Staff Information

Names, addresses, and email for Turning Point staff

Turning Point 315 S Market Emporia, KS 66801 Tell Kirk *Principal and K-12 Virtual Program* Email: tell.kirk@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 Amy Giffin Secretary Email: amy.giffin@usd253.net Mindelei Wuori *Program Coordinator 9-12 f2f Program* Email: mindelei.wuori@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 Mindelei has had the pleasure of educating students of all age levels in Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas in addition to working as a Performing Arts Teacher for North Panola High School in Northern Mississippi. She has also spent time working with students who require accommodations at the university level by assisting with test proctoring, test reading, and verbally recording textbooks for Disability Services at Northern Michigan University. Mindelei has also spent time working one-on-one and in small groups with a variety of middle school-aged Native American students as a Title VI Tutor at Marquette Area Public Schools in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Prior to returning to Northern Michigan University to earn her certification in Secondary Education (English/history), she assisted in opening the former House of Blues Hotel in Chicago in addition to working as an Immigration Consultant for Emigra, Inc. Mindelei feels fortunate to have lived all across the country, yet looks forward to planting roots in Emporia as a member of the family at Turning Point. Erin Fitzpatrick *Program Coordinator 5-8 f2f Program, Science and Spanish* Email: erin.fitzpatrick@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 Erin has been teaching Science and Spanish at Turning Point Learning Center since the start of the 2009/2010 school year. She graduated from Northern Michigan University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with emphasis in Science and Language Arts. Erin also taught in New Zealand, which has given her a broad view of the educational setting. Erin's passions include inquiry, nature, conservation, reading, and integrating 21st century learning into her laboratory and living classrooms. The physical, earth and space sciences take the front seat this year. We will start off the year with a lot of exploration into the metric system and lab safety, so that students are familiar with the language that scientists use in the field. Other topics covered include meteorology, geology, chemistry, astronomy, and the history of scientific thought and discoveries. Students will be creating a lot of hands-on projects again this year, so the motto continues...If you don't have it on you, you don't have it in you! CoSandra Neely *5-8 f2f Program - Mathematics and Chinese* Email: cosandra.neely@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 CoSandra has been an educator for nearly ten years. She has her Bachelors of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in Middle School Mathematics. While at ESU, CoSandra worked as a tutor in the Math Department and the Trio programs, Upward Bound and Project Challenge. She has also worked educational instructor for Kansas KIDS@GearUp. She has extensive experience working with students of all ages. She has taught and tutored mathematics at Flint Hills Technical College since January, 2008. Since the Summer of 2005 she as taught ACT Prep and Math Courses, pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry for Trio's Upward Bound Program. She has also studied abroad in Bejing, China during the summer of 2005. CoSandra was born in Jackson, Tennessee and moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1988 with her most recent move to Emporia, Kansas in January 2004. As hobbies, she enjoys writing poetry and singing. Shawn Wilson *5-8 f2f Program - Global Studies* Email: shawn.wilson@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Shawn has been teaching the social sciences for five years. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2004 with a degree in Social Studies Education with an emphasis in World History. While at OU, Shawn served as a social studies tutor for athletes in the Oklahoma Athletics Department. After graduation, Shawn taught 9th and 11th grade social studies at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City. After marrying his wife, Brooke, Shawn moved back to her hometown of Americus, Kansas. He then taught 11th and 12th grade social studies at Northern Allen Heights High School in Allen for two years. Since then, Shawn has also expanded into the online realm, serving as a part-time social studies instructor for Aventa Learning for the past year. Shawn and his wife Brooke have a three year old son, Liam. They also have two large dogs, a black lab named Murphy and a German Shepherd named Rusty. Shawn's interests include traveling (having had the privilege of visiting Europe twice), being a news junkie, following politics, watching history shows, rooting for the Texas Rangers & the Sooner Athletics in baseball, cheering on the Dallas Mavericks in basketball, and enjoying TV nights at home with his wife. Shawn is looking forward to his first year as part of the Turning Point educational community. Shane Dreiling 5-8 Language Arts Email: shane.dreiling@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 Shane is from Wichita, Kansas, He has been teaching Language Arts for 6 years. Shane graduated from Wichita State in 1994 with a degree in English Language and Literature and earned his Master's Degree in Sports Administration in 2000. Prior to teaching Language Arts, Shane coached at various high schools and colleges around Kansas and taught Leadership Ethics and Kinesiology at Friends University. Shane has authored eight books and two DVD's on basketball topics and routinely speaks on coaching clinics throughout the country. Shane's wife Melanie lives in Wichita with their three dogs and two cats. Shane is a fan of North Carolina and thinks Mr. Wilson's support of the Oklahoma Sooners is wasteful. James Davis *Virtual and f2f Programs - Music and American Sign Language* Email: james.davis@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 James attended Kansas State University and Emporia State University, graduating in 2001 from ESU with a Bachelors in Music Education degree. Since then he has taught guitar, general music, and band in Dodge City and Emporia school districts. Most recently, he was the 5th grade general music teacher at Lowther South Intermediate School. In addition to his expertise as an educator, James remains active as a performer in the Kansas music community. He performs with and serves on the board of the Emporia Municipal Band and serves as the personnel director as well. He has also performed with the Lawrence City Band, various EHS music ensembles, ESU summer theatre, Emporia Community Theatre, and is a founding member of Swivelhoist and FDAE. He enjoys a long-standing collaboration with the ESU Music Department through performances, lectures, and activities such as the ESU Future Teacher Academy. Biking has become a new passion for James! He has just completed his fourth straight summer of Biking Across Kansas from Colorado to Missouri. He is involved in the local bicycling community through the Multi Use Path Planning board and has even started a biking club at Emporia Middle School. Melanie Curtis *K-4 f2f Program - Classroom Teacher* Email: melanie.curtis@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 Melanie attended Emporia State University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Instructional Design and Technology. Since 2001, Melanie has been an elementary teacher working in both rural and urban districts. She has been actively involved with schools serving on SITE Council, Student Improvement Team, NCA Math Committee, and Technology Cadre. Working with pre-service teachers has also been a passion for Melanie, collaborating with teacher education students from Washburn University, Benedictine College, and Fort Hays State University. Melanie moved back to Emporia with her husband, Tyler, and their two daughters Allison (4) and Caroline (1) in 2010 and looks forward to working with her Turning Point family. Rochele Bateman K-4 f2f Program - Classroom Teacher Email: rochele.bateman@usd253.net Phone: (620) 341-2455 Rochele earned a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in May of 2010. By taking advantage of every opportunity, she accumulated over 10 years of related teaching experience before her first year of teaching. Some of her experience includes: substitute teaching for USD #253, Youth Director & Community Outreach Coordinator at Flint Hills Lanes, after school arts teacher through the Emporia Arts Council, Americus and Reading Girl Scout troop leader, activities co-director at 12^th Ave Baptist, day camp camp counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado, and assistant programming director at a residential camp in Pennsylvania.It has been her lifelong goal to obtain a position that would allow her to focus on the growth of all students, while creating lifelong learners in a positive and differentiated environment. Rochele was born in Long Island, New York but moved to Olathe, KS at the age of 9. Rochele was married over Thanksgiving break in 2010. Rochele and Daniel have two long hair Chihuahua's named Daisy and Beans. Her hobbies include: traveling, camping, kayaking, and graphic design. Rochele feels fortunate that her first year of teaching is at Turning Point.

Turning Point
315 S Market
Emporia, KS 66801

Tell Kirk

Principal and K-12 Virtual Program

Email: tell.kirk@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

Amy Giffin

Secretary

Email: amy.giffin@usd253.net

Mindelei Wuori

Program Coordinator 9-12 f2f Program

Email: mindelei.wuori@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

Mindelei has had the pleasure of educating students of all age levels in Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas in addition to working as a Performing Arts Teacher for North Panola High School in Northern Mississippi. She has also spent time working with students who require accommodations at the university level by assisting with test proctoring, test reading, and verbally recording textbooks for Disability Services at Northern Michigan University. Mindelei has also spent time working one-on-one and in small groups with a variety of middle school-aged Native American students as a Title VI Tutor at Marquette Area Public Schools in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Prior to returning to Northern Michigan University to earn her certification in Secondary Education (English/history), she assisted in opening the former House of Blues Hotel in Chicago in addition to working as an Immigration Consultant for Emigra, Inc. Mindelei feels fortunate to have lived all across the country, yet looks forward to planting roots in Emporia as a member of the family at Turning Point.

Erin Fitzpatrick

Program Coordinator 5-8 f2f Program, Science and Spanish

Email: erin.fitzpatrick@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

Erin has been teaching Science and Spanish at Turning Point Learning Center since the start of the 2009/2010 school year. She graduated from Northern Michigan University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with emphasis in Science and Language Arts. Erin also taught in New Zealand, which has given her a broad view of the educational setting. Erin's passions include inquiry, nature, conservation, reading, and integrating 21st century learning into her laboratory and living classrooms.

The physical, earth and space sciences take the front seat this year. We will start off the year with a lot of exploration into the metric system and lab safety, so that students are familiar with the language that scientists use in the field. Other topics covered include meteorology, geology, chemistry, astronomy, and the history of scientific thought and discoveries. Students will be creating a lot of hands-on projects again this year, so the motto continues...If you don't have it on you, you don't have it in you!

CoSandra Neely

5-8 f2f Program - Mathematics and Chinese

Email: cosandra.neely@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

CoSandra has been an educator for nearly ten years. She has her Bachelors of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in Middle School Mathematics. While at ESU, CoSandra worked as a tutor in the Math Department and the Trio programs, Upward Bound and Project Challenge. She has also worked educational instructor for Kansas KIDS@GearUp. She has extensive experience working with students of all ages.

She has taught and tutored mathematics at Flint Hills Technical College since January, 2008. Since the Summer of 2005 she as taught ACT Prep and Math Courses, pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry for Trio's Upward Bound Program. She has also studied abroad in Bejing, China during the summer of 2005.

CoSandra was born in Jackson, Tennessee and moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1988 with her most recent move to Emporia, Kansas in January 2004. As hobbies, she enjoys writing poetry and singing.

Shawn Wilson

5-8 f2f Program - Global Studies

Email: shawn.wilson@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Shawn has been teaching the social sciences for five years. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2004 with a degree in Social Studies Education with an emphasis in World History. While at OU, Shawn served as a social studies tutor for athletes in the Oklahoma Athletics Department. After graduation, Shawn taught 9th and 11th grade social studies at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City. After marrying his wife, Brooke, Shawn moved back to her hometown of Americus, Kansas. He then taught 11th and 12th grade social studies at Northern Allen Heights High School in Allen for two years. Since then, Shawn has also expanded into the online realm, serving as a part-time social studies instructor for Aventa Learning for the past year.

Shawn and his wife Brooke have a three year old son, Liam. They also have two large dogs, a black lab named Murphy and a German Shepherd named Rusty. Shawn's interests include traveling (having had the privilege of visiting Europe twice), being a news junkie, following politics, watching history shows, rooting for the Texas Rangers & the Sooner Athletics in baseball, cheering on the Dallas Mavericks in basketball, and enjoying TV nights at home with his wife.

Shawn is looking forward to his first year as part of the Turning Point educational community.

Shane Dreiling

5-8 Language Arts

Email: shane.dreiling@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

Shane is from Wichita, Kansas, He has been teaching Language Arts for 6 years. Shane graduated from Wichita State in 1994 with a degree in English Language and Literature and earned his Master's Degree in Sports Administration in 2000. Prior to teaching Language Arts, Shane coached at various high schools and colleges around Kansas and taught Leadership Ethics and Kinesiology at Friends University. Shane has authored eight books and two DVD's on basketball topics and routinely speaks on coaching clinics throughout the country. Shane's wife Melanie lives in Wichita with their three dogs and two cats. Shane is a fan of North Carolina and thinks Mr. Wilson's support of the Oklahoma Sooners is wasteful.

James Davis

Virtual and f2f Programs - Music and American Sign Language

Email: james.davis@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

James attended Kansas State University and Emporia State University, graduating in 2001 from ESU with a Bachelors in Music Education degree. Since then he has taught guitar, general music, and band in Dodge City and Emporia school districts. Most recently, he was the 5th grade general music teacher at Lowther South Intermediate School.

In addition to his expertise as an educator, James remains active as a performer in the Kansas music community. He performs with and serves on the board of the Emporia Municipal Band and serves as the personnel director as well. He has also performed with the Lawrence City Band, various EHS music ensembles, ESU summer theatre, Emporia Community Theatre, and is a founding member of Swivelhoist and FDAE. He enjoys a long-standing collaboration with the ESU Music Department through performances, lectures, and activities such as the ESU Future Teacher Academy.

Biking has become a new passion for James! He has just completed his fourth straight summer of Biking Across Kansas from Colorado to Missouri. He is involved in the local bicycling community through the Multi Use Path Planning board and has even started a biking club at Emporia Middle School.

Melanie Curtis

K-4 f2f Program - Classroom Teacher

Email: melanie.curtis@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

Melanie attended Emporia State University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Instructional Design and Technology.

Since 2001, Melanie has been an elementary teacher working in both rural and urban districts. She has been actively involved with schools serving on SITE Council, Student Improvement Team, NCA Math Committee, and Technology Cadre. Working with pre-service teachers has also been a passion for Melanie, collaborating with teacher education students from Washburn University, Benedictine College, and Fort Hays State University.

Melanie moved back to Emporia with her husband, Tyler, and their two daughters Allison (4) and Caroline (1) in 2010 and looks forward to working with her Turning Point family.

Rochele Bateman

K-4 f2f Program - Classroom Teacher

Email: rochele.bateman@usd253.net
Phone: (620) 341-2455

Rochele earned a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in May of 2010. By taking advantage of every opportunity, she accumulated over 10 years of related teaching experience before her first year of teaching. Some of her experience includes: substitute teaching for USD #253, Youth Director & Community Outreach Coordinator at Flint Hills Lanes, after school arts teacher through the Emporia Arts Council, Americus and Reading Girl Scout troop leader, activities co-director at 12^th Ave Baptist, day camp camp counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado, and assistant programming director at a residential camp in Pennsylvania.It has been her lifelong goal to obtain a position that would allow her to focus on the growth of all students, while creating lifelong learners in a positive and differentiated environment.

Rochele was born in Long Island, New York but moved to Olathe, KS at the age of 9. Rochele was married over Thanksgiving break in 2010. Rochele and Daniel have two long hair Chihuahua's named Daisy and Beans. Her hobbies include: traveling, camping, kayaking, and graphic design.

Rochele feels fortunate that her first year of teaching is at Turning Point.

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