All posts by Loretta George

Fort Scott, Schools

New FSHS Language Arts Teacher: Erica Clark

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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. “
Fort Scott, Schools

New FSHS Spanish Teacher: Jennifer Michaud

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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.”

Fort Scott, Schools

New First-Grade Teacher at Winfield Scott: Lindsey Davis

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

Lindsey Davis is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.

Name: Lindsey Davis
Title: 1st Grade Teacher at Winfield Scott
Education: Graduated from Pitt State with a BS in elementary education.
Experience: First-year teacher.
Age: 25 years old.
Family:  Married to husband, Cal, for two weeks.
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I love to see students learn, change and grow and I want to be a part of it.
I want to make an impact on my students and help them enjoy life and give them a chance to dream about life. “
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?

“To be a good educator by making a difference in my student’s lives. And to make learning a fun enjoyable experience for each and every student that I get the opportunity to teach.”

Fort Scott, Mercy Hospital

Mercy Kids Health Fair and Teddy Bear Clinic

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Sven, Lathan Seabolt’s moose, was in excellent hands while Mercy’s MRI technologist Tina Easter took a chest x-ray during Mercy’s Teddy Bear Clinic on Saturday, Aug. 11.

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (Aug. 13, 2018) – Raising healthy kids is important, that’s why Mercy Clinic Fort Scott hosted the seventh annual Mercy Kids Health Fair and Teddy Bear Clinic on Saturday, August 11.

Children took part in free health screenings, fitness fun, and learned tips to help make good choices for healthy living.

Dolls and a variety of stuffed animals received checkups, x-rays and vaccinations from Mercy Clinic providers at the Teddy Bear Clinic. Mercy general surgeon Dr. Wan-Lin Horng was able to mend minor scrapes and cuts, too.

“At Mercy, we make it a priority to give parents and guardians the tools necessary to lead kids down the path of long-term health,” said Amy Budy, Mercy Clinic administrative assistant and organizer of the event. “At the Mercy Kids Health Fair, we bring together numerous resources from within Mercy and the community to educate our most prized asset – children. We are grateful to the many agencies and organizations for participating and making the fair a huge success.”

To learn more about primary care or to establish a physician, call Mercy Clinic at 620-223-8040.

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools

Greyhound Lodge Nearing Completion

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The Greyhound Lodge, August 8. Jim Woods is part of the maintenance crew at Fort Scott Community College who helped in the renovation of the Red Ram Motel into student housing.

The Red Ram Motel property has been cleaned up from the overgrown trees and shrubs which abounded on the property,  given new paint, doors, and floors in the individual rooms and it is almost ready for the transformation to student housing for Fort Scott Community College.

A peek at the inside of one room at the Greyhound Lodge on August 8. New paint and new floors have been completed. Furniture is next to be moved in.

Greyhound Lodge, as it is now known,  will be part of the FSCC housing options.

“We are excited to see the transformation and having it done,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said on Wednesday. “I think the students will like it.”

All the remodeling of the building was done by maintenance staff or the construction trades class, she said.

“Kim Coates (construction trade instructor) and a couple of kids have been on it,” Johnston said. “Lane Cutler cleaned up the property. Jim Woods is a member of the maintenance team.  All the remodel has been in-house, except the floors.”

Johnny Walker was the high bidder for the Red Ram Motel sign.

The Red Ram Motel sign is gone now, purchased by Johnny Walker. Work is in the final stages before students move in, August 18-19, Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston said Wednesday.

Each room will have bunkable beds. “The kids can decide whether to bunk them or not,” she said. “Each room will have beds, a small fridge, microwave, dresser.”

“It’s affordable, $300 per month per student,” Johnston said. “It’s also appropriate, supervised student housing.”

A member of  FSCC staff will be living in an apartment at Greyhound Lodge, for security and supervision duties.

A computer lab, a student lounge with a pool table, washer and dryer and kitchen will be available for students use.

Greyhound Lodge is on the north side of town, near the intersection of Hwy. 54 and Hwy. 69. The FSCC main campus is on the south side of town. Students will be moving in the weekend of  August 18-19, Johnston said.

“The students who live there can purchase a meal plan,” Johnston said. “We now have a 10-meal-plan or a 7-meal-plan, if they want to purchase it.”

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Cindy Satterfield: New Title 1 Teacher at Winfield Scott

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This is a series featuring the new teachers in our community.

Cindy Satterfield is the new Title 1 Teacher for Kindergarten through Second Grade at Winfield Scott Elementary School, Fort Scott.

Name:  Cindy Satterfield
Title of Position:  Title I Teacher for K-2 at Winfield Scott
Education:  BS Ed in Elementary Education from PSU in 1988, MS in Education from Missouri State University in 1998, and an MS with Licensure as a Reading Specialist from PSU in 2008
Experience:  Retired from Missouri with 29 years of experience. Six years as a 2nd-grade teacher in Bronaugh, and 23 years with the Nevada RV School District with years as a 2nd-grade teacher, 3rd-grade teacher, 3rd-grade Title I teacher, Literacy Coach, and an Instructional Coach.
Age:  51
Family:  Husband  – Married to Gary Satterfield for 30 years, a Plant Engineering Supervisor at 3M in Nevada.  Two sons – Jeremy, 26 and lives in Omaha, Nebraska where he works for Turner Construction out of Kansas City as a field engineer. ” He is engaged to be married to Olivia Culbertson on September 1 and we are excited to have her as our daughter-in-law!”  Her second son, Ben, graduated from Nevada High School. He will be attehnding Missouri State University this fall as a sophomore and is considering a degree in Physical Therapy.
Affiliations: She is a member of the Vernon County Retired Educators Association, Hannon Free Will Baptist Church, and the Women’s Auxiliary, and am also involved with Vernon County Relay for Life Team.
Why did you choose to become an educator?
“I chose education as a career for several reasons.  First, I truly love teaching children and find it gratifying to be able to make a positive difference in their lives.  It is important to raise our future generation to be well-rounded individuals with the skills they need to be successful no matter what path they choose in life.  As an educator, I also appreciate the opportunity to be a lifelong learner as I advance my education, attend professional development, and work with colleagues.  Every day is different and holds opportunities to be a positive influence in the life of another person.”
What is your first priority on the job?
“My first priority as I begin a “second” career in Kansas is to build positive relationships with students, their families, and my colleagues.  Adapting to the Kansas curriculum and getting familiar everything in a new district is also important, but I know it will come with time.  I am looking forward to a great year!”
Area News

Trailblazers: Discovery and Exploration

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Thursday morning Trailblazers practice a play to be performed for their parents, on Friday. The Fort Scott National Historic Site Youth Engagement Team helped with the program.

The Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Trailblazer Program ends August 10.

During this workshop, children were introduced to the National Park Service mission of caring for the nation’s natural and cultural heritage, according to the Fort Scott National Historic Site website: https://www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/news/trailblazercamp.htm

They searched for treasure in a mock archaeological dig, explored the prairie, and discovered methods used to preserve the buildings and artifacts of the fort. The students engaged in living history, learned flag protocol and worked on a play that they will present at the end of the week.  Also, there were green activities that taught children how to use resources wisely.

Fort Scott National Historic Site Ranger Ryan O’Connell takes a photo of the Trailblazer Camp participants Thursday morning. From left: Kaylee, Ana, Jordan, Jubilee, James, Nate, Timothy, Jude, Aiden, and Althea.
Area News

Ridding of Propane

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Passersby on Hwy. 69 might have noticed a flame near the intersection of the highway with Calvary Road, south of Fort Scott.

Not to worry.

“They are flaring off what is left in a propane tank, in order to repair the tank,” said Linda of Specialized Piping and Equipment, Leon, KS.

SPE works for other companies and was hired to empty the tank completely for repair, she said.

Bourbon County, Schools

New FSCC Ag Teacher and Meats Judging Coach: Sara Sutton

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Sara Sutton, FSCC Agriculture Instructor and Meats Judging Coach.

This is one of a series of profiles on new teachers in Fort Scott.

Sara Sutton is the new Fort Scott Community College  Agriculture Instructor and Meats Judging Coach.

Education: Sutton came to FSCC on a rodeo scholarship with Coach Chad Cross after graduation from Shawnee Mission North in the Kansas City area.  She then attended K-State on a rodeo scholarship, graduating with an agriculture degree in 2007. She earned a teaching degree and Masters in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University.

Experience: She taught biology at Cherokee then Uniontown high schools.

Family: Husband, Scott and twin daughters, Marley and McKinley, and son, Tucker. Her husband teaches vo-ag at Uniontown High School. Lynne Wheeler is her mother-in-law, and John and Irene Doll are her parents. “Scott and I could not do what we do without family support.”

Age: 37

Why a career in education?

“My high school biology teacher, Mr. Fluty, was my inspiration to go into teaching. I love science and agriculture and communicating things I’m knowledgeable about with people.

What is the priority in the new job?

“Teaching, I love teaching. I will teach ag calculations, animal science, intro to feeds and ag tech management.”

“I’m looking forward to building the program. Jennalee Martin and Ryan Edgecomb were great and I want to continue on that.”

 

Bourbon County, Schools

WBE New Fourth Grade Teacher: Jackie Shadden

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Jackie Shadden is the new fourth-grade teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School in Uniontown. She is pictured in her classroom, getting ready for the first day of school on August 30.

Following 13 years as a fifth-grade teacher in Nevada, Mo., Jackie Shadden is the new fourth-grade teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown. Her hometown is Fort Scott.

“My mom, Ruby Gerant, inspired me to become a teacher,” Shadden said. “She taught for quite a few years as a high school English teacher in Uniontown.”

“I love learning and sharing knowledge with others,” she said. “And it’s always been a joy to be around kids.”

Shadden attended Fort Scott Community College, then Pittsburg State University where she earned a bachelors and masters degree in education.

She married David Shadden and had two kids, Seth, age 10-years-old and Hailey, 8.

“My husband and I care for my family’s farm, where we raise cattle,” she said.

“I am hoping to become more involved with my community since I will be teaching closer to home,” Shadden said.

Area News

New Ranger Wants the Opportunities of The Fort To Be Known

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Carl Brenner, new Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at Fort Scott National Historic Site, started July 22.

The new Fort Scott National Historic Site Ranger has been around.

From Shenandoah National Park, VA to Grand Canyon National Park, AZ to Pinnacles National Monument, Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Park-all in California to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in the Texas  Panhandle, Carl Brenner has been all across America.

As of July 22,  Brenner is the new Supervisory Ranger and Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS.

“I came to Fort Scott to continue my journey,” Brenner said. “I grew up in St. Louis, MO. I love the history close to home.”

Brenner is ready to become a part of Fort Scott.

“I’m ready to begin engaging with the community-schools, hospital, veterans, all civic organizations here in town,” he said. “And reaching out to other communities to bring them here.”

He wants to tell the story of the fort and its opportunities.

Brenner has a passion for the National Park Service.

“The park service story is the story of America,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to share that story.”

“Growing up I never realized you could have a job in the park service,” Brenner said. “Learning about nature and the cultures, being able to share them can be a career.”

That’s what his father, John Brenner, taught him, which inspired him. His first supervisor, Barb Stewart,  also ” instilled the values of what the park service is and the possibilities that exist.”

The N.P.S became his family, he said.

His personal family is a wife, Maggie, who is still packing up their belongings in Texas, and his dogs, a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever.

Brenner has been welcomed by the community, he said, and he is impressed with the number of activities that go on in town.

He will have to coordinate with all the activities to “have people come and enjoy the fort,” he said.

This week is Trailblazer Week at the fort.

Brenner believes this is an exposure to the fort and a pathway into a career for youth.

“I’d like to start doing that with schools, the curriculum at the schools,” he said. “Try to build pathways for people to learn about resources  and opportunities with the park service.”

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

West Bourbon Elementary School Has A New Leader

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Vance Eden.

Uniontown schools have enrollment August 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again on August 9 from noon to 7 p.m.

The school district has its’ first day of school on August 30.

Uniontown native Vance Eden, 33, is the new principal at West Bourbon Elementary School, as of July 1.
” My first priority is to make sure every student and teacher have the things they need to have the best possible start to the school year,” Eden said.
Eden attended Uniontown schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
He then attended Pittsburg State University attaining a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.
He taught seven years,  four years as a 6th-grade teacher and three years teaching Title 1. He served as assistant principal in Webb City, Mo. for four years.
He and wife, Rachel have two children, a son-Scout, 6 years old and a daughter-Rhuey, age 4. They are members of Community Christian Church.
Why did you choose education for a career?
” Working in education is a great way to be a positive impact on the kids and families of the community where you live,” Eden said.