There are a lot of new faces in Emporia Public Schools, and not just in the classroom.
USD 253 Emporia has several new administrators this year aside from Superintendent Dr David McGeehee, who took over for the now-retired Allison Anderson-Harder last month.
On KVOE’s monthly Emporia Showcase program Tuesday, the district introduced five administrators who are either new to their roles or to the district as a whole — serving as an unofficial Jump Start as new students were in classes for their official Jump Start activities. Director of Student Services Dr Stephanie McNemar comes to Emporia after 12 years in northwest Kansas as a principal and director of teaching and learning. She says her role in Emporia brings her back to her roots as a special education teacher — which is why she took the job.
Dr Paula Hough, Director of Teaching and Learning, is returning to public education after two years at a nonprofit. She says she has always had a soft spot for Emporia, with two of her sisters going to Emporia State — and the atmosphere of collaboration is something she missed while away from education.
Sheryl Leeds is the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Student Services. She went through Emporia schools from kindergarten through high school, attended Emporia State and spent most of her teaching career in Emporia schools. She says the sense of family has kept her in the district for most of her life.
Dr Erica Mickelson is shifting roles and is now the Director of Human Resources after serving the last two years as director of teaching and learning — but also after time in districts like Auburn-Washburn Rural and Olathe, as well as time at a parochial school.
Josh Swartz, the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, says the district’s positivity is what attracted him to USD 253.
McGeehee says it’s obviously an exciting time for the district and teachers, staff and administrators are ready to go.
The full audio from Tuesday’s program is in the KVOE.com Audio Vault.
Separately, there is a lot of construction across town as classes begin this week.
The USD 253 Transportation Department says drivers will get “as close to the stop as safely possible” if there is a construction project near student bus stops. Parents are encouraged to remind students to be safe, including looking around for traffic but also including possibly having to walk to the bus stop.
The district says it will keep students informed if this is a long-term adjustment.
After half-days for Jump Start on Tuesday and the first official day of classes Wednesday, the first full day of classes districtwide is Thursday.
