KVOE’s monthly Showcase program featured principals and assistant principals from Emporia’s public schools on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in honor of National Principals Month, an annual celebration that recognizes the important work K-12 principals do in schools across the country every day.
Superintendent of schools David McGehee was joined by Walnut Elementary School’s principal Tonya Forbis, Emporia Middle School’s assistant principal Morgan Martin, William Allen White Elementary School’s principal Tell Kirk and Emporia High School’s assistant principal and athletic director Beau Welch.
Originally from Ottawa, Kansas, Forbis moved to Emporia to attend Emporia State University, where she got the chance to student teach at Walnut Elementary. Soon after, she was given the opportunity to teach kindergarten and third grade at the elementary school and said she’s been with Emporia Public Schools since.
After her time in the classroom, Forbis said she was moved to pursue a career in administration to better connect with students and parents in the community while mentoring teachers in the district.
Coming off the success of the middle school’s walk-a-thon, Martin said energy is high at EMS.
An ESU graduate raised in Dodge City, Kansas, Martin said she grew up knowing she wanted to pursue a career in education early on.
After teaching at the high school level, Martin transitioned to teach eighth-grade math before becoming an instructional coach. Like Forbis, Martin said mentorship was a big reason she pursued her career in administration.
Hailing from a long line of educators, Welch said following in his family members’ footsteps felt fated.
After playing basketball at Ottawa University and transferring to ESU, Welch said he started coaching the high school girls’ team and got a job in the district afterward as the boys’ basketball coach. His journey into administration, Welch said, felt like the perfect next step in his career, especially considering his two kids who are currently students in the district.
Like Welch, Kirk said he felt his pursuit of a career in education was a no-brainer when he considered his father Kim Kirk’s career in education
After graduating from ESU, Kirk spent some time in Kansas City before settling down with his family back here in Emporia to teach middle school. Following in his father’s footsteps, Kirk said he was moved to pursue his career in administration after seeing the impact his father had in the community.
Principal Appreciation Month will continue through the end of October with Principal Appreciation Day slotted for Thursday, Oct. 23.
