Union State Bank, the Fort Scott Branch, is in the final stages of an addition of 1,200 square feet to its building.
“We were running into problems with space,” CEO and President Bryan Holt said. “We looked at every way possible to not expand the foot print.”
But the bank administration decided to add a 20 by 60 foot addition for its growing support staff and also to upgrade security.
The lobby was shortened and reconfigured to have more space for employee work stations, and the addition added five new offices and two new bathrooms.
In October 2021 the project was started.
“It will be 99 percent completed in 30 days,” Vice President of Information Technology Dustin McClure said on June 23. McClure was also the project manager of the expansion.
“We’ve got pods, like cubicles, to build,” McClure said. “This will seat a total of eight people.”
“This will improve accessibility and privacy needs of our customers,” Senior Loan Officer Katie Casper said.
“New offerings with debit card capabilities, improved customer experience and improved card experience are on the horizon for the bank,” Holt said.
The bank building, located at 1009 S. Clark, was completed in 1992, when Union State Bank opened the branch in Fort Scott.
The headquarters of the two banks is in Uniontown, where the business started in 1901.
The bank listed the following businesses who have provided services/products for the expansion:
Project General Manager: Bo Casper (owner of Casper Enterprises)
Casper Enterprises LLC
Alpha Roofing
Big Sugar Lumber and Home Center
Craw-Kan Telephone
Davis Drywall
Geiger Plumbing
Greenwood Plaster Company
Jeff Allen Electric
LACO Guttering
Norris Heating & Air
Peerless Products Inc.
Phillips Flooring
Redbud Farms and Nursery
Ruddick’s Furniture
Stoughton Inc
Thomas Concrete & Construction
CEO Bryan Holt shows the wall that was once the outside wall on the Fort Scott Branch of Union State Bank. The 20 by 60 expansion was added onto the south side of the building.
Cody McGehee started a new power washing business this month in Fort Scott.
“I am the owner and operator,” he said. “The name of my business is called Precision Power Washing. I live and operate in Fort Scott…and will also be providing services for the surrounding areas as well.”
McGehee, 28, works a full-time day job and is available to pressure wash from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
“My services will include pressure washing, soft washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, siding cleaning, patio/ deck cleaning, driveway cleaning, sidewalk cleaning, residential and commercial cleaning,” he said. “I will also be doing automotive cleaning as well as boats and RV/ campers.”
“I have multiple years experience power washing concrete surfaces, but am now taking on different types of surfaces while continuing to educate myself in the field,” he said. “I take pride in my work and support and promote local businesses as often as possible.”
McGehee finds the work satisfying.
“I began this journey with the support of my friends and family,” he said. “I am following a dream and a passion. Pressure washing is an art in my eyes. It is very satisfying work and is very rewarding. To be able to restore someone’s property to its glory and see them stunned by the ‘after look’ of a finished product gives my heart joy. I have always been a guy to try and make people happy. To me, this is a great way to see people happy. Restoring the pride people have in their property is an amazing feeling. I am looking forward to serving Fort Scott and the surrounding areas!”
The board of directors of Kansas Rocks Recreation Park. Submitted photo.
Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, located at 2051 130th Road, Mapleton, offers a 380 acre off-road park open to 4-wheel-drives, side-by-sides, mountain bikes and hikers.
Kanrocks Recreation Association Inc. is made up of 30 volunteer members and is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit business.
The founder and president is David Killion.
David Killion stands in front of the rock sign at Kansas Rocks. Submitted photo.
For those just starting in four-wheel drive adventures, the organization offers classes.
“We offer Off-Roading 101 classes and the next class is July 23 followed by a fall class on Sept 17,” Killion said.
The park is busy throughout the year with events.
“We also have our largest regular Frostbite event the last Saturday in February,” he said. “Our Creep-Crawl Halloween event is the third weekend in October that offers a ton of things for the kids and adults, ending the night in a haunted trail ride. We also have events sponsored and put on by clubs like the Sunflower Run in June. There is also an Adopt-A-Trail program where clubs come in and help do trail maintenance for a half day, twice a year, in exchange for a free half day of wheeling.”
Submitted photo.
“We are open Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays,” Killion said. “The cost is $25 per vehicle and driver and $5 per passenger over 12.”
“We have RV parking and tent camping, picnic shelters, a pavilion, shower house restrooms and a kids playground,” he said.
“We have separate costs for camping and RV and offer 2 and 3-day discounts,” he said.
Camping reservations can be made at the website: ksrockspark.com. The park also has a Facebook page.
History of the park
“I started the first 4-wheel-drive club in the Kansas City area in the 1990’s and soon found out the closest, legal places to go off roading was about three hours away,” Killion said.
“I wanted to develop something closer and began searching for land, quarries, talking with farmers etc. In my search, I found a grant administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism that helped entities develop trail systems.”
“After applying for the grant, we looked at 150 pieces of land within 90 miles of the KC area. We found this great property and started building a premier off-road park. We are celebrating 19 years this year and will have a big event next year to celebrate 20 years.”
Fireworks over the Union State Bank, Uniontown, 2019. Submitted by Amy Holt.
The Uniontown fireworks display by Union State Bank is a go, but has moved to Friday, July 1.
That day will see the Uniontown Park fill with residents and visitors to view the fireworks which are purchased by the bank.
Free hot dogs, chips and a drink are provided for free from the bank.
“We usually serve about 500 hot dogs,” USB CEO and President Bryan Holt, said, but the crowd is bigger than that for the fireworks display.
In addition, there will be inflatable jump houses for the kids, a photo station for selfies and food and drink purchases from local vendors/organizations.
Additional food and drink offerings are:
Mimi’s Food Truck (turkey legs and funnel cakes)
Lora Ripper (popcorn)
Uniontown High School Cheerleaders (bake sale)
First Missionary Baptist Church raising funds for kids going to summer camp (pop/drinks)
Uniontown school kids and parents raising funds for Washington Workshop next summer (bake sale)
” We are still open for any organizations or vendors that would like to set up in the park,” said Amy Holt, who is Vice President of Loan Administration at the Uniontown branch. She is facilitating the event for the bank. “They can contact me at 620-756-4305 during business hours or by email at [email protected].”
There will be a disc jockey entertaining the crowd as well.
Since 2005, the bank has sponsored fireworks for the community on July 3, but since it fell on Sunday this year, the the CEO, Bryan Holt decided he didn’t want the employees to work on Sunday.
The bank employees plan the event and prepare and hand out the free hot dogs with chips and a bottle of water.
In addition, they didn’t want to conflict with Fort Scott’s Independence Day celebration on July 3, he said.
This event was originally a fund raiser for improving the Uniontown Park, but it is now “A way to say thanks to our customers,” Bryan Holt said.
Uniontown has been the headquarters for Union State Bank since 1901.
In 1992, the bank expanded operations and started a branch in Fort Scott. This year they have expanded again to accommodate more employees and upgrade security. There will be a feature of this expansion later this week on fortscott.biz.
In addition to family gatherings, there are some choices for celebrating America’s independence in 2022.
Fort Scott Celebrations
The Elks Lodge No. 579 community fireworks display will be at sundown July 3, as in years past.
“The fireworks show will be 20-25 minutes long,” Millie Lipscomb said.
The best spot is near south Horton Street.
“They can be seen from many spots around the community, but since they are shot from the ball field area behind Fort Scott Community College, prime locations are the fairgrounds, the Nazarene and Community Christian Church parking lots and the college parking lots.”
No personal fireworks can be shot off in those areas, by a City of Fort Scott ordinance.
“We’ve worked with a new pyrotechnics company this year to have higher lift on the fireworks so they can be seen from further away,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to contract a company with local ties that has allowed us to keep the prices achievable, but still it is up about 100% from the past few years. We are fortunate to be able to get the quality we have contracted for.”
Burke Street Parade
The Burke Street Fourth of July Parade is in its 40th year.
The neighborhood of Burke Street has people turn out in patriotic colors and clothing to celebrate the U.S.A. Fourth of July.
Some will be in the parade, some will be sitting in their lawnchairs, enjoying the fun.
“The parade will start at 10 a.m. at 10th and Burke, on the 4th,” Margaret Humphrey, one of the organizers, said. “It started in 1982 by myself, Susan Foster and Jill Gorman.”
Merl Humphrey in the first Burke Street Parade in 1982. Submitted photo.
“This year John and Carol Hill will host the refreshments, they live on the corner of 10th and Burke,” she said. “We want people to contribute cookies to them. Please donate by July 3.”
“This year we will have some kids that live on Burke Street lead the patriotic songs under the direction of Jill Gorman,” she said.
Phil Hammonds led the patriotic singing before the Burke Street Parade until his death in 2021. Submitted photo.
“Frankie Halsey will be in charge of traffic,” she said. “Barb Albright will be in charge of distributing fliers. I am not aware of other activities.”
Please no big vehicles in the parade.
If there is lightening the event is canceled, she said.
“Children are all over the place,” Humphrey said. “So cars and trucks drive safely.”
Fort Scott National Historic Site
Celebrate American independence with history at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Enjoy the sights and sounds and immersion in America’s history while honoring the service men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of the nation.
Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the 35th Division Infantry Band on Wednesday, June 29, beginning at 6:30 pm. The performance will be on the bricks in front of the Post Hospital/Visitor Center. Bring your lawn chair to ensure seating. Saturday through Monday, July 2 through 4, Fort Scott NHS will have artillery demonstrations, tours, programs, and living history activities throughout the day.
Wednesday, June 29
6:30 pm – 35th Division Infantry Band performing a kaleidoscope of pops, classical, and patriotic music.
Saturday, July 2
10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Historic Yard Games
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Flash Flood: Fort Scott and Westward Expansion Discussion
Sunday, July 3
10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Tales from the Trail: Santa Fe Trader Presentation
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Independence Day II: Fireworks at High Tide Discussion
Monday, July 4
10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Amputations and Ambulances: Civil War Medicine Discussion
All the graphics courtesy of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
The upcoming Fort Scott High School All Class Reunion has been in the making for about three years.
Fort Scott High School.
“We have been planning since 2019,” Lori Potter Farmer, FSHS Alumni President said. “The regularly scheduled reunion would have been in 2020, however with (the) COVID (pandemic) we’ve had to bump it back twice.”
“FSHS alumni has the all school reunion every five years on the 5,” she said. “Our next scheduled reunion will be in 2025, barring any problems.”
“The purpose (of the reunion) is to bring as many alumni back to one location, as well as their home town to gather with friends and family,” she said. “The alumni board works really hard to get as many people back as possible and to plan a great weekend for everyone.”
“Seeing those you went to school with most of your childhood is always a great time,” Farmer said. “Memories from the past are shared as well as new memories are made. It’s always fun to drag out the old annuals and look at pictures of classmates as well as teachers from the past.”
Registration starts at 9 a.m. on June 24 at the Fort Scott High School Gym.
M’Axe Throw House doesn’t have a sign up yet, but is located at 212 E. First Street.
A year in the making, the M’Axe Throw House is open as of the first of June 2022.
Similar to darts, axe throwing is a sport in which the competitor throws an axe at a target, attempting to hit as close as possible to a bullseye, according to https://bargames101.com/axe-throwing-101.
A few of the rules are: 1) no one with sandals on may throw and 2) children can throw if under age 18, but parents must be there also.
Mac Stoughton began working on the building storefront that would house his axe throwing sport business in April 2021. It is located at 212 E. First Street, between Scott Avenue and State Streets in Fort Scott, near the downtown area.
Mac Stoughton. Submitted photo.
“It took me that long because the building was in bad shape,” Stoughton said. By day he works at Stoughton Electric and Heating and Air Conditioning.
“We opened Good Ol’Days Weekend,” Stoughton said. “We offer entertainment and participating in a league.”
For walk in customers, he provides axes to throw.
League players have their own axes, he said.
For walk-in customers, the cost if $25 for 1.5 hours and he also offers knife throwing for $35 for 1.5 hours.
There are four seasons for axe throwing leagues and the first summer league event was on June 13.
“There are eight weeks of game play, then on week eight, we hold a tournament,” he said.
He currently has one employee, Cassandra Hueston.
Stoughton began an interest in axe throwing when looking for something to do, other than baseball, he said.
He found Main Street Axe Corp, in Pittsburg and started playing there in 2019.
“It sparked an interest,” he said. “I went on to enter three national championships. I placed in the top 20, a couple of times. In Tulsa there were 350 in the tournament, from all over the nation.”
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018. It currently houses Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, and I AM Rehab.
In December 2018, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed its’ doors.
Following this, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas reopened a medical clinic at the site at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. and Ascension Via Christi Hospital opened an emergency department, sharing a portion of the former hospital.
They both have leases until December 2022.
Noble Health Corporation entered the picture in 2021.
They completed a feasibility study for the Bourbon County Commission for reopening a hospital.
The City of Fort Scott contributed $200,000, the county contributed $800,000 towards the feasibility study, according to the contract that was signed June 25, 2021. The local government entities used American Rescue Plan money from the federal government for the project, according to Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth in a prior interview with fortscott.biz.
A prior feasibility assessment by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas had helped that health care system to make the decision to move to a different building, Krista Postai, CEO and President of CHC/SEK said.
In an interview with her, Postai was asked to compare the Noble Health Assessment to the CHC Assessment that was completed after CHC moved into the former Mercy Hospital building in 2018.
“We have a very comprehensive, detailed report county-by-county that has all the data one needs to make an informed decision on services, location, etc.,” she said. “We also have a strategic plan that is updated annually that maps out where we’re going, new services, etc. Prior to accepting Mercy’s offer to take their clinics, we had already prioritized Ft. Scott because we had almost 2,000 patients from Bourbon County which is enough to justify a site.”
“There was nothing new in Noble’s report that we already didn’t know or hadn’t already been discussed, including the rural emergency hospital concept that Ascension had always planned on pursuing if feasible,” she said. “In fact, much of our data is more current (2021) although, unfortunately, southeast Kansas isn’t getting healthier or wealthier so changes over the last 20 years have been minimal.”
Ascension Via Christ medical system brought an emergency department back to Fort Scott following Mercy Hospital’s closure and shares part of the former Mercy Hospital building with CHC.
“When we first agreed to transition Mercy’s clinic in the hospital over to us, Mercy indicated we had two years to find another location,” she said. “It was their belief that the building would ultimately be demolished unless we wanted to assume responsibility for it.”
“We sliced and diced all the costs based on actual operational data that Mercy supplied us and factored in roof replacement, the chillers and the boilers….all the things that were nearing the end of their useful life,” Postai said. “We also visited with multiple organizations about their interest in leasing space on a long-term basis that would cover the cost to operate and maintain it.”
“At that point, the county opted to present a counter proposal to Ascension at a much lower price per sq. ft. that would require the county to subsidize it, which they indicated they were willing to do. It seemed wise at that point to step back and let the county take the lead since emergency services was their priority.”
Decision to Move to Another Site
“Concerned about the ongoing costs of maintaining the building – and wanting a more efficient design plus a drive-in pharmacy, plus more diagnostic equipment and space to expand behavioral health services — we begin laying plans to move….and approached the Price Chopper owners about their building,” Postai said. “At that time, the asking price was way too high for us, so we asked Mercy for land on which to build which is how we got the eight acres behind the hospital. As we began design on a new building, the Price Chopper price dropped and we agreed it would be faster to renovate….and it was an ideal location. As we calculated, it was more financially feasible to own the building and make loan payments than it was to pay rent on space in a building with an uncertain future.”
The Price Chopper building, 2322 S. Main, is currently being remodeled into a health care clinic by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
David and Addi Foster with their children. Submitted photo.
June is National Dairy Month and fortscott.biz interviewed David and Lynda Foster, whose family operates Foster Dairy Farm southwest of Fort Scott on Hwy. 39 to get their perspective on the current state and the future of the dairy industry.
David and his wife, Addi, are in partnership with his mom and dad, Lynda and Gary Foster.
Lynda and Gary Foster, from her Facebook page.
Lynda’s grandfather, Ed Davis began the farm in the 1940s, she said.
Now the fifth generation, David and Addi’s oldest daughters, Ansley, 15, and Mayla, 13 are helping on the farm.
The following is an interview with David and Lynda.
Tell about the state of dairy farms in Kansas.
“Currently there are 209 dairy farms in Kansas and while we may have lost numbers of dairy farming operations, we are growing in cow numbers with Kansas currently having about 142,000 mature milking cows,” Lynda Foster said. “Kansas is ranked 15th in the nation.”
“There is a new Hillmar Cheese plant in construction expected to come online in about 2.5 years from now, where we also expect to see an additional 100,000 cows to be added to the state,” she said.
The Hillmar Cheese Processing Plant will be a state-of-the-art facility in Dodge City, in western Kansas.
How did the pandemic effect your farm?
“We experienced primarily supply chain disruptions,” David Foster said. “It didn’t change the work that needed to be done daily. We still traveled to get supplies like alfalfa, and feed and mineral. It canceled annual meetings in organizations that we are a part of. Like everyone, there were certain precautions that were to be made if someone got sick.”
What is happening now in the industry?
“Exports are still up, and expected to be higher this year, 1 in 6 semi tanker loads of milk gets exported” Lynda said.
“Milk prices are on the rise and setting records in some areas, so are a lot of our inputs, especially feeds, fertilizers, fuels – all of these input costs are outpacing the increased milk price,” she said. “Some of the most notable current events in the dairy industry was, of course, the baby formula shortage.”
What is on the horizon for the dairy industry from your perspective?
“I believe that we will continue to see consolidation, dairy farms getting larger, smaller farms disappearing,” David said. “I believe that the days of families deriving their sole income from the dairy are gone. Today, a farmer on a smaller dairy, less than 300 cows, needs a spouse off-farm to make it and provide for their families additional income as well as health insurance.”
“Automated Milking Systems will continue to grow in use and will allow farms to alleviate the woes associated with a depleted/barely existent labor market,” he said. “Recent reports showed that for every person that doesn’t have a job, there are 2 jobs available. This means that farming operations struggle to compete in wages against other industries and also struggle to entice labor due to the traditional physical demands and long hours of a farming operation.”
Automatic, or robotic,milking systems usually operate without someone being present to supervise the milking process and have been in use for the past decade on commercial farms, according to sciencedirect.com
The Foster’s have an automated milking system that allows the cows to come in at will when they need milked. Submitted photo.
“I believe that you will see dairy farms continue to diversify operations to include other agricultural ventures that complement milking and farming, such as trucking or custom harvest, and hay operations,” he said.
“Technologies such as methane digestors will allow a value-added return from cow manure and allow dairies to derive additional profits,” David said. “Dairies will utilize solar and wind to reduce peak energy costs.”
“I am always probing and putting efforts into exploring options for emerging technologies that would make our operation more efficient,” David said. “The goal of sustainability is always to do more with less. We are the only dairy left in Bourbon County and one of a few left in all of southeast Kansas. There may be interest in adding on-farm processing in the future to serve the needs of this 4-state area with a local, quality, nutritional product.”
“I believe with food shortages touted and supply disruptions experienced, we will continue to feel an increasing demand for consumers to want to source local,” he said. “We saw this ramp up significantly in the beef industry as consumers wanted to buy direct from the farmer. We see this in farmer’s markets. Other areas have supported their local operations, and we may not be far from considering, but to expand our operations to include processing, or other technologies, we have to expand our team of people that can share our vision and hopes for a better future.”
“Some of the biggest obstacles I see for dairy and maybe shared by all businesses, will be labor, inflation, which is then tied to interest and increased taxes, and supply prices and availability,” David said.
The jail is known as the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Fort Scott.
Bourbon County Jail inmates are being sent to other counties, according to the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Administrator.
“The Bourbon County Jail will be farming out most, if not all, of their inmates to other counties in southeast Kansas,” said Major Bobby Reed in an email with the daily reports sent to news entities. “The facility is doing this because of staffing shortages.”
“Approximately 56 inmates out of 65 are being housed elsewhere,” Reed noted to fortscott.biz.”The cost (to the county) is $40 per day per inmate.”
That amounts to $2,240 per day in payments to other counties, by Bourbon County.
Yesterday six inmates were transferred to another county, according to today’s Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office report.
Inmate’s families are not being notified ahead of the transfers, due to security reasons, Reed said.
Staffing is at a critical point.
“I have 16 positions when fully staffed,” he said. “I have not been fully staffed in a long time. Twelve employees is the minimum to operate the jail 24/7. That is 3 per shift. Next Tuesday I will be down to 8 employees.”
Low wages are what seems to be making the employee retention critical.
“Starting Correctional officer’s make $12.50 per hour,” Reed said. “(Bourbon County) Correctional Officers can get pay increases through the rank structure and a sargent makes $13.80 per hour. I can not retain employees because of the low pay. Then the employees that I have are getting worked all the time and are getting burnt out then they are resigning.”
People making $12.50 per hour, 40 hours a week make $500 a week. $500 times 52 weeks in a year is $26,000.
“Money wise, that is a commissioner and finance question,” Reed said.
He said the county offers standard benefits of eye, health, dental , major medical, sick time and vacation.
“I can not make people apply and I can not make people work,” Reed said.
“In my opinion the solution is to increase the pay,” he said. “But to what, I don’t know. Agencies that start out at $15/hour are having issues retaining and hiring and agencies that start out at $17 are having the same issues.”
“Jails are being short staffed through out the nation…I know it is in Kansas,” Reed said. “I think we are the first county in Kansas that has had to drastically reduce our numbers of inmates because of staffing issues.”
Teri Hulsey, 53, is the new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services Director as of May 1, 2022.
She had previously worked 11 years at Mercy Hospital until the unit became Bourbon County EMS.
Hulsey and her husband Shannon have four children and nine grandchildren.
In her spare time she volunteers at Kansas Rock Recreation Park.
The following is with an interview with fortscott.biz:
Why did you pursue your career?
“I chose this career to give back to my community and for the opportunity to be an influence to others.”
What will your duties be in this new role?
“To be a leader for the EMS department, to oversee all employees and the responsibilities of those employees, scheduling, billing, and filling the void with shift coverage when needed. Also, hiring and maintaining full rostered staff.”
How many EMS personnel are there?
“There are nine full time and 10 part time employees.”
Teri Hulsey’s office is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd,
Fort Scott, KS. 66701 and can be reached at 620.644.7951.
EMS Agreement
Dave Bruner, the former director, was a part of the Fort Scott Fire Department, and was employed by the city.
“EMS is under the county governorship, with Susan Bancroft’s oversight,” Fort Scott City Manager Kelley Zellner said. Bancroft works for both the city and county as the financial director.
On May 1, 2022, the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County governments signed an agreement that the county will work with, and compensate the city, for dispatch services and an EMS truck operated by the Fort Scott Fire Department. The city agreed to continue maintenance of the EMS vehicles and allow Bourbon County EMS to fuel their EMS vehicles at the city’s fuel pump and then turn in a bill to the county for these services.
This is part of a series helping the public get to know the new school administrators in Bourbon County.
Tema Gilion, is the new West Bourbon Elementary School Principal, Uniontown. She is replacing Vance Eden, who is the new USD 235 Superintendent.
West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown.
Gilion completed her administrative preparation program at Pittsburg State University.
She has experience in elementary, middle and high school teaching-1st and 3rd general education, 5th grade math, high school Spanish and English as a Second Language and a sub-director and teacher at a private bilingual school.
When not teaching she loves traveling, reading, gardening, and time with family.
Her hometown is Carthage, MO.
Why did you become an educator?
“I was privileged to have some amazing teachers in the Carthage school system who inspired me to become a teacher. I’ve always loved school and learning, so becoming an educator was a very natural path for me to follow.”
I enjoy seeing students learn and grow academically as well as in character. Inspiring students to be life-long learners is something for which I strive as an educator.