USD 408 welcomes new teachers years ago
Six new teachers have begun their assignments at Marion-Florence USD #408 with two newcomers at Marion County Special Education Cooperative.
LeAnn Blaesi
A Weskan native, Blaesi earned a degree in fifth through 12th grade social science and English (language arts) from Emporia State University.
Previously she taught the seventh and eighth grades for two years.
At USD 408, she will teach seventh and eighth grade language arts at Marion Middle School, and is the coach of the Marion High School volleyball team.
"I am very excited and ready to have a great year!" Blaesi said.
Blaesi resides in Marion.
Crystal Gray
Beginning her first year of teaching, Gray received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Emporia State University and is working on a master of science in school counseling.
From Great Bend, Gray will teach second grade at Marion Elementary School.
Her expectation for the coming year is to learn with her students.
"I want to learn, have fun, and enjoy the little surprises kids will give me that I can't plan," Gray said. "I'm sure I'll learn some things from my students."
Gray resides in Marion.
Tina Hague
A Marion County native, Hague also begins her first year of teaching. She is a Tabor College graduate with a bachelor of arts degree.
Hague teaches first grade at MES.
She and husband Dan have two children — Jared, 10, and Emily, 7.
"I want to make learning exciting for my class," Hague said. "I want them to love coming to school."
Hague and her family make their home in Marion.
Lisa Johnson
Former Burns resident and Peabody High School graduate, Johnson has taught English the past 10 years to middle school and high school students.
She received a bachelor of science degree from Kansas State University, and has taught the past eight years in Arkansas.
Johnson teaches 10th and 11th grade communications at Marion High School, and is the National Honor Society sponsor.
She and husband Mark, a computer engineer, have four children — Kaylee, a freshman at the University of Central Arkansas; Brooke, a freshman at MHS; Colten, a seventh grader at MMS; and Jarrett, a second grader at MES.
"I have high expectations for the students of MHS," Johnson said. "We will explore the 'inner' writer that resides within each of us."
The Johnsons returned to Kansas to live closer to family and friends and make Marion their home.
Luke King
A Marion High School graduate of 1995, King has returned to Marion to teach a new class, construction technology, at Marion High School. He also teaches science at MMS, and is the MMS head football coach.
An Emporia State University graduate with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and an emphasis in science, King taught seventh and eighth grade science for six years at Colorado Springs, Colo.
He and wife Mattie (Christiansen), another MHS alum, have two children — Skylar, 3, and Griffin, six months.
King and his family returned to Marion to be near family.
One goal is to prepare the seventh graders for state science assessment testing in the spring.
"I also want to get the new construction program up and running," King said, and wants to continue the winning tradition of MMS football.
Sarah Overton
Beginning her teaching career at USD #408, Overton is from Buhler, and earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Emporia State University.
She is a third grade teacher at MES.
Overton and fiancé David Jones will marry Saturday.
"Third grade is the big year for multiplication, cursive writing, etc.," Overton said. "I'm excited to watch the kids grow and apply all that we have planned this school year in their lives, not just in the classroom. It will be a learning experience."
Overton resides in Strong City.
Shayna Murphy
Murphy is a Marysville native and earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology with elementary special education endorsement from Kansas State University.
She teaches fourth grade interrelated (special education) at MES. This is her first year of teaching.
Murphy is engaged and planning to wed March 3, 2007.
"My goals are to get to know my students and help them to achieve their own goals," she said.
Murphy lives in Wichita.
Casson Schmidt
Originally from Goessel, Schmidt begins his first year of teaching with Marion County Special Education Cooperative.
A Bethel College graduate, Schmidt will teach seventh grade interrelated (special education) at MMS. He also is an assistant coach of the MMS girls' basketball team.
"I want to build positive relationships with my students and help them achieve their full potentials," Schmidt said. "I look forward to getting out into the community, and meeting parents and families of my students. If you have time, please stop and say 'hello'."
Schmidt resides in Marion.
