This is part of a series of new educators in the Fort Scott School District.
Sydney Cullison, 24, is the new Fort Scott High School Agriculture Teacher.
She taught previously at Neodesha for two years.
Education: Bachelor in Agriculture Education and minor in Agronomy from Kansas State University, pursuing a Masters in Educational Administration.
Hometown: Fort Scott. She is the daughter of Richard and Deanna Cullison and Landon and Nancy Simons.
Her interests outside of her career are checking cattle and raising Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
Why did you become an educator?
“To combine my passion for agriculture and education.”
Did someone inspire you?
“Yes, a few people did! My auntie, who is an 8th-grade teacher in Missouri. I used to go to school with her when I was young and knew I wanted to be like her one day, since I was three! Mr. Parks led me to go to Kansas State for ag. education. In my senior year, I knew that ag. ed. is where I belonged!”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The best part is being able to travel and take kids places they have never been and show them what agriculture is really like.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“Being a younger teacher.”
Madeline Martin, 23, is the new gifted teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary and Fort Scott High School.
“I am a first-year teacher and extremely excited to get started! ” she said.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pittsburg State University. “I am currently pursuing a degree in School Counseling from Pittsburg State University>”
Hometown: Fort Scott, KS
Family:
“I have been married for a year and a half to my husband, Drew. We have a sweet kitty cat named Pebbles. Drew and I are high school sweethearts and both attended Fort Scott High School. Both my parents (Mark and Mo McCoy) and Drew’s parents (Paul and Kara Martin) are active members of the community and a wonderful part of our family!”
Hobbies/community involvement
“I enjoy cooking, baking, going on walks, crafting, being at the lake, snuggling with Pebbles, and coaching the swim team. I am a coach for the Fort Scott Hurricanes and I am excited to get back and be involved in the Fort Scott community! My husband and I also have our own small wedding business, I love helping couples make their dream day special!”
Why did you become an educator?
“I became an educator because I want to help ensure that all students have a safe space filled with love, compassion, and guidance. I want to help my students find their voice, to make a difference in this world, and having the opportunity to watch them learn is a joy for me. Each and every student has something to bring to the table and I want them to be able to know what they can bring to help better themselves, their community, and everyone they interact with.”
Did someone inspire you?
“Patty Smilie was the lady who started it all for me in high school. I had never thought about wanting to work in education and kept trying to suppress it in college, but quickly figured out that I have a love for serving others and wanting to help students as much as I possibly can. Mrs. Smilie always let me hang out in her office, helped me with a bunch of fun projects, and always had an encouraging word for me. She sparked my love for counseling and the thought to be an educator. I am so excited to see where this current path in education takes me, and hopefully one day it’s a counseling office. A few other teachers that inspired me to think about education are Mrs. Karen Curran, Mrs. Michelle Brittain, and Dr. Jason Lloyd.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“Seeing all of the ‘ah-ha moments’ that students encounter is one of the coolest parts for me. Whether that moment is in discovering something about themselves, within a subject we’re discovering, or anything in between. Seeing students make the connections or finding their joy/purpose is one of the coolest experiences to be a part of.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“Having to watch them go home at the end of the day and especially at the end of the school year. Some days it never seems like enough time to love on them or help each student, but it is rewarding seeing them move on and see what they have accomplished throughout the year.”