This is part of a series telling about the new teachers in our community.

Theresa Hurd is a new preschool teacher for USD 234.

Name: Theresa Hurd.

Title: Preschool teacher for USD 234

Experience: Taught preschool with Head Start for 13 years.

Education: In 2003, I graduated from Pittsburg State University with my Bachelors in Family and Consumer Science with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Development. This past summer I was accepted into the Teacher Apprentice Program at Wichita State University. I am currently taking online courses to earn my teachers license and certification for Special Education.

Family:  “My family has been a huge support to me.” Husband, Doug,  and ten-year-old daughter, Elsie who will be starting 5th grade.

Affiliations: Attends the Fort Scott Nazarene Church.

“I feel that I was called to teach. I want to have a positive impact on children and their families. For me, teaching can be challenging, rewarding and so much fun!”

Jayton Johnson, 2 years old, and his sister, Joci Johnson, 6, play on the new musical instrument equipment at the Winfield Scott Elementary School east playground on Monday.

New playground equipment was installed at the school last week with a $10,000 grant from a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.

Two handicapped accessible swings, musical instruments, soccer goals and a comet spinner were added to the school’s playgrounds.

Most of the additions were to the east playground.

In addition, a smaller grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield was awarded for stencils, paint and some playground games, according to information provided by the school.

This evening, August 21, is the school’s open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

This is a series featuring new teachers in our community.

Dane Cummings is the new Fort Scott High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA Sponsor.

Name: Dane Cummings

This is part of a series of new teachers in our community.

Curtis Horton is the new social studies teacher at Fort Scott High School.

Name: Curtis Horton

Affiliations Coaching football, basketball, and track.

This is a part of a series featuring the new teachers in our community.

Amber Malone is a new third-grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

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.”