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

School starts August 18.

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 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.”