Staff Information
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Turning Point
Tell Kirk
Principal and K-12 Virtual Program Email: tell.kirk@usd253.net
Amy GiffinSecretary Email: amy.giffin@usd253.net
Mindelei WuoriProgram Coordinator 9-12 f2f Program Email: mindelei.wuori@usd253.net 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.
Erin FitzpatrickProgram Coordinator 5-8 f2f Program, Science and Spanish Email: erin.fitzpatrick@usd253.net 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 Neely5-8 f2f Program - Mathematics and Chinese Email: cosandra.neely@usd253.net
Shawn Wilson5-8 f2f Program - Global Studies Email: shawn.wilson@usd253.net 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.
Shane Dreiling5-8 Language Arts Email: shane.dreiling@usd253.net 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 DavisVirtual and f2f Programs - Music and American Sign Language Email: james.davis@usd253.net 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.
Melanie CurtisK-4 f2f Program - Classroom Teacher Email: melanie.curtis@usd253.net Melanie attended Emporia State University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Instructional Design and Technology.
Rochele BatemanK-4 f2f Program - Classroom Teacher Email: rochele.bateman@usd253.net 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 12th 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. |
