As the new school year begins, students in the Benton County area will be greeted by several new teachers for the 2024-25 school year.
New teachers for the Warsaw R-IX School District include:
Andy Bradshaw, John Boise Middle School English teacher. Bradshaw comes to the Warsaw District from Denver, Colorado and will begin his sixteenth year in education. His hobbies include basketball, working out, and cheering on the Denver Nuggets. He also enjoys fishing, kayaking and spending time with his two cats, Jackson and Esthie.
“I am excited to begin teaching in Warsaw. I am also thankful to live in such a beautiful town and join its close-knit community that has already made me feel welcome,” said Bradshaw. “I look forward to bringing my experience, passion and enthusiasm for education to the new chapter of my career and life in Missouri!”
Sarah Carr will be teaching elementary and middle school music. Carr is originally from Gladstone, Missouri, and attended the University of Central Missouri. She served in the United States Navy until an injury ended her service. She spent her summers visiting Warsaw as a child and decided to make it her permanent home after her service in the Navy. She is a proud mom to a six-year-old son who will be starting first grade in the district this year.
“I have a passion for music and kids, so I am very excited to watch these kids grow as we move through this new change together,” said Carr.
Trish Cunnea will be a fourth-grade teacher at Warsaw North when the school year begins. Cunnea has taught for fifteen year including time in both Michigan and Colorado. She is a mother to two grown sons, including one that lives in Michigan and one that is serving in the United Sates Army.
“I am excited to join the Wildcat Family this school year,” said Cunnea. “When I interviewed with Ms. Ward, I could feel that North Elementary was going to be the perfect place for me. Stepping into a fourth-grade classroom will provide me with the chance to get back to my elementary roots and allow me to grow as an educator.”
Filling the position of Warsaw North School physical education teacher will be Jack Dulle. In addition to his duties at North, Dulle will be working as an assistant high school football coach and assistant high school boys basketball coach. Dulle recently graduated from the University of Central Missouri and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. During his four years in college, he coached football and basketball at Crest Ridge High School.
“I am extremely excited to be at Warsaw because this is a new opportunity for me. An opportunity to make a lasting impact on my students and athletes in the Warsaw school district,” said Dulle. “I have heard from a lot of people that Warsaw is a special place and I am very eager to learn more about the community and be a part of something special.”
Returning to the Warsaw R-IX District is WHS history teacher, Brooklyn Heatherington. Heatherington graduated from WHS and has served as a paraprofessional for the last four years. Heatherington is a proud mother of her son (Thatcher) and daughter (Sawyer), who both attend elementary school within the district. In addition to her teaching duties, Heatherington is also the Varsity Cheerleader coach.
“I am excited to teach freshmen American History this year and share my love for all things history,” said Heatherington. “I have been told that I am full of random knowledge and I’m excited to share that with my students.”
Madison Lane is another WHS graduate who is coming back as a teacher. Lane found her passion for teaching while working as a paraprofessional at North Elementary. This year Lane will be teaching first grade at North.
“I am proud to be a Wildcat and cannot wait to create fun and lasting memories with my students,” said Lane.
Kathy Long will be a special education teacher at JBMS this year. Long has lived in the Warsaw area for over 26 years. Together, she and her husband have six children, including one fifth grader and one senior who attend school within the district.
“I am excited to create relationships with the students teach them to become productive people,” said Long.
Lauren Sons will be working at Warsaw South as the counselor. Sons obtained her bachelor’s degree in special education from Missouri State University and is currently working to complete her master’s degree in social work and counseling with an emphasis in school-based services.
“I love that Warsaw is a smaller school district than my previous schools,” said Sons. “I think the more connected the community is to the school the more successful students are. This is my first year as a school counselor and I am so excited to be back in a school building.”
Lainy Williams will be working as a physical education teacher at JBMS. Williams graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a degree in elementary education and educational administration. Williams also ran cross country and track while in school.
“I have grown up visiting the Warsaw area often so I am excited to being working in the area,” said Williams.
Catherine Wyse will be teaching special education at WHS this fall. Wyse graduated from Orrick High School as class salutatorian and graduated from Missouri Western State University with a Bachelor of Science in special education (K-12). She is the proud mother of a five-month-old little boy. They recently moved to the Warsaw area to be closer to family.
“I chose special education because of a family member who was on the spectrum and I have just always had a special connection with him,” said Wyse. “I am excited for this opportunity and getting to know and serve this community.”
Lincoln R-2 School District will also be welcoming several new staff members.
New staff include: Kendra Ward, nurse; Alexis Hyde, first grade; Camryn Lynde, third grade; Amber Cooper, paraprofessional; Kasandra Doner, paraprofessional; Michelle Kenig, fifth grade; Jeremy Owen, elementary physical education; Kadey Sartain, third grade; Kimberly Schmidt, elementary counselor; Matthew Spunaugle, high school social studies; Chelsie West, paraprofessional; Shelby Williams, fifth grade.
Cole Camp R-1 is also welcoming several new staff members for the 2024-25 school year.
Casondra Burnam will be teaching second grade; Shelby Harris, third grade; Zoey Taylor fourth grade. Steve Hubbard will be teaching fifth and sixth grade social studies. Jacob Rogers will be teaching high school English and Shannon Tylar will be teaching high school social studies. Jennifer Bloss has been added as a Vo-Ag instructor while Kara Begshaw will be working as a paraprofessional. Cheryl Callahan will be working as a kindergarten aide; Amanda Montemayor, bus driver and Ami Schlesselman, student services/AD Administrative Assistant. Josie Bahrenburg will be working as the CCHS Administrative Assistant and Trampus Jackson will be the school resource officer.
