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Mike Reith Is The New UHS 7th-12th Grade Principal
Mike Reith, 54, is the recently hired Uniontown Junior/High School Principal.
His official start date is August 1, 2019.
Reith has 32 years experience teaching math. He taught four years at Indian Trail Junior High in Olathe; 28 years at McPherson High School – upper-level math such as AP Calculus, College Algebra and was math department chair at MHS for the past 15 years.
“Uniontown will be my first job as a building administrator,” Reith said.
Reith graduated from Girard High School in 1983, earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Pittsburg State University in 1987, Master of Science Degree from Wichita State University in 2003 and will complete his Building Administration Licensure Degree from Emporia State University in May 2019.
Reith is a Southeast Kansas native.
“I grew up on a farm 3.5 miles southwest of Hepler, then went to school K-12 in Girard,” he said.
Reith was a student who enjoyed school.
“All throughout my K-12 school experience, I enjoyed school and also enjoyed success academically,” Reith said.” I particularly excelled in math throughout high school, and really enjoyed the challenge as I progressed through the upper-level math courses.”
Reith had a math teacher that was a great influence on him.
“I had an outstanding math teacher, Gary Starr, who influenced me greatly,” he said. “I was also a three-sport athlete in high school and desired to coach at the high school level. Partnering those facts with a substantial scholarship offer from the Pitt State education department led me to the conclusion that I should pursue a math degree with an emphasis in secondary education.”
“During my teaching career, I have truly enjoyed working with students in the classroom and working with athletes in coaching. I have coached multiple sports throughout my career, but primarily basketball and track, and have been a part of some very special moments and teams.”
“While I still enjoy teaching and coaching, I began to notice an increasingly apparent need for strong leadership at the administrative level,” Reith said. “It was something that I considered earlier in my career, but the timing just wasn’t right for a variety of reasons.”
“But, three years ago, I made the decision that it was the right time and the right situation in my life to pursue a building administration degree. I will complete the program in May and receive my building administration license.”
“I am thrilled for this opportunity at Uniontown and am very appreciative to Superintendent Bret Howard and the USD 235 BOE for their support for and confidence in me. My wife and I are excited to be back in Southeast Kansas, as this gets us closer to several of our family members.”
When asked what the best part of education was for him, he replied:
“While there are many things that come to mind, the primary one is the opportunity to have a positive, life-changing impact on students, families, and communities. I believe every young person should have the hope of a successful future, and they deserve the opportunity to experience the necessary preparation for that to become a reality. Quality education is the lifeblood of a civilized society, and it is a high calling but a tremendous privilege to be a part of it.”
“I would add that I have experienced a great working relationship with my colleagues in the math department and on the girls’ basketball staff at McPherson High School,” Reith said. “It is extremely rewarding when you get the opportunity to work with like-minded educators who love what they do and are in the profession for the right reasons.”
Some of the challenges that Reith sees for future educators:
- “Public-school funding in Kansas always seems to be at the forefront of challenging issues that face education.
- “At the basic levels of daily instruction, educators are dealing with a growing number of issues students are dealing with,” resulting from a less-than-ideal home situation. I believe we need to take opportunities to work with families in this regard, to let them know we want to partner with them to help their student be as successful as possible. It is definitely a challenge to instruct students academically when they have significant issues that cause distractions.
- “The Redesign Initiative implemented by the KSDE is now something that all schools and districts in Kansas must begin to address. I believe it is imperative for schools within districts to work as a cohesive unit so that the focus and goals are consistent and effective as a student moves through the grades and schools in the district.
- “Social media presents challenges such as cyber-bullying, academic dishonesty, distractions, etc. Educators must be as proactive as possible to deal with this for the good of our students.
- “We must not lose sight of the reason education exists. We can get bogged down and pulled in many directions; sometimes when we try to do too much, we’re not good at anything. Addressing the issues and concerns that will truly help students be more successful academically, while at the same time helping them develop good character traits, are what we should be focused on.”
Governor Applauds Medicaid Expansion
Governor Laura Kelly applauds the passage of Medicaid expansion in the Kansas House
The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding the passage of Medicaid expansion by the Kansas House of Representatives:
“Today a bipartisan coalition in the Kansas House put politics aside and came together to pass Medicaid expansion. I’m proud of their work – and the work of so many advocates and citizens who worked tirelessly to make their voices heard on this issue.
“Medicaid expansion is one of the most critical issues impacting our state’s future. It will allow up to 150,000 more Kansans access to affordable healthcare, support local hospitals and clinics, and impact our economy for the better.
“Over 70 percent of Kansans support Medicaid expansion. I encourage the Kansas Senate to join me, this bipartisan coalition, business leaders and the overwhelming majority of Kansans in support of Medicaid expansion. The time for blocking progress has long since passed. Now is the time to expand Medicaid.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 22
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports March 21
Click below:
Governor Tours Kansas Flood Areas
Governor Kelly tours flood-affected areas with the Kansas National Guard, the Kansas Department of Emergency Management and the Kansas Water Office
Governor Laura Kelly today toured counties damaged by flooding in Kansas and Nebraska with Maj. General Lee Tafanelli from the Kansas National Guard, Deputy Director Angee Morgan from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management and Acting Director Earl Lewis from the Kansas Water Office. They flew by helicopter to Leavenworth and then up the Missouri River Basin surveying the damage and relief efforts.
Kelly signed an executive order yesterday easing motor carrier regulations to expedite emergency relief and restoration. Last week, the governor issued a state of disaster emergency declaration for several counties affected by flooding. Local, state and federal partners will continue to work together to address the needs of communities and rural areas.
Excellence by Patty LaRoche
Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Prov. 22:6)
Last week, I wrote about cheating.
No sooner had I sent my article to my editors than came the news flash that parents had jumped through some pretty expensive—not to mention, illegal—hoops to cheat their kids’ way into college. Coaches accepted bribes to add “athletes” to their rosters, “athletes” who never had played a day of the sport.
Meanwhile, teens who actually had dedicated their lives to the activity—and had much better grades– but could not afford the pay-out, were denied.
This morning, Dave, my husband, forwarded me an email he received from the Florida Marlins’ upper management. Motivational articles are sent daily to the coaches, and this one, written by Jon Gordon, compared success with excellence. His take? Stop comparing and start pursuing, advice these cheating parents and students probably wish they had heeded.
Dave has coached professional baseball for over 30 years, and more times than he can count he has counseled players who question why someone else is promoted when they are not.
I get it.
Actually, this is the week of spring training when players are told they don’t quite measure up and are released or are designated to the minor leagues. How does one not compare? Gordon calls it “a trap” and writes that it happens when we focus on someone else’s gifts, talents and purpose versus our own. He says our greatest competition is not someone else, but ourselves, advice Dave has given on multiple occasions.
Jack Nicklaus is one of Gordon’s examples. “He simply focused on playing the best he could play against the course he was playing. While others were competing against Jack, he was competing against the course and himself.”
The author then addresses Apple’s approach with the iPod, iPhone and iPad: “When they created these products they didn’t focus on the competition. Instead they focused on creating the best product they could create. As a result, rather than measuring themselves against others, they have become the measuring stick.”
Gordon ends his article with this: “We have a choice as individuals, organizations and teams. We can focus on success and spend our life looking around to see how our competition is doing or we can look straight ahead towards the vision of greatness we have for ourselves and our teams. We can look at competition as the standard or as an indicator of our progress towards our own higher standards. We can chase success or we can pursue excellence and focus 100% of our energy to become our best… and let success find us.”
The public shame accompanying the college cheating scandal has the potential to define the character of all involved. What a sad legacy! But what are we to learn from it?
Hopefully, a lesson in misplaced priorities. Hopefully, a lesson in entitlement. Hopefully, a lesson in envy. Hopefully…(the list is endless).
The all-too-common outcome of overbearing parenting would reverse if fathers and mothers used Proverbs 22:6 as their guiding principle. “Train up a child in the way he should go…” To understand that life can be tough. To be grateful for the gifts God has given him. To think of others before herself. To celebrate others’ blessings. To love God above all else.
Then again, perhaps it is the parents who need to learn these lessons first.
Governor Eases Regs To Assist Flood Relief
Governor signs Executive Order easing motor carrier regulations to assist with flood relief
To expedite emergency relief and restoration efforts associated with recent flooding in Kansas and neighboring states, Governor Laura Kelly has issued an executive order.
The order temporarily exempts commercial motor carriers and operators from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations while traveling in Kansas and directly participating in disaster operations.
“Yesterday, I signed an executive order waiving fees and easing regulation on motor carriers to assist with transporting relief to flood affected areas,” Kelly said. “I’m grateful for the work of our emergency management team and the Kansas National Guard during this critical time. It’s important communities in both states receive the aide they need immediately.”
The regulation exemptions include licensing, certification and permitting; fuel tax permits, and other rules that will allow motor carriers to more quickly bring in necessary supplies and equipment to aid in relief efforts.
Heavy rains and spring snow melts are causing moderate flood conditions along the Missouri River in several states, including Kansas, and is expected to increase to major flooding in the next few days. Doniphan, Marshall and Jefferson Counties have issued local disaster declarations and Gov. Kelly signed a state declaration for Doniphan County on March 15. Currently, potential flooding in the state would primarily affect farmland and not residential areas.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka has been activated to a 24/7 level to monitor weather conditions and support local emergency management operations. The governor will tour the area impacted by flooding today with the Kansas National Guard, the Kansas Department of Emergency Management, and the Kansas Water Office.
Gunn Park Trail Volunteers Needed For Trail Clean-up
Volunteers are needed this Saturday morning for clean up of the bike/walk trails at Fort Scott’s Gunn Park Trails.
“We need to clean flood debris from the trails,” said Frank Halsey, who spearheads the trail volunteers.
“This is a post-winter clean-up,” he said.
Community members are encouraged to help with this volunteer program to keep the trails in top shape.
“We will meet at 9 a.m. at the main gate,” Halsey said. “The clean-up won’t go past noon.”
“Even if people can come for an hour, that is helpful,” he said.
Trail clean-up volunteers are encouraged to bring rakes, gloves, and boots.
The trails are for bicyclists and walkers.
“No horses, they are hard on trails,” Halsey said.
The volunteers have built an eight-mile trail in Fort Scott’s largest park, Gunn Park.
There are seven different trailheads for trail users to enter or exit onto the trail that parallels the Marmaton River in sections.
Fort Scott Special Events March 22-25
Keep Buying Local Cars
Briggs Auto of Fort Scott General Manager Scott Teenor thanked the community for their business at the Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee on March 21.
“Keep buying cars,” Teenor said with a smile.
Teenor said the business is grown by “word of mouth and healthy criticism.”
They have hired two new technicians and three new salespeople recently, he said.
The business is located at 1819 S. Main, on Hwy. 69.
Fort Scott’s Finance Director Rhonda Dunn told the coffee attendees that Briggs Auto is the second largest generator of sales tax in the community, and sales tax revenue has increased 15 percent.
“Thanks for investing in our community,” Dunn told Teenor.
Briggs sells Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Toyota and Ford vehicles all in one location according to its website.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and on Sunday one can shop online, according to the website.
The phone number is 620-223-0900.