In recent years, a nationwide teacher shortage has increased difficulty in finding qualified teachers in rural areas. The need has left many districts in a difficult situation and, in many cases, required existing staff to be stretched thin. Noting the concern, the district has invested heavily in our recruiting and staff retention efforts. It has taken time and effort to make some shifts in our process, but I am pleased with the progress that has been made and the results we are having. I want to share some of the teaching staff we have hired and have in place for the start of the 23-24 school year!
Amanda Dye will be teaching middle school special education. She is joining our staff from Savannah Middle School in Savannah, Missouri, where she has been teaching special education. She is familiar with Shenandoah through extended family and other staff members. It will be great to have her on our team.
Noah Bielby has accepted a middle school science and family consumer science position. He is joining us from St. Joseph, Missouri, where he taught middle school science. Noah was referred to the district by staff at Shenandoah Medical Center. We most certainly appreciate the referral; it helped the district meet a need in two critical curriculum areas.
Clare Conley is joining our staff from Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines. She currently teaches agriculture. She has accepted the 8th-grade science and agriculture position at the Middle School. She is an Iowa State graduate who student taught in Southwest Iowa, so we are glad to see her return to the area.
Stacy Lihs has accepted the 8th-grade language arts position. She has been teaching in Stanton, Iowa, and is from the Clarinda area. We are looking forward to having her on our staff.
Jordan Nuttall will be joining our staff to teach High School Chemistry. He is currently a middle school science teacher who has studied and speaks Spanish. Jordan and his family will be relocating to Shenandoah from the great State of Idaho. However, they have some family connections in the Des Moines area, so we are delighted to see them identify Shenandoah as the right place to bring their family.
Kerra Ratliff is a long-term member of our staff who has been an associate, home liaison, and coach for the district. We are pleased she will serve as a teacher in our Special Education department next year. She is in the process of completing her studies at Morningside in their Strategist II MAT program. We are very pleased that she has advanced to this position.
Patty Roberts has been a long-term district employee as a bilingual associate and cheerleading sponsor. She is in the process of completing her degree and is currently student teaching in Shenandoah. She has accepted an elementary teaching position for next school year. It is quite rewarding to see a member of our existing staff advance themselves through continuing education.
Hunter Thomas will be graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan this spring and is from Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. He will be teaching health and physical education at the high school. We are excited to have him join our staff this next school year.
I am very excited to have these professionals join our team and become part of the Shenandoah Community School District. Please join me in welcoming and inviting them to be part of the district and the broader community.
