This is part of a series featuring new teachers in our community.
Angella Curran is the new Fort Scott High School Speech and Debate/Forensics teacher.
Name: Angella Curran
Title of position: High School Speech and Debate/Forensics
Education: BA Communications, MA Teaching, both from Pitt State
Experience: Six years in Lamar, MO, four years in Frontenac, KS
Age: 35
Family: Son, age 13, attends PCMS
Affiliations: National Speech and Debate Association, Women Helping Women of Pittsburg, KS.
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I worked for AmeriCorps in 2004 and was placed as a tutor in an inner-city Baltimore school. I immediately connected with the students and decided that was the path I wanted to take once I returned to college.”
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
“My first priority is to build relationships with students and continue building the already amazing Debate and Forensics team.”
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 😉
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.
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.”
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!”
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. “
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.”
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.”
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.”
