a passion of mine. Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to become an educator. My heart has always been set on inspiring students to become the best version of themselves. It wasn’t until about five years ago when I decided to pursue this dream. I was able to mix my passions of reading and writing with my desire to help lead tomorrow’s leaders and become an English teacher – nothing is better than that!”
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
“I am excited to become a part of this community. My priorities right now include developing positive relationships with my students, their families, and my colleagues. I am so excited to start this new journey at Fort Scott High School. “

New FSHS Spanish Teacher: Jennifer Michaud

Jennifer Michaud
This is one of a series of profiles of new teachers in our community.
Jennifer Michaud is the new Fort Scott High School Spanish Teacher.
Name:  Jennifer Michaud
Title of position:  Spanish
Education:  B.S. from Kansas State University; Beginning work on her Master’s Degree this fall.
Experience:
“I started teaching upon graduation in January 2000.  I have eight years of formal classroom experience at the middle and high school levels…eight years of early childhood education.  I have also taught religious education since 2002.”
Age:  42
Family:  Married to Bill, two children:  Alec, a senior, and Alaenah, a Freshman.
Affiliations:  Kansas World Languages Association, Office of Faith Formation Advisory Council for the Diocese of Wichita, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I have always loved to learn, and I feel that we should never stop learning.  I wanted to pass on that enthusiasm for education to others.”
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?

“My first priority is to get to know my students.  Once I know more about who they are and what they like, then I’ll be able to design lessons that speak to their interests.”