The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce organizes a town-wide garage sale annually, this year it is May 10-11.
“It’s to bring people to town and provide a fun event for the community,” Lindsay Madison, executive director said. “When people visit Fort Scott for the sale they typically also eat lunch here, get gas and patronize other businesses. The event allows those who have a sale to make money, then go out and purchase more from local retailers and restaurants.”
Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
“People are just beginning to sign up. We hope to have at least 30 sales participating so we encourage people to register! It is a quick and easy way to clean out your closets, garage or storage shed and make some extra cash.
Maps will be available starting Thursday, May 9th at 10 am at the following locations: Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, 5 Corners, and all Pete’s Convenience Store locations.
The $10 registration to list each garage sale contributes to the budget for the Chamber to advertise the sale across the region and to print hundreds of copies of the listing and map for the distribution locations.
Advertising includes radio, newspaper, and paid social media.
The more sales that are listed the more budget there is to advertise to make the overall sale more successful.
The Chamber also sells blocks of advertising to businesses and organizations for $25 each which also funds marketing of the sale.
Businesses and organizations are invited to place an ad along with a coupon if desired.”
The Spring Town-wide Garage Sale is usually planned in conjunction with the Pioneer Harvest Swap Meet at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds which is typically the second weekend in May.
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Swap Meet
is May 10-11 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, west off Hwy. 69 on 23rd St.
Click below for its website:
“The Pioneer Harvest committee mails out several thousand postcards advertising both the swap meet and the town-wide garage sale, so it is a good partnership between the Chamber and that organization,” Madison said.
“The Swap Meet gates will open at 8 a.m. both Friday and Saturday the 10th and 11th and will have something for everyone including antique gas engines, antique auto parts, farm tractors and parts, farm equipment and accessories, and general garage sale items.”
Jill Leiker, Kansas City, center facing the camera, gives combat strategies to females of all ages Saturday at the T.A.K.E. Class at Fort Scott Middle School.From left: Roger Kemp, initiator of the T.A.K.E. Self Defence Class, Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, and Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center show a facsimile of the check that was given to the T.A.K.E. Program before the class began on April 27. The sheriff’s office donated $3,000 to the T.A.K.E. Foundation.
Awareness, boundary setting, and combat strategies were given to The Ally Kemp Education (T.A.K.E.)class participants on Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.
Ninety-eight females from 12 years old and up participated in the first female self-defense class in Fort Scott by the T.A.K.E. Foundation, Leawood.
Jill Leiker, from Kansas City, was the class instructor,
If someone makes you uncomfortable, “look at them, take a step ahead and look again at their face,” she said.
This is the first step to deter would-be assailants, Leiker said.
Then she showed the class some combat strategies.
The class participants practiced the strategies with a partner.
Leiker said women often have an inner voice that tells of impending danger.
“Don’t ever feel silly about telling Law Enforcement, if you have that gut feeling that something isn’t right,” Leiker said. “Listen to that voice, that gut feeling is most of the time correct.”
“An average predator watches you six to 12 times,” she said.
Before the class, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin presented T.A.K.E. Foundation Founder Roger Kemp with a check for $3,000.
“A portion of VIN (auto) inspection fees are paid directly to the Sheriff’s office and by statute can be used at the discretion of the sheriff,” said Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin.
“The TAKE program charges a $12 fee for each person who participates,” he said. “Briggs Auto paid the registration fees for anyone stopped by and signed up to attend. Other businesses gave donations to offset any woman having to pay to attend. The amount given to the Kemp Foundation was $4,787, which included the donation from the sheriff’s office.”
Expo attendees moved around to the vendor’s tables before the first whole group educational panel discussion on the opioid crisis.
Aging with Attitude Regional Expo filled the gym of Community Christian Church on Friday to hear breakout speakers on the opioid crisis, scams against senior citizens, life with partial sight, veteran’s benefits, gardening, farm families in tough times, and getting beyond superficial conversations.
Aaron and Lindsay Watts, Smallville Crossfit owners, facing the camera, lead the group in exercises.
Aaron and Lindsay Watts, owners of Smallville Crossfit, Fort Scott, demonstrated exercises that can even be done from a chair.
Patty LaRoche gave an inspirational speech on “What Matters Most.”
There are four components of aging to find contentment, she said, which include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues. She listed humorous and contemplative examples of each component.
Patty LaRoche
And door prizes galore were handed to attendees by vendors, businesses and organizations.
Resource fair vendors were Girard Medical Center, K-State Extension, Hometown Health Care, Moore-Few Care Center, Arrowood Lane Residential Care, Kansas Agricultural Medication Services, Heritage Health Care, Medicalodges Fort Scott, Southeast Kansas Library System, Integrity Home Care and Hospice, Presbyterian Village, Resource Center for Independent Living, State Farm Insurance, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Angels Care Home Health, Ascension Via Christi, SKIL Resource Center and Kansas AgrAbility.
A panel session on the opioid crisis was composed of, from left facing camera: Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Pharmacist Craig Campbell, Community Health Center Peer Mentor Heather Burns, Community Health Center Addiction Treatment Amy Phillips, and Fort Scott Police Department Chief Travis Shelton. Moderator is K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller at right.Ginger Nance and Becky Kellum, Presbyterian Village personnel, visit with a person at their booth.State Farm Insurance Agent Kale Nelson visits with an attendee.Denise Groene, director of Wichita Better Business Bureau, leads the session entitled “Scams Against Seniors.”LaShawn Noel, a social worker with Integrity Home Care and Hospice, leads a session on “Getting Beyond ‘I’m Fine'”.“Helping You and Your Family Through a Tough Farm Economy,” was a session led by Char Henton, Forrest Buhler and Gary Kepka from Kansas Agricultural Medication Services.Veteran Services Representative Ryon Knop leads the session “Veteran’s Benefits for Spouse and Dependents.”“Living a Full Life with Partial Sight” was a session led by Southeast Kansas Library Special Needs Consultant Melissa Frantz and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Amanda Smith.K-State Horticulture Agent Krista Harding leads the session “Garden At Any Age.”Pharmacist Craig Campbell leads an expanded session on the opioid crisis.
Additional support for the expo was provided by Community Christian Church, Dale and Betty Johnson, Cheney Witt Funeral Home.
Helping with introducing the speakers were 15 Fort Scott Community College Ambassadors, with help serving the meal provided by Fort Scott Community College Volleyball Students.
A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas helped support this expo event.
Spring cleaning is the time to clean up your yards, attics, garage and closets.
Next weekend, a small town in the area will be renting huge trash hauling bins to helps its citizens to do just that.
Uniontown City Council helps provide the town’s citizens a way to get rid of unwanted, unsightly items.
The city council rents huge trash hauling bins twice a year, once before Uniontown High School graduation in May and again before Old Settlers Picnic weekend, in August, this year May 3-5 and August 23-25.
The bins are located on city property near the corner of First and Clay Streets.
The city property where the trash bins will be located for the clean up day.
“This assists our residents with the clean up of their property and to keep our town clean and appealing to visitors,” Sally Johnson, Uniontown City Clerk, said.
Absolutely no tires, batteries, or freon are allowed in the city’s trash hauling bins.
The city will recycle metal.
“There will be an area to the side (of the bins) for metal objects that are then taken for recycling,” Johnson said.
The town-wide clean up is for Uniontown residents only.
Kim Schwab, left, Roger Kemp, and Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin talk with Bourbon County Attorney Jacqui Spradling at the March 29 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee. Schwab, Kemp, and Martin talked about the upcoming self-defense class initiated by the Sheriff’s Office to coffee attendees.
The Ali Kemp Education Foundation, T.A.K.E., will present a class on female self-defense, this Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.
The class is from 10 a.m. to noon.
“The first part of the class is a lecture on safety awareness,” said Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center who is handling the registration for the event. “The second part is combat training, hands-on techniques done with a partner.”
Schwab has taken the class in another town and highly recommends women take personal responsibility for their own safety.
“We are offering the class because we live in dangerous times and every women’s personal safety is her personal responsibility,” Schwab said. “It is a survival skill that women of every age should know.”
A $12 donation is requested, but it is not required, she said.
“It actually costs more than $12 per person to bring the class to town,” Schwab said.
To register, contact Schwab at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center at 620-223-1440, extension 270.
Local sponsors of the event are Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance, Stewart-Tucker Realty, The City of Fort Scott, Briggs Auto Dealership, City State Bank, McDonalds Restuarant, Kenny Felt Photography, Martin Rental Properties (Alisha Martin), Liberty Bank, Iron Star Antiques, Fort Scott Inn and Liberty Theater/Crooner’s.
“Seventy-nine have registered so far and you can register clear up until the class on Saturday,” Schwab said. “Just show up and you can register then. Women under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.”
“Women should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (sneakers) so they can move easily,” Schwab said.
“Roger Kemp will be coming and speaking at the beginning of the class about his foundation, The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, and the reason his family is doing this for women all across the country,” Schwab said.
Kemp’s daughter was raped and murdered in Leawood, a suburb of Kansas City. Following the tragedy, the Kemp family initiated the foundation to provide self-defense classes to females.
Barbara Stockebrand, Adult Development and Aging, Southwind Extension District, Aging With Attitude Regional Expo, Chairperson.
Inspiration and education are the themes of an event aimed at older adults this Friday.
The Aging With Attitude Expo is a one-day event for aging adults and their family members, according to Barbara Stockebrand, chairperson of the event.
There is a resource fair, breakout sessions, and a keynote speaker with lunch for those who attend.
K-State Research and Extension along with area community partners are bringing the Aging With Attitude Regional Expo to the venue of Community Christian Church in Fort Scott, on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The church is located at 1919 S. Horton, across from Fort Scott Community College.
Registration fee is $25.
Current registrations of 134 are nearing the capacity set for the expo, Stockebrand said.
Registration information can be found on the Facebook page below.
Community partners for the event include the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Medicalodges Inc., Southeast Kansas Library System, Angels Care Home Health, Integrity Home Care + Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Fort Scott Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
The goal of the expo is to empower older adults to make more confident and proactive decisions that influence how they age by sharing information and education throughout the day.
Educational topics promote positive attitudes about aging and educate participants on issues supporting physical, mental, and financial health.
Key note presenter, Patty LaRoche will speak on “What Matters Most – Learning Contentment in Life.”
Patty LaRoche
Participants will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of breakout session topics that address issues facing older adults.
A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas has provided support for this expo.
Riverfront Park, North National Avenue past the orange bridge over the Marmaton River.
The east side of the Belltown Walking Trail in Riverfront Park is a shady place to enjoy a walk, but at times it is too dark.
“We’ve had some ladies that said at dusk, it gets pretty dark,” Jerry Witt, president of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board, said. “So we purchased 14 poles and downlights and bases.”
The tall deciduous trees give shade to walkers on the Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park.
“The lighting will be installed in the next few weeks on the east side of the walking trail, where it is darker, it’s close to the lookout,” Witt said. “We would like for (the lighting) to go over to the Mercy Hospice Memorial part. We will add more lights later, this is what we can afford now.”
The lights will be LED downlights, he said, “that will shine on the trail.”
An electrician will install them, with the City of Fort Scott providing the concrete bases for the lights.
There was grant money left following the building of the pavilion and the overlook boardwalk which were completed last year, Witt said. This leftover grant money will fund the lighting segment.
2018 Was a Busy Year For Improvements in Riverfront Park
Two projects in the park were completed last year.
The pavilion was built near the park entrance and has electricity, with a parking lot nearby.
Good Ol’ Days, the annual Fort Scott town-wide event, begins on Thursday, May 30 and runs through Saturday, June 1, this year.
There have been a few changes in venue for some of the events.
Rhonda Dunn, a member of the Good Ol’ Days Steering Committee, answered the following questions posed to her from fortscott.biz.
Why change of venue for the dances, from outside to inside?
“The committee wanted to move away from the street dance format because they haven’t been well attended in recent years. We did a survey after last year’s festival and people wanted it to stay downtown so we were looking for a solution. The cost of a concert quality stage was very expensive so we opted to utilize Memorial Hall so we can have great concerts without the worry of rain.”
Why the change of venue for the carnival?
“The carnival is a very popular part of the Good Old Days but has been limited by the space we can provide. By moving them to the parking lot at 3rd and Main, we can give them more space which we hope results in more rides and bigger rides.”
Anything else new?
“We are collaborating with Velocity’s Customer Appreciation event and the trolley will shuttle people between the two events making it one great festival. They are planning a BIG car show and motorcycle show and are even giving away a Harley Davidson motorcycle!
The Friday and Saturday night concerts are a big change for the festival and we hope it becomes a fixture of the festival for years to come. Friday night’s concert is the 90’s country band, Restless Heart. Saturday night will be a Beach Party in Memorial Hall with the #1 Beach Boys Tribute Band in the US, Still Surfin.”
The annual baby contest is always well attended.
Who is on the committee?
“The (Good Ol’ Days) Steering Committee is Shawn Obrien, Charlotte Thompson, Janet Braun, Leah Bowman, Carl Brenner, Melissa Wise, Allyson Turvey. Many other people work with the committee to make all these events happen. We are looking for volunteers to help not only with this year’s festival but work throughout the year to plan for the next year too. Volunteers can contact me by text or call at 620-224-1186.
Jess Ervin is the new CEO of the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program. Submitted photo.
Jess Ervin, Uniontown, transitioned to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Southeast Kansas Community Action Program on January 1, 2019.
“I replaced Steve Lohr, who was with SEK-CAP for nearly 40 years,” Ervin said. “He had served as CEO since 1999.”
Ervin’s office is located in Girard, at the SEK-CAP Central Office facility on North Sinnet Street.
“This location houses the Agency’s administrative offices, as well as office space for our Early Childhood Services staff,” Ervin said. “Also located here is an annex facility, in which our housing services and transportation departments are located.”
Ervin is a Bourbon County resident.
“I graduated from Uniontown High School in 2002, Fort Scott Community College in 2004 and Pittsburg State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration,” he said.
“From 2006 to 2014, I worked at Mercy Health Center Fort Scott, first as a staff accountant, then as a senior accountant,” he said. “Following that time I transitioned into the role of a senior financial analyst for Mercy of Southwest Missouri and Kansas, where I worked until January of 2017. In January of 2017, I was hired as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for SEK-CAP. I served in that capacity until the end of 2018.”
What does the future look like with Ervin as CEO?
“We will continue to serve the children, families and communities in the twelve counties in southeast Kansas,” Ervin said. “Our current services include Community Engagement, Early Childhood Services, Housing and Transportation.”
“We are currently engaged in completing a Community Needs Assessment for our service area that will combine both qualitative and quantitative data factors to determine areas of need, and to identify opportunities for change.”
SEK-CAP is active in Bourbon County.
“Right now in Bourbon County, we are active through Community Engagement, Housing Services and Early Childhood Services. Community Engagement encompasses community planning, involvement and needs assessment,” he said.
“Our housing services in Bourbon County include the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) which can be utilized for homelessness assistance. Our wait list for TBRA is currently open and is set to close April 30th for the current grant cycle.”
“Early Childhood services include both a center-based (Head Start, ages 3-5) model that is housed in a classroom of the Fort Scott Preschool building, and Home-Based Services (Early Head Start and Head Start, prenatal through age 5), which are services delivered by staff who conduct weekly visits to children in their home, and work directly with the parents to promote healthy development. SEK-CAP’s Early Childhood programs promote school readiness for children prenatally to age five for low-income families by supporting the development of the whole child. Each Early Childhood program supports families in fulfilling their roles as parents and movement towards self-sufficiency by offering comprehensive services such as education, nutrition, medical, dental, mental health, employment services, leadership development and community engagement.”
“Each program our agency offers is vitally important to the success of the families and communities we serve, and we can proudly say that the skill and passion that our over 200 staff has for helping people is a cornerstone to all programs.”
Ervin encourages people to visit the agency website at www.sek-cap.com to learn more, and also on facebook and twitter – Southeast Kansas Community Action Program/@SEKCAPINC.
The mission of SEK CAP addresses the causes and effects of poverty by uniting staff, individuals, families and community partners to provide quality comprehensive services through compassionate, respectful relationships.
Joyce Davenport, right, President of Progressive Mothers Club of Fort Scott, presenting $200 to Janet Tucker for Bags of Love ministry on April 4. Submitted photo.
The local Fort Scott Progressive Mothers’ Club has been very active through the years, according to Shirley Palmer a member.
The local group recently presented Janet Tucker with a check for $200 to help with the project which helps children.
“At their recent meeting in April, Janet Tucker, Bourbon County chapter President spoke to the group and talked about It’s My Very Own BAGS OF LOVE project,” Palmer said. “It is championing the immediate needs of the displaced child.”
“This is a local mission project for Bourbon County,” Tucker noted. “Where a group of volunteer women meets each week at the Seventh-Day Adventist church to sew comforters and duffle bags.”
Locally, the group program is called It’s My Very Own, Bags of Love.
“When a child is removed from their home for reasons out of their control, a bag is filled with gender and age-appropriate items,” which is then given to the child, Tucker said.
When a child is removed from their home by the local protective service, often they can take nothing with them but the clothes on their back.
It’s My Very Own, is dedicated to providing a bag with personal care age and gender appropriate items for children from birth to 17 years old.
“These consist of basic body care items, stuffed animals, new toys, clothes, socks, p.j.’s, books, journals, diapers, baby care items, and then packed with lots of love and prayers,” Tucker said.
Items currently needed: large/small stuffed animals (can be gently used), new toys, puzzles, coloring books/crayons, journals, pens, craft kits, shampoo/body wash, toothpaste/toothbrush, deodorant, combs/brushes, hair bows, and seasonal items, according to information provided.
The supply list for duffle bags/comforters is colorful cotton/poly fabric, thread, twin flat sheets, high loft batting, thick cording, 1-inch buttons.
Needed items for children “aging out” of foster care: laundry detergent and basket, Clorox wipes, paper towels, all-purpose cleaners, dish soap/sponge, stain remover, dryer sheets, trash bags, tampons/pads, body wash/soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, towels/washcloths, small first aid kit, small lock box to keep important papers in, basic tool set, flashlight, batteries, planner for them to keep track of appointments, school supplies, blankets, basic cooking supplies, Walmart Gift Cards in increments of $25.
Also needed are prayers, monetary gifts and ink and paper for printing, stamps, blade replacements, sewing pins/needles, and volunteers.
For more information contact Tucker at 620-768-9356.
About Progressive Mother Club
The following is from a press release from Palmer:
“The local Progressive Mothers’ Club meets monthly, September-April, with the purpose of helping and promoting children and their activities.
The local group had a yearly membership of 24 people for many years and there used to be a waiting list for ladies in the community wanting to join. They met in homes for many years.
Today their membership is eighteen and they often still meet in homes of members or in a place in the community.
Through the years the local group has participated often in the Christmas Parades, Good ‘Ol Days parades, always promoting children. Their objective is to promote and to help children.
They have helped with the Mother to Mother ministry by donating items many times. They give money to each of the schools for needed items for children throughout the school years.
They often donate to families with children who have experienced house fires and who have lost everything. They adopt children of various ages at Christmas time and provide special Christmas gifts to them.
All in all, this club is a very caring and giving organization.
The Progressive Mothers’ Club was founded in March 1918 in Dayton, Ohio.
The purpose of the club was to bring together local mothers for social and educational functions that were meant to nurture and enhance their role as mothers.
The Progressive Mothers sought to provide opportunities for mothers to learn about child development, nurturing family environments, and the stresses associated with youth and families. The non-profit group prided itself on providing welfare and advocacy for all children.
The Progressive Mothers’ Club joined the Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1921, as well as later joining the National Federation of Women’s Clubs.
The official Progressive Mothers’ Club on the national level disbanded in 2003 but many Progressive Mothers’ alumni are still active and functioning in local clubs such as the Fort Scott group.
Joyce Davenport has been the local president the past two years. Shirley Palmer was installed as the new president for the Fort Scott group at their April meeting. Other officers are Donna Wilson, vice-president; Teri Campbell, Secretary, and Connie Finley treasurer.”
For more information about the club: contact Shirley Palmer at 620-223-4105.
Ronni and Dane Clayton are the new owners of Union Station, Uniontown.
Union Station, in the small town of Uniontown, population 267, has new owners.
The station has been the gathering place/gas station/convenience store in Uniontown for about 20 years, under the ownership of Susan and Ron Eldridge.
Ronni, 32, and Dane, 33, Clayton of rural western Bourbon County, purchased Union Station from the Eldridges, on April 1, 2019.
“We’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit,” Ronni said. “This came up for sale. We’ve known the Eldridges for years.”
“It seemed like it would be a good investment for the community and our girls, ages 6 and 4,” Ronni said.
Both are graduates of Uniontown High School, Ronni in 2005 and Dane in 2004, and had attended school with the Eldridge’s daughters.
The best thing for the Clayton’s so far is the community, Dane said.
“It’s been great, especially in the morning,” Ronni said. “Friends and family, everybody knows everybody.”
The Claytons have no current plans to change the business.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Ronni said.
The phone number remains 620-756-4884.
The summer hours have taken effect and are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Both continue to work other jobs and fill in shifts when needed at Union Station.
Dane works for Walmart.
“I do heating and air conditioning for Walmart,” Dane said. “My job is flexible.”
Ronni works for the Farm Service Agency in Fort Scott.
The two were working a shift Saturday evening so some employees could attend the Uniontown High School prom, just down the road.
Other employees are Schotze Griffiths, manager; Christy Pritchett, Tammy Davidson, Nicole Clayton, Candace Clayton, Danea Esslinger, and additional high school students.
David Brown, 55, was recently hired by USD 234 to be the Fort Scott Middle School Principal.
” My wife and I will be moving back to Fort Scott in June into my childhood home,” Brown said. “I look forward to the opportunity to once again serve my community. Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.”
Brown is a Fort Scott native.
He is a 1981 Graduate Fort Scott High School, 1982 Graduate Fort Scott Community College, 1985 Graduate Baker University Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and History, and in 2015 he graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Master of Science in Educational Leadership.
“I started my teaching career at Raymore-Peculiar High School and after a year I was fortunate to return to Fort Scott and assume a teaching position at Fort Scott Middle School where I taught Math, Civics, and History for 13 years,” Brown said. “I then transferred to the high school teaching history and PE. I coached football, basketball, wrestling, and track at the middle school during my time there and coached football, wrestling, track, and softball at the high school. I was head wrestling coach from 1995 until 2016. In 2016, I became assistant principal at Chanute High School and have been in that position until now.”
Brown’s first love was coaching and to coach is to teach, he said.
“I had siblings who had entered the field of education,” Brown said. “I could see how their influence on students inspired learning. I saw the joy that came over both student and teacher when that spark of learning and success took place. I knew I wanted to have that impact and that experience.”
“I believe every worthy educator has been inspired to teach but seldom is the inspiration singular. We educators are inspired by our own teachers, our family, and our friends. ”
“The joy of being in education is knowing you have a tremendous impact on the future. What we do every day in classrooms directly affects the lives of the children, families, and the community we serve. ”
He believes education is facing a challenging future.
“The children we are teaching today are experiencing access to information at a rate unseen in history,” Brown said. “The skills we provide them with are preparing them for careers and jobs that have yet to be invented. The ten most in-demand jobs today were not even in existence ten years ago. Our challenge is to equip our kids with the tools to achieve their dreams whatever that may be.”
Brown is married to Stacy and has four daughters: Cori, Morgan, Addi, and Riley.
