Category Archives: Schools

Schools, Youth

Poverty Speaker: Solving Poverty and Healing Trauma

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ALL are invited and welcome to attend the Poverty Paradigm event this Saturday, August 12 at 4 p.m. at Fort Scott Middle  School.

The cost is $10 to participate.

If individuals want to participate, but cannot afford the $10,  contact Jennifer Michaud: phone:  785-230-7010 or email
[email protected]

The speaker is Rebecca Lewis-Pankratz.

To get a ticket, see the flyer below.

About the Speaker: Rebecca Lewis-Pankratz

Rebecca Lewis-Pankratz works with both communities and schools across the US to truly solve poverty and heal trauma, according to a press release. She does this by helping caring leaders create sustainable ecosystems of resilience through building better relationships.

Rebecca fought her way out of poverty and the trailer park in 2011 with three young sons. A local poverty resolution project found Rebecca and activated her journey. She later went to work for that non-profit and then went on to build multiple projects like it to help more families. In 2015 She started working with public education and ignited a trauma-informed schools movement in her state and beyond.

Rebecca experienced a lifetime of trauma and poverty and through access to buffering relationships she healed from both and continues to light the path for others.

Schools:

Rebecca is a Co-Founder of the ESSDACK Resilience Team. Rebecca and her team have walked alongside well over 100 Kindergarten through12th grade schools, equipping their staff as they journey toward becoming trauma-informed. The Resilience Team’s core value is that in order to create more positive outcomes for children, we must focus on transforming the adults who are important in these kids’ lives.

Communities:

Additionally, Rebecca and her team have partnered with Youth Core Ministries out of Greensburg Kansas to establish and sustain poverty resolution projects across Kansas and Illinois. Currently they are working with over 200 families who are systematically building their paths out of poverty.

Rebecca is widely known in Kansas and across the United States for her extensive work building trauma-informed schools. She is a captivating presenter and her lived experience of escaping poverty when she was 40 years old,  with three young children, invites people into her undeniable experience of healing, hope and restoration.

Rebecca has 8 ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) which she lived out as an adult with addiction, domestic violence, poverty and pain. She captivates audiences with her ability to weave concepts in with stories and helps people understand what is typically getting in the way of adopting the movement of trauma-informed schools. More importantly, Rebecca helps participants identify where they are, where they want to go, and how they want to get there. She is a master facilitator, a generous storyteller, and has an uncanny way of helping people boil down and absorb deep concepts around the brain, behavior, and healing.

Rebecca has shown the light for hundreds of schools and thousands of teachers on the path of equipping trauma-informed cultures and frameworks. She is well known for her carefully crafted work on:

  • Behavior is a Brain Issue and Not a Character Issue
  • Unpacking Behaviorism and its devastating effects on kids and families from trauma
  • Poverty and Trauma: Brains Wired for Survival
  • Understanding the science of the brain and resilience and how the brain wants to heal and can heal at any age
  • No kid, regardless of their story is a lost cause
  • Is it really all about choices?
  • Healing a fight/flight/freeze brain into a cause and effect brain within our schools
  • How Resilience is Built: The External Requirements for Thriving, Despite Adversity
  • Truly, it IS all about the relationships
  • Punishment Versus Discipline: The Hardest Hill in Equipping Trauma-Informed Schools for Sustainability

Rebecca coined the popular Resilience phrase “I see you, I hear you, I am with you.” This is the foundation for building resilience in ALL kids and staff.

To learn more:
Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Krone, Rivera, Davenport

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This part of a series of features on 20 new teachers at Fort Scott School District 234.

School starts August 18.

 

Jane Krone. Submitted photo.
Jane Krone, 54, is a new school counselor at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
She worked five years as a school counselor at an Emporia K-5 elementary school and   three years as a para educator prior to that.
Krone also worked in child welfare for 20 years and had a private practice for a time. 
“I worked in child welfare for two decades and, sadly, saw things that cannot be unseen,” she said. “I wanted to reach the children earlier, before they entered foster care to see if I could help them and their families with resources and skills.”
“I love, love, love working with students” Krone said. “I enjoy teaching coping and resiliency skills. I love to watch them learn and grow as individuals.”
Krone received a  bachelor’s degree in psychology with a sociology minor in 1994, a master’s degree in counseling in 1997and a school counseling endorsement in 2018.
She is originally from Emporia and graduated high school from Hartford.
She is married and has two adult sons.
Outside of school, she enjoy remodeling her house and coloring.
Additionally, “I like creating things out of pallet wood,” she said.
Jacqui Rivera. Submitted photo.

Jacqui Rivera, 25, is a new second grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.

Rivera spent three years working in early childhood,the past two years as a first grade teacher.

“I can remember wanting to be a teacher since elementary school,” she said. “I loved getting to help others.  I had several experiences throughout high school where I was able to… work with elementary students, I thought it was the best thing ever! I had several teachers throughout my schooling who inspired me, and I wanted to be a great educator just like them.”

“My students learn and grow so much throughout the year that I get to be their teacher,” she said. “The best part is watching them finally have that ‘ah ha’ moment when something that they struggled with clicks for them, like learning how to solve that tricky math problem, or read that difficult sentence.”

She  received a bachelors of science in elementary education from Emporia State University.

She and her fiance, Zach,  live in La Cygne with their  two dogs, and two cats.

Gardner is her hometown.

“I come from a big family, I am the youngest of six,” she said.  “I have four sisters and one brother…I have 13 nieces/nephews.”

“My hobbies include spending lots of time outside,” she said. “I love photography and spending time at the lake, we also do a lot of fishing! I enjoy reading and spending time with family and friends in my free time.”

Annyssa Davenport. Submitted photo.

Annyssa Davenport is a new special education teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

She earned her bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Services from Kansas State University and a masters in Elementary Education Unified at Ottawa University.

“I started out as a para for our district, after I decided to go back and get my Masters, then I started subbing,” she said. “I was very thankful to get a job teaching kindergarten in December in Archie, MO after I completed student teaching.This is my first year as a special education teacher.”

Her favorite thing about teaching is ” watching kids succeed,” she said.

“I was born and raised in Fort Scott and have lived here for a majority of my life,” she said. “I’m engaged to Brandon West and we are expecting our first child this fall.”

 

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 Board of Education Press Release From the August 7 Meeting

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, August 7, 2023

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, for a special board meeting at the board office.

 

Vice-President James Wood opened the meeting.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, presented an updated contract with No Limits Rehabilitation Inc., for physical therapy services.  The board heard from building administrators regarding school handbooks.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown and Gina Shelton, Finance Director, presented the 2023-24 budget.  Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, presented the Building Needs Assessment as part of the budget process.

 

The board approved the following items:

  • Contract with No Limits Rehabilitation Inc. for the 2023-24 school year
  • School and Activity Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year
  • Personnel Report as follows
  • The board did not accept the resignation of Caitlin Shrewsbury – Eugene Ware Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher

 

The board went into two executive sessions for personnel matters.

 

Vice-President Wood adjourned the meeting.

 

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

August 7, 2023

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Abati, Sarah – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Assistant Cheer Coach
  • Reinbolt, Katren – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach and Assistant Cross Country Coach

 

TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS:

For the 2023-24 school year:

Certified:

  • Anderson, Anna – Transfer from Eugene Ware Focus Room Teacher to Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Garzone, Laura – Fort Scott Middle School English Teacher – through first semester
  • Self, Karen – Fort Scott High School English Teacher

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Estes, Thomas – Fort Scott Middle School Custodian – starting 08/07/23
  • Guss, Jordan – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
  • Hardwick, Lauren – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
  • Haynes, Tonya – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
  • Large, Lahanna – Winfield Scott Elementary Paraprofessional
  • Michael, Dariane – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
  • O’Bryan, Carolina – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional
  • Palmer, Lana – Preschool Van Driver – 5.5 hours
  • Thurston, Erin – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Farrington, Jannah – DLM Coordinator
  • Feagins, Adam – Fort Scott Middle School Detention
  • Feeback, Brennen – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach
  • Gorman, Krista – Fort Scott Middle School Testing Coordinator
  • Gorman, Krista – Fort Scott High School Testing Coordinator
  • Gulager, Lindsey – Winfield Scott PDC
  • Harney, Joel – Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Boys and Girls Basketball Coach
  • Laubenstein, Michelle – CTE Coordinator
  • Martin, Paul – Fort Scott Middle School Boys Basketball Coach
  • Mayberry, Polly – District ESOL Coordinator
  • Mix, Marci – Eugene Ware Testing Coordinator
  • Rogers, Jamie – Fort Scott High School PDC
  • Travis, Hayden – Eugene Ware Elementary Art Show
  • FSHS Guiding Coalition Members
  • FSMS Guiding Coalition Members

 

Bourbon County, Schools

New U235 Teachers: Sutterby and Sutcliffe

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This is part of a series profiling the new teachers in Uniontown School District USD 235.

The district’s open house is August 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The first day of class for students is August 16.

 

Rebessa Sutterby. Submitted photo.

Rebecca Sutterby will be teaching Digital Media Pathway Career and Technical Education classes at Uniontown High School:  Graphic Design Fundamentals, Digital Media Design and Production, 21st Century Journalism, Web Design, and Photo Imaging.

She earned bachelors degree in Graphic Arts and Web Design, and is currently working on a masters degree at Pittsburg State University to earn full teaching certification.

Sutterby has worked in the printing industry: logo design, typesetting, darkroom work, and plate burning, and has been the Uniontown elementary school secretary for the past five  years. She was also a professional cake artist for years-teaching classes,  doing demonstrations at cake conventions and  competed on Food Network Challenge and TLC’s Ultimate Cake-Off.

“I’ve done lots of different design work over the years,” she said. “I was actually on the yearbook staff as a student here at UHS, and I was also on the yearbook staff at PSU when I was a student there the first time. Most recently, I designed the 55 foot-long artwork on the WBE cafeteria windows and decals for several of our school vehicles.”

Three generations of her family have graduated from UHS.

Her parents graduated in 1970 and her husband and she graduated in 1992. Their sons graduated from Uniontown – in 2015, 2017, and 2021.

“I am a Uniontown Eagle to the core. I’m very excited to be here to teach our students about Graphic Design and help them put those skills to use in real life applications,” she said.

Carrie Sutcliffe. Submitted.
Carrie Sutcliffe is a new science teacher at Uniontown  who will teach Physical Science, Chemistry, Dual Credit Chemistry and Applied Biology and Chemistry.
She graduated Hume High School in Missouri in1988, and from the University of Central Missouri with a BSE in 1993, then a masters from UMKC in 2003.
Sutcliffe has 30 years teaching experience: three teaching Physical Science and Biology at Raymore Peculiar High School,  one year teaching GED classes, 26 years teaching 7-12 Science and was a Science Olympiad Coach at Hume.
“The best thing about teaching is interacting with students and encouraging them to do their best,” she said. “The challenges  that come with teaching are changing federal and state requirements.”

She is a member of Hume Christian Church, serves on Lawrence Cemetery Board and serves as a project leader in the County Line 4-H Club.

She lives on a small farm outside of Hume with husband, Tom, of 30 years and has three children, Derek, Megan and husband Cole Wooten and Tommy.
Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Special Meeting Agenda for August 7

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                     Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING

AUGUST 7, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                  James Wood, Vice-President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       No Limits Rehabilitation Inc. Contract for Physical Therapy Services (Action Item)

 

4.0       Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year (Action Item)

 

5.0       Presentation of 2023-24 Budget and Needs Assessment (Discussion Item)

 

6.0       Other Business – Personnel Matters

6.1       Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

6.2       Exit Executive Session

6.3       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

6.4       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

7.0       Adjourn Meeting

                       

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Host Families For International Students Are Needed in Bourbon County

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School is just around the corner, and I have an opportunity to make this year EXTRA SPECIAL for your family. FLAG International is seeking host families for international exchange students in Fort Scott and the surrounding area.

There are hundreds of students from counties around the world who are waiting for host families in the US to say “Yes!” to the opportunity to be their family for the 2023-2024 school year! Would YOU be a HERO for these students? They have been anxiously waiting to hear who their host family will be so they can start a connection with them before they arrive.
Not ready to host the whole school year? That’s ok! Would you consider being a welcome family for 5 weeks while we continue to seek them a permanent placement?
Find out how adding a bonus family member ​from the other side of the planet will grow your HEART and make this year EXTRA special for your family.
Let us match you with a student that shares common interests with you and your family – athletics, arts and lifestyle!

Ask me for more information! You can email me at [email protected] or call or text 620-215-5494.

Fort Scott, Schools

New USD 234 Teachers: Woellhof, Fugate-Cate, Setina

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This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in the Fort Scott School District.

School starts August 18.

Beckie Woellhof. Sumitted photo.
Beckie Woellhof will be a new 4th Grade math teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary in Fort Scott.
She has taught for 13 years.
Woellhof graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2004.
“I grew up in and around Fort Scott and have lived in this area for most of my life,” she said. “I had some wonderful teachers when I was younger and they inspired me to be a teacher.”
For Woellhof,  getting to know her students is the best thing about being a teacher.
For her, challenges of teaching include “Finding a good work/life balance. As an educator, it is hard to turn off my teacher brain. I am always looking for new and engaging ideas for my classroom or creating things for my classroom at home. My kids often get drafted to help me.”
She and husband, Edwin, have four children.
In her spare time she loves to read and spend time with family and friends, she said.
Kassie Fugate-Cate. Submitted photo.
Kassie Fugate Cate, 33, will be a new special education teacher for Winfield Scott Elementary School.
“This will be a new adventure for me,” she said. “I have been a part of the district in different ways for about six years now. I’ve taught at the college level for about seven years and was a substitute teacher for the district last year.”
“I’ve been teaching at the collegiate for a while and never thought I would want to teach in K-12 until I started subbing for the district,” she said. “I really enjoyed being in the classroom and watching the light bulb go off when they understood what they were struggling with. Also, my son Kendrick was my inspiration to go into special education. He is autistic and I have learned so much from him.”
For her, the best thing about teaching is “Seeing the kids light up about learning and understanding the concepts. Also, being someone they can trust, support them, and push them to succeed. Being in education is all about student success and I look forward to making that happen for all my students.”
Instruction isn’t a challenge for her.
“It’s making sure that I teach them in a way they can understand and enjoy,” she said. “Then of course the paperwork that comes with special education is a little intimidating, but I’ve always enjoyed writing so it will be fun.”
Cate obtained a bachelor’s from Pittsburg State University in 2014 in communication. Then received a masters in strategic communication from Liberty University in 2018. She is currently working on another masters in education focusing on curriculum, instruction, and special education, with completion next summer.
She currently resides in Pittsburg, but is searching for a place in Fort Scott.
“I’ve been happily married to my husband Stephan  for 11 years and we have two beautiful children, Kendrick, in 5th grade at Eugene Ware and Katerina in 3rd grade at Eugene Ware,” she said.
“I enjoy helping out in the community and my church (Faith Church of Kansas),” she said. “I enjoy leading the elementary Parent Teacher Organization as president, it keeps me busy. I like going to the movies with my family and spending time with friends. Definitely a Netflix and chill type of person.”
Ashlee Setina. Submitted photo.
Ashlee Setina is the new Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Fort Scott High School.
This is her 4th year of teaching.
She went to college at Fort Scott Community College then Pittsburg State University.
Setina was motivated to become an educator by her Family and Consumer Science Teacher, who encouraged her to teach “because of my love and passion to help others achieve their goals.”
The best thing about teaching for her is “When a student finally learns the information and gets it 100%,” she said.
Her greatest challenge is “Being a young teacher because I do not have a lot of experience.”
Setina’s hometown is Arma.
“I enjoy fishing and hunting in my free time,” she said. “I love to cook and sew as well.”

 
 
Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Tiger Newsletter August 2023

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Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Educators: Comstock, Peterson, McKinsey

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This is a series featuring new teachers at Fort Scott School District USD234.

There are 21 new teachers in the district this year.

The first day of school is August 18.

Tracy Comstock is the new teacher at Fort Scott High School for English 1 and Dual Credit English.

She earned BSEd from Missouri State University and a
MA in English from Pittsburg State University.

“This will be my 16th year teaching. I have taught at several schools in both Missouri and Kansas, and also worked as an adjunct for Crowder, Cottey College, and PSU,” she said.

“The best thing about teaching is getting to know and work with so many amazing students,” she said.  “I love sharing my passion for reading and writing.”

“The challenging thing about my job is that English is definitely not everyone’s favorite subject!” she said.

She lives  in Pittsburg, and has been married to Jason for 26 years.
“Our oldest son Garrett will be a freshman at PSU this fall,” she said. “Our youngest son Trevyn will be starting as a freshman at FSHS.”

 

Emily Peterson. Submitted photo.
Emily Peterson, 22, is a special education preschool teacher at Fort Scott Preschool Center.
She worked as a special education paraprofessional for 4 years.
She earned an associates degree at Labette Community College and then transferred to Wichita State University and joined the TAP program to receive a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Unified and Elementary education K-6.
Her hometown is Columbus, Kansas.

In her spare time she enjoys being active in the gym and running with friends, she said.

“Throughout school I had some amazing teachers that positively impacted my life and still are some of my biggest supporters today,” she said. “They motivated me to want to be that positive role in someone’s life.”
“The best thing about teaching is getting to experience something new everyday,” she said. “Each day is full of adventures, challenges, and success. It’s such a rewarding job.”

“The greatest challenge for me is never really being done with work,” she said. “As teachers, we are always thinking of things to improve and work on for the kids.”

 

Rayanne McKinsey, 24, will be a new second grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.

She worked at Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center the past five years-three of those as coordinator of Erie Summer SEKA, a children’s program, she said. She student taught at Sheridan Elementary in Junction City, Kansas, in  2021-2022.
“This past school year, I finished my first year of teaching within preschool, 3rd grade Title, and elementary P.E.-as well as helping coach middle school girls’ basketball,” she said.
She graduated high school from Chanute Christian Academy in 2018 and then went to Neosho County Community College. She graduated from Kansas State University  with a bachelor’s  degree in Elementary Education, in May 2022. She is also currently working towards gaining a coaching certificate from Kansas State University and a Master’s of Biblical Ministry from Ozark Christian College.
“I grew up on my family farm outside of Chanute and Erie, Kansas,” she said. “While growing up I participated in church activities, sports, high school leadership; and I was highly active in 4-H for 12 years.”
“I enjoy exercising, spending time outside, playing with my dog, working with my livestock, baking, and spending time with my friends and family,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since I was little; and the passion to become one continued to grow while experiencing my own teachers and gaining employment through SEKMHC and various Kansas schools as an emergency substitute,” she said. “I’ve seen that children are wanting to know that they have people in their lives that care about them…Not only are we there for our students for academics; but we should also be there for them for whatever is going on in their lives. My past teachers made this impact on me; and I want to continue making this impact.”
“I love the connections that I make with my students and to see their excitement for learning,” she said. “I’m looking forward to meeting new students, their families, and faculty; all the new opportunities USD 234 is offering me; and becoming involved in this community.”
Bourbon County, Schools

New Uniontown Teachers: Walker, Rucker, Ostrander, Onelio

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This is part of a series on new teachers in Uniontown School District.

Enrollment for the district ends today from noon to 7 p.m.

Open House is August 15, from 4-6 p.m.

The first day of class is August 16.

There are 10 new teachers, one new junior/senior high school principal, Robert Onelio and a new School Resource Officer, Nick Trim.
Jacy Walker. Submitted photo..
Jacy Walker is a new sixth grade teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School.

She earned a  Bachelor’s Degree at Fort Hays State University and was a para educator for four years while taking classes.

This is her first year as a teacher.

“The best thing about teaching for me is being able to build long lasting relationships with all my students and watching them all become better versions of themselves everyday! ” she said.
“I think as a first year teacher there will probably be lots of challenges I face throughout the year,” she said. “But some that I anticipate and really want to work on ahead of time will be my pre-planning and time management in the classroom.”

Walker is the assistant Uniontown High School Girls Basketball coach, and also coaches in the youth basketball program.

Her family includes:  husband Tyler Walker and five daughters: Maya, Kennedy, Blayke, Berkley, and Jymma.
Laykn Rucker. Submitted photo.
Lakyn Rucker, will be a new first grade teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School.
She graduated from Ottawa University, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Elementary Education.
Rucker was a preschool teacher in Nevada for a year and then came to St. Mary’s Catholic School where she I taught kindergarten the last two years, she said.
For Rucker, the best part about teaching is seeing a student’s growth throughout a years time. “It is so rewarding,” she said.
She and husband, Riley,  have three children – Chate, Huxley, and Korbyn.
“When we aren’t working or chasing our kids around from one event to another, we enjoy being outside and spending time with our
family and friends,” she said.
Amanda Ostrander. Submitted photo.
Amanda Ostrander is a new preschool teacher at West Bourbon Elementary.

She received her education from  Fort Hays State University and has taught five years, with experience in special education and second grade.

“Forming relationships with my students and their families is the best thing about teaching,” she said . “(and)Finding ways to make learning fun!”

A challenge for her is “finding time for myself and finishing up all the additional courses I want to take.”
Her family includes her husband, five kids, and three dogs.
Abby Onelio. Submitted photo.

Abby Onelio will be teaching junior high and high school Spanish.

She earned a bachelors degree from Pittsburg State University in 2002; a Masters from Fort Hays State University in 2021 and has
five years teaching Spanish and English as a Second Language at Arkansas City High School.

“The best part of teaching for me is helping students to grow, improve and overcome obstacles,” she said.

For her, the biggest challenge for the upcoming school year will be so many big changes all at once, she said.

“My family and I are looking forward to becoming involved in the Uniontown and southeast Kansas community,” Onelio said.

She is married to Robert Onelio, the new 7-12 principal at Uniontown. They have four kids–Mia, 19; Gabe, 18; Natalia, 16; and Eva, 11.