Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Schools

Talking Tigers Earn 2nd Place On Oct. 5

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Submitted by Angella Curran
Congratulations to FSHS debate for placing 2nd at Pittsburg on October 5th!
In the novice division, with a 4-1 record, Kinsley Davis and Lillian Collins placed 5th.
In the open division:
Neil and Shekhar Gugnani placed 6th with a 3-2 record, 24 speaks.
Jorden Willard and Jade Russell placed 4th with a 3-2 record, 21 speaks
Madison Toth and Mark Adams placed 2nd with a 5-0 record,18 speaks.
Elizabeth Ngatia and Zoe Self placed 1st with a 5-0 record, 16 speaks.
Bourbon County, Schools

St. Martin’s Academy Begins Year in New Facility

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The staff of St. Martin’s Academy, front, from left: Patrick Whelan, headmaster; Joshua Gieger, housefather; Danielle Bauer, secretary; Ginger McElwee, teacher. Second row: Roger McAffrey, housefather; Ken Klassen, academic dean; Ryan Bauer, teacher; Michael Taylor, farming instructor.
Third row: Robert McElwee, chaplain; Sebastian Macik, chef; Giorgio Navarin, housefather. Not pictured are Joshua Mincio, housefather and Dan Kerr, president of St. Martin’s Academy.

Phase I of a multi-year building project, Theokotos Hall, is completed at St. Martin’s Academy school and opened in September 2019 to 29 students.

The  Catholic boys boarding school started in 2018 and was housed temporarily in a large Victorian home on National Avenue in Fort Scott.

The completed Theotokos Hall contains dormitories in the basement; an office, kitchen and dining hall on the first floor; and classrooms and the chapel in its loft, according to the school’s recent newsletter.

The dining room of Theokotos Hall also doubles as classroom space. The view is from the loft looking down. A student sweeps the floor after lunch was served on Monday afternoon.
The chapel at Theokotos Hall. The ornate furniture and altar came from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in downtown Fort Scott.

Click here to view the school’s newsletter: http://St. Martin’s

Freshman through junior class young men are enrolled this year, the school started last year with freshmen and sophomores.

Currently, 10 of those students are spending a trimester in Europe and the other 19 are receiving liberal arts lessons in literature, history, math, science, religion, Latin and also music-both folk and sacred, in Theokotos Hall on Indian Road, southwest of Fort Scott.

The 11th-grade students are now three weeks into their 10-week study abroad program in Europe.

“Highlights thus far include Le Louvre in Paris, venerating the bones of St. Martin in Tours, and crawling amongst the mortar scarred landscape above Pointe du Hoc at Normandy Beach,” according to the school newsletter.  The school was hosted by Chavagne International School who organized a  trip to  Puy du Fou, an authentically Catholic and medieval theme park in the Vendee.

The students and a housefather, Josh Mincio, are stationed at the Abbey of Fontgombault in central France, a  Benedictine monastery.  The next leg of the journey is a  future pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain and then to Rome.

The ninth-grade students spent several days in the Wind River Mountain Range, Wyoming.

“Operating at a base altitude of 10,000 ft, the boys logged over 20 miles of hiking through a rough and rugged backcountry, carrying their own provisions on their back and preparing their own meals,” according to the school newsletter.

The next phase of construction at the school is building three bunkhouses, housing 20 students each.

Currently, the students have bunk beds in the lower level of Theokotos Hall. Two adults, called house fathers, are housed at the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The academic building, including a formal library, is next, followed by the construction of the stone chapel which will be the final phase, Patrick Whelan, the headmaster at the school, said.

All are hoped to be completed in five years, Whelan said.

 

 

Kansas, Schools

Historical Society Children’s Art Contest Seeking Artists

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Kansas Historical Society Student Photo Contest is taking submissions from August 20 – December 15, 2019.

 

Students from first to 12th grade have an opportunity to win great prizes and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. This year’s theme is Going to School in Kansas.

Special Exhibit, through February 2, 2020 at the Kansas Museum of History · Topeka

 

Each of the 105 Kansas counties has a fascinating story to tell. Since 1875 the Kansas Historical Society has been collecting stories from all 105 counties of our great state. See a trophy that Glenn Cunningham of Morton County received at the 1936 Olympics.

 

Happy Birthday, Kansas!

 

 

 

Events this week:

 

Indian Homes in Kansas 

 

Homeschool Wednesday

1 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Kansas Museum of History · Topeka

 

Students will explore several types of shelter built by Native Americans from long ago. All of these structures were made of natural resources, each were built to meet the needs of people’s daily lives. In the classroom students can see a small tipi and then step inside the Museum’s full-sized tipi for a different perspective on history.

Students use primary and secondary sources to explore different topics each month. Designed for students from fourth grade through high school. The cost is $6 per student, which includes Museum admission. Regular admission prices apply for non-participating children.

 

William Allen White Children’s Book Award

 

William Allen White Children’s Book Award Winning Authors

5 p.m. Friday, October 4, 2019

Red Rocks State Historic Site · Emporia

 

This year’s William Allen White Children’s Book Award winning authors will sign their books for students. Meet the author of Pax, bestselling and award-winning author, Sara Pennypacker; and meet author of Ghost, a New York Times bestselling author, Jason Reynolds. Local book merchants will be selling copies of the books. Tours will be offered at regular admission. Hosted by the William Allen White Community Partnership, Inc.

 

Coming next week:

 

Museum After Hours

 

Bluecoat and Pioneer: The Recollections of John Benton Hart, 1864-1868

By John Hart

6:30 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2019

Kansas Museum of History · Topeka

 

John Benton Hart served in the 11th Kansas Cavalry from start to finish. The accounts of harrowing moments during the regiment’s history were preserved in his diary. They include the ongoing fight against the threat of Confederate General Sterling Price’s army and the Battle of the Platte Bridge at Casper, Wyoming. John Hart is a descendent of the Civil War veteran and recently published a book based on the diary accounts. The author will do a book signing after the program. The Museum Store will have copies for sale. The Kansas Museum of History is open for half price admission from 5 until 6:30 p.m. The Museum Store is also open until 6:30 p.m.

 

Sundays at the Site

 

The Past and Present of American Conservatism

By Greg Scheider

2 p.m. October 13, 2019

Red Rocks State Historic Site · Emporia

 

Join us for two programs this month as part of the summer and fall series at Red Rocks, the home of the William Allen White Family. Programs are free and held in the visitor center. Hosted by the William Allen White Community Partnership, Inc.

 

Kansas State Historic Sites

 

Seasonal Hours

October 13, 2019 – March 10, 2020

 

Make plans to visit these Kansas State Historic Sites on Saturday, October 12, 2019, the last day of the season. The winter season extends through March 10, 2020. Be watching for occasional special programming during the winter months and plan to return when the sites open again in the spring on March 11, 2020.

 

Grinter Place State Historic Site · Kansas City

Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site · Hanover

Kaw Mission State Historic Site · Council Grove

Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site · Pleasanton

Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site · Republic

 

Seasonal Hours

October 26, 2019 – April 1, 2020

 

Red Rocks State Historic Site, Home of the William Allen White Family · Emporia

 

Later this month:

 

Kansas State Records Board

 

Quarterly Meeting

8:30 a.m. Thursday, October 17, 2019

Kansas Historical Society · Topeka

 

The quarterly meeting for the Kansas State Records Board will be held in the executive conference room. Meetings are open to the public.

 

Kaw Mission Councils

 

Amelia Earhart

By Jacque Pregont

2 p.m. Sunday, October 20, 2019

Kaw Mission State Historic Site · Council Grove

 

Join us for our ongoing series of lectures and events focused on the rich history of women in Kansas. Jacque Pregont of Atchison will present a program on aviator Amelia Earhart. In case of rain the program will be held in the education building next to the mission. There is a suggested donation of $3. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Kaw Heritage.

 

Fort Riley to Fort Kearney

 

By Duane Gile

2 p.m. Sunday, October 20, 2019

Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site · Republic

 

Duane Gile has collected extensive research and created a map about the military road from Fort Riley to Fort Kearney. Gile shares his insights at this special fall program at Pawnee Indian Museum.

 

Sundays at the Site

 

The Antiques of Red Rocks

By Becy and John Doan

2 p.m. October 27, 2019

Red Rocks State Historic Site · Emporia

 

Join us for two programs this month as part of the summer and fall series at Red Rocks, the home of the William Allen White Family. Programs are free and held in the visitor center. Hosted by the William Allen White Community Partnership, Inc.

 

Next month:

 

Kansas Historical Society and Kansas Historical Foundation Annual Members and Board Meeting

 

Friday, November 1, 2019

Kansas Historical Society · Topeka

 

# # #

 

Connect with us!

Our website: kshs.org

Facebook: facebook.com/kawmission; facebook.com/kansashistorical

Twitter: twitter.com/kansashistory

Instagram: instagram.com/kansas_history

Pinterest: pinterest.com/kansashistory

 

 

Bobbie Athon

Director of Communications

Kansas Historical Society

6425 SW 6th Avenue

Topeka KS 66615-1099

785-272-8681, ext. 262

kshs.org

[email protected]

 

Your Stories | Our History

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Thespians Host 2nd Annual Royal-Tea Party

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Local youth are invited to attend a royal celebration with all of their favorite storybook heroes at the Royal-Tea Party from 10 a.m.-noon, Oct. 5, at the Fort Scott High School commons.

Fort Scott High School Thespians will entertain youth of all ages with special treats and activities and party guests will win door prizes throughout the event. Some royal party hosts set to attend include Cinderella and her Evil Stepsisters, Maleficent and Sleeping Beauty, Moana and Maui, Ariel, Elsa, Princess Tiana, Tinkerbell and Peter Pan, and Jasmine and Aladdin, among others. The party includes tea with the Queen of Hearts, Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the March Hare. Kids can also enjoy Yoda Soda with Princess Leia.

Buddy the Elf from the FSHS production of Elf: the Musical will make a special appearance to build toys with the children.

Tickets are $10 at the door and benefit programs and activities for Thespian Troupe #7365, the Fort Scott High School theatre honor society.

For more information, contact Angie Bin, FSHS Thespian Director at 620-719-9622 or [email protected].

Bourbon County, Schools

St. Martin’s Academy Sept. Newsletter

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Dear Friends of St. Martin’s,

Our second year of operations is now underway with 29 young men from all over the country.  In addition to new students our faculty has been growing and I’m pleased to say that the school is as healthy as ever.  Our new building, Theotokos Hall is both beautiful and functional; the farm is bursting with life and benefiting from the attention of the young men who work on it each day; and our classes are in session both here in Kansas and in France where our juniors are travelling for their Trimester Abroad.

In the coming months we will have a flurry of activities here on our campus and around the country.  We are both delivering and hosting lectures, readings, recitals, and fundraising events as we seek pledges to begin construction on the first of our “Bunkhouse” dormitories.  Stay tuned for the details and if you are interested in assisting us by hosting an event or spreading the word, please be in touch.  It would be difficult to overstate how much we need your support as we embark on the next phase of campus construction.  Please join us in taking a stand for the education of young men.

Saint Martin, pray for us!

Duc in Altum,
Daniel Kerr, President
Patrick Whalen, Headmaster

Theotokos Hall

After over a year of construction, our first building, the hearth and home of the Academy, is complete.  Deo Gratias.  Theotokos Hall contains dormitories in the basement, an office, kitchen and dining hall on the first floor, and classrooms and the chapel in its loft.  The building is functioning beautifully and we are grateful to the contractors and benefactors who helped us to erect this noble hall.

The Hall of Fire in Rivendell represents the place where tradition is passed on through story, where meaning is revealed, where language expresses itself in the making and interpretation of worlds.  The ambience of fire, of a friendly hearth where all strangers are made welcome and find consolation, speaks of a place where humanity can take root and flourish, a true home – the “Last Homely House.”  Here prose is subordinate to poetry, and poetry to song.  – Stratford Caldecott, Beauty in the Word

Freshmen in Wyoming

Led by Cor Expeditions and our own intrepid duo of Mr. Ryan Bauer and Mr. Joshua Gieger, the 9th graders began their careers at St. Martin’s Academy on a proper adventure – spending several days in the Wind River mountain range of Wyoming.  Operating at a base altitude of 10,000 ft, the boys logged over 20 miles of hiking through a rough and rugged backcountry, carrying their own provisions on their back and preparing their own meals.

Cor Expeditions, an offshoot of Wyoming Catholic College, provided exceptional programming throughout, including reflections on beauty, wonder and God’s presence in the book of Creation.

Les Garcons en France

The 11th graders are now nearly 3 weeks into their 10-week Study Abroad program in Europe and, to quote Israel Meyers, “it has been a glorious trip” thus far.  Highlights thus far include many hours in le Louvre in Paris, venerating the bones of St. Martin in Tours, and crawling amongst the mortar scarred landscape above Pointe du Hoc at Normandy Beach.  Many thanks to our friends at Chavagne International School for hosting us and organizing our trip to the legendary Puy du Fou, an authentically Catholic and medieval theme park in the Vendee.

Now stationed at the Abbey of Fontgombault in central France, the boys are settling into to stable rhythm of ora et labora in the Benedictine life.  This period of retreat serves as a wonderful counterpoint to the  complex movements of their previous weeks on the road and their future pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
See pictures from the trip here!

Saint Martin, Saint Benedict and Saint James, pray for us!

Above: approaching Mont St-Michel in Normandy
St. Martin’s gear is now available!

The Kingfisher Online Shop is open for business.

Back to school

Whether conducting field observations, singing at Mass, measuring and cutting lumber, or enacting (in earnest) the hand to hand combat in Robin Hood, class at St. Martin’s Academy is back in session.  This is the poetic mode of education where we seek to put a little blood back into the experience of learning which has sadly become, in many cases, an exercise in enervation. We’re proud to be challenging and changing the norms in education for young men.

Down on the Farm

St. Martin’s Farms is bustling with new life.  5 healthy, newborn calves have arrived in the last 3 weeks and we welcomed 50 baby broiler chicks just yesterday.  Current head-count: 16 cows, 19 hogs, 47 sheep, 20 rabbits, 78 laying hens, 4 roosters, 50 broiler chicks, 6 geese and 1 absurdly large Tom turkey.  And growing daily.

Above: Sophomore Joseph Klassen shows proper technique for carrying one of our newborn American Milking Devon calves.

October 26th – Faculty Lecture

Please join us October 26th in Theotokos Hall for our first Faculty Lecture of the 2019-2020 Academic Year.  St. Martin’s President Daniel Kerr will be giving an apologia “for the birds” in discussing his passion for ornithology and how birding is particularly well suited to our pedagogical commitments at St. Martin’s.

RSVP by Oct. 18th to Secretary Danielle Bauer at [email protected]

Above: Mr. Kerr’s Natural History class gathers in Gunn Park for some peak migratory birding last Spring.

Join the Cause!

St. Martin’s is changing the landscape in secondary education and disrupting an ineffective and unimaginative status quo.  Please consider giving generously to our Raise the Rafters Campaign with a one-time gift or pledge.  No gift is too small (or too large!) and will be stewarded carefully as we build a campus for generations to come.

After spending several weeks with him over the summer, we have been able to see the fruits of our son’s experience at St. Martin’s—from his willing and take-charge attitude in helping around the house, to his patience with his siblings (setting a good example by choosing to take the high road when sibling rivalry tiffs come up), to his determined attitude in completing difficult outdoor projects, to his dedication in continuing to study and prepare academically over the summer. Truly, the list could go on and on.

St. Martin’s was an answer to our prayers.

– Megan Banderman, mother of Charles (’21)
Copyright © 2019 St. Martin’s Academy Inc., All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
1950 Indian Rd. Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Homecoming Candidates 2019

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Fort Scott High School Homecoming Candidates are announced and pictured as follows:
Front row, from left: Myah Chaplin and Asher Cook;
Middle row: Addy Labbe, Elizabeth Ngatia, Kenady Poyner, Zoe` Self, Mya Stewart;
Back Row:  Brody Bowles, Connor Fess, Keenan Guilfoyle, C. J. Horton, Caleb Watkins.
The Fort Scott High School Pep Assembly will be at  11:18 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28.
The coronation will be at 6:30 pm ahead of the football game against Pittsburg High School on  Friday night.  The dance will follow the game until 11:30 p.m.
Submitted by Bert Lewis
Fort Scott, Schools

USD234 Minutes of Sept. 9

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These are the minutes of Unified School District 234, 424 South Main, Fort Scoft, KS 56701-2697, www.usd234.or
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-27 60

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met on Monday, September 9, 2019, at the Board of Education office for their regular monthly meeting.

President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the olficial agenda

The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – August 20, 2019 – $1,164,377.59
D. Financial Report
E. Bond Proceeds Reconciliation
F. Activity Fund Accounts
C. FSHS Band Fundraising Project
There were no public forum requests. Stephanie George, KNEA President, presented a report. Administmtors from each building shared reports with board members.

Superintendent Ted Hessong provided information on the following items:
o 4-year old preschool
o High Density Weighting
o ProfessionalDevelopment
o IEP Backpack transition
o Safe Routes to Schools Grant
o Council of Superintendents
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, reported on the new district match plan, the number of new staff members, and door bids that will go out next month.

Board members reviewed the first day enrollment count report.In addition, the board approved the following items
o Property sale of213 Scott Avenue to Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation
o Lease agreement between New Generation and USD 234
Agreement between USD 234 and FSCC for the use of Frary Field

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss school security matters. The board retumed to open meeting. Board members went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and retumed to open meeting.

The board approved the following employment items:

A. Retirement of Deb Kames, middle schooL/Winfield Scott gifted teacher, effective August 30,2019
B. Resignation of Tracy King, high school business teacher, effective July 9, 2019
C. Retirement of Dara Leaming, high school secretary, effective September 13,2019
D. Resignation of Danea Esslinger, high school paraprofessional, effective August 19, 2019
E. Resignation of Brianna Culbertson, high school teacher aide (Student Support Center), effective August 19,2019
F. Resignation of Wanita Tate, bus driver, effective September 6,2019
G. Adjustment in the Special Education/MlS 30-hour, l0-month classified position at the central oflice to a Special Education Secretaryllvledicaid Billing Clerk 40-hour, 12-
month classified position at the central offrce for the 2019-20 school year
H. Addition of a gifted paraprofessional for the 2019-20 school year
I. Addition of a I .5-hour per day custodial position at New Generation
J. Addition of two preschool paraprofessional positions for the 2019-20 school year
K. Addition of a Winfield Scott paraprofessional position for the 2019-20 school year
L. Adjustment in the high school preschool l0-month custodian position to a l2-month position for the 2019-20 school year
M. Transfer ofJason Young, high school ISS teacher aide, to high school Student Support Center teacher aide for the 2019-20 school year
N. Transfer of Allen Davis, l2-month Eugene Ware/middle school custodian , to a 12-month middle school custodian for the 2019-20 school year
O. Transfer of Fred Judy, 4-hour preschool custodian, to a 1 .5-hour New Generation custodian for the 2019-20 school year
P. Transfer of Diana Heckman, high school teacher aide, to high school secretary for the 2019-20 school year
Q. Contract adjustment for Jered McKay, Eugene Ware focus room teacher, to Eugene Ware behavior therapist for the 2019-20 school year
R. Contract adjustment for Andrea Heckman, preschool teacher, to a long-term substitute teacher for the 2019-20 school year
S. Contract adjustment for Bo Graham, high school strength conditioning and credit recovery teacher/middle school weight training teacher to a long-term substitute
teacher at the high school only for the 2019-20 school year
T. Contract adjustrnent for Elizabeth Lyon, Winfield Scott focus room teacher, to a longterm substitute teacher for the 201 9-20 school year
U. Employment of Thomas Russell as a high school paraprofessional for the 2019-20 school year
V. Employment of Bobbie Yoakam as a preschool paraprofessional for the 2019-20 school year
W. Employment of Shawn O’Brien as central office payroll clerk secretary for the 2019-20 school year
X. Employment of Judy Welch as a preschool bus driver for the 2019-20 school year
Y. Employment ofJoyce Earp as a Eugene Ware 6.5-hour cook for the 2019-20 school year
Z. Employment of Joie Moore as a high school 6.5-hour cook for the 201 9-20 school year
AA. Employment of Robert Jackson as a l2-month high schooVpreschool custodian for the 201 9-20 school year
BB. Employment of Tanya Lockwood as a 12-month high school custodian for the 2019-20 school year
CC. Employment of Terry Barrager as a l0-month Winfield Scott/Eugene Ware custodian for the 2019-20 school year
DD. Resigration of Nicole Pellett as a middle school eighth grade team leader, effective August 20, 2019
EE. Resignation of Alicia Hansen as a middle school track coach, effective August 28, 2019
FF. Employment of Angie Kemmerer as middle school scholars bowl sponsor for the 2019- 20 school year
GG. Employment of Kenny Hudiburg as a high school assistant girls’ tennis coach for the 2019-20 school year
HH. Employment of Jared Martin as a high school winter conditioning coach for the 2019- 20 school year
II. Employment of Alicia Hansen as the middle school eighth grade team leader for the 2019-20 school year
JJ. Employment of Eugene Ware team leaders for the 2019-20 school year
KK. Employment of high school team leaders for the 20 1 9-20 school year

The board adjourned.

Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

FSMS Sweeps In Volleyball

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8th graders Kamdyn Farrell attacks the ball set by Keegan Yarick.
The Fort Scott Middle School Tiger Volleyball teams swept Jayhawk Linn at home on Tuesday night.
7B  27-25, 25-9
7A  25-8, 25-15
8B  25-12, 23-25, 15-8
8A  25-22, 25-10
Standouts for the 7th grade were B team-Graycyn Brown had 10 serves with 8 of those ACE serves. A Team-Hadley Forester-15 aerves with 10 of those ACE serves and one kill-Allie Brown with 2 kills.
8th grade stat leaders for the night were, Carsen Wunderly with 13 aces followed by Lauren Hull with 8 for the A team.  Leaders for the B Team were Brylie Schaub with 13 aces followed by Jadyn Messer with 8 and Hannah Peck with 6 for the night.  During our intersquad “C” match Delaney Faulk led the way with 6 aces followed by Delani Weddle, Lauren Orgen, Anna Hall, and Brittany McClure with 4 aces each.
Submitted by Angie Kemmerer
Fort Scott, Police, Schools

Police Escort Visitor Out of High School In Sept. 3 Incident

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Fort Scott High School.

An unwanted visitor entered Fort Scott High School on Sept. 3.

“We did have a person in the building at the high school early, before school started, Tuesday, September 3rd,” USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong, said.

The person was stopped by a high school teacher who asked why the person was in the building, he said.

” One of our custodians made sure the students in the building stayed away from the person while the teacher questioned him about being in the building,” Hessong said. “The custodian also contacted another employee of ours who was headed to the high school to assist with the situation, just in case additional support was needed. This employee contacted local law enforcement to also possibly assist with the situation. Police officers escorted the person out of the building, without incident.”

The high school staff followed the plan of approaching anyone who is in the building, who is not identified as checking in the office first, to see if they need help or to direct them back to the school office to check-in, he said.

 

“I want to commend our high school teacher, custodian, program director, and local law enforcement for managing the situation to make sure everyone was safe in the building,” Hessong said.

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Activity Fair Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m.

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Submitted by:
Lauren Madison, FSHS Senior, [email protected]

 

FSHS ACTIVITY FAIR PRIOR TO FOOTBALL GAME

The first Fort Scott High School home football game will take place this Friday, September 13th vs. Paola at 7 p.m. Prior to the game, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., various FSHS clubs, sports and activities will be hosting an Activity Fair.

The event will take place on the front/west lawn of the high school at 1005 S. Main St. where high school students will host free activities for all ages. There will be games, face painting, prizes, food and fun. All ages are welcome to attend and share the Tiger spirit.

Fort Scott, Schools

New FSHS English Teacher: Jeni Hartman

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 Jeni Hartman is the new freshman English teacher at Fort Scott High School.
Her experience includes teaching kindergarten and substitute teaching for the last 10 years.
Hartman has a bachelors degree in elementary education;
licensed for K-9 with a certification for secondary English 6-12
She grew up in Olathe but spent most of her adult life in Ottawa.
She is  married to “my best friend, Chris Hartman, and we have been together for almost 22 years.”
“My oldest (son), Logan, is 18 and he and his girlfriend are having our first grandbaby in February,” she said.
“My youngest, Caleb, is 14 and he is in 8th grade. He is on the football team, wrestling team and the track team.”
In her spare time she “loves reading and taking a nap (and) I really enjoy spending time with my family.”
To become a teacher, she took a “long road,” she said.  “I started at Pitt State, missed my family, so I moved to Dallas and went to UNT, moved back here to get married and had my oldest, went back to Pitt State and drove from Overland Park three days a week! Now I am working on my Master’s Degree in Reading Specialist and will be licensed in that as well.”
A teacher inspired Hartman to teach.
“Mr. Barnes, my senior genetics teacher inspired me. He took us on a trip to St. Louis to see the students mapping the human genome.,” she said.
The best part of teaching for her is “Hanging out with young people, getting to do what I love most, reading and writing. They keep me young.”
What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?
“When that tough student that you are starting to break through with makes a poor decision and you have to start all over with that student. But when you do get that breakthrough and they start trusting you, that is the best. For a student to know that ‘Yeah, Mrs. Hartman is cool. She gets me.’ And when the stuff they bring to school from home gets left at the door and they learn in my class, that is why I am a teacher.”