|
You've got eMule!
Vol. 14 No. 17
Welcome back to The eMule! Below is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
In case you missed it, our Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center released nearly 200 butterflies on campus after witnessing the entire transformation process in class over the course of a few weeks, starting with caterpillar kits. Click here to see all the amazing butterfly action!
We also had many new and returning sponsors participate in our annual Foundation Golf Tournament, which serves as a fundraiser for innovative teacher grants outside the classroom budget and for a student scholarship for a PBHS grad entering the field of education, several of whom returned to teach in our school system. Click here to see our supporters!
Lastly, thanks to everyone who gave an affirmation to our faculty during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Click here to give your favorite teacher a shoutout as the year comes to a close!
| 2026 Teachers of the Year | |
Jeanna Tipton, Elementary Grade-Span/Poplar Bluff Early Childhood TOY
CAREER
- Early Childhood Center – Special education teacher, 2021-present
- Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center – Kindergarten teacher, 2007-21
- Oak Grove Elementary School – First grade teacher, 2005-07
- Kindergarten Center/Eugene Field Elementary School – Music teacher, 2004-05
- Kindergarten Center – Paraprofessional, 2002-04
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Reading and Literacy – Walden University, 2010
- Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with minor in Early Childhood – Central Methodist University, 2005
****
Cody Tyler, Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center TOY
CAREER
- Kindergarten Center – Kindergarten teacher, 2024-present
- Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau – Preschool paraprofessional, 2023
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s in General Studies – Southeast Missouri State University, 2013
- Undergraduate studies, Cinema/Photography major – Southern Illinois University
****
Alexa Everett, Eugene Field Elementary School TOY
CAREER
- Eugene Field – Special education teacher, 2020-present
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Educational Leadership – Southeast Missouri State University, 2022; Bachelor’s in Exceptional Child Education, 2020
****
Amanda Johnson, Lake Road Elementary School TOY
Past 2019 & 2013 Building TOY
CAREER
- Lake Road – Reading and math interventionist, 2019-present; Fourth grade teacher, 2018-19; First grade teacher, 2010-18; Special education paraprofessional, 2009-10
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction – Hannibal-LaGrange University, 2014; Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, 2010
****
Michelle Bates, Oak Grove Elementary School TOY
CAREER
- Oak Grove – Second grade teacher, 2016-present
- O’Neal Elementary School – reading intervention, 2015-16
-
Oak Grove – Second grade teacher, 2009-15; First grade teacher, 2002-09
- Poplar Bluff Junior High School and Junior Varsity Cheer Coach – 2002-07
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Teacher Leadership – Southeast Missouri State University, 2011; Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, 2001
****
Amy Ethridge, O’Neal Elementary School TOY
CAREER
- O’Neal – Third grade teacher, 2014-present
- Foundations Child Development Center – Preschool director/teacher, 2006-14
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Education – Grand Canyon University, 2023
- Bachelor’s in Education – Southeast Missouri State University, 2006
****
Christine Fisk, District/Intermediate Grade-Span/Poplar Bluff Middle School TOY
CAREER
- Middle School – Fourth grade English language arts/social studies teacher, 2016-present
-
Poplar Bluff 5th & 6th Grade Center – Computer instructor, 2015-16
- Eugene Field Elementary School – Classroom aide, 2015
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Instructional Technology – Grand Canyon University, 2023
- Bachelor’s in Elementary Education – Hannibal-LaGrange University, 2014
****
Angela Calloway, Poplar Bluff Junior High School TOY
CAREER
- Junior High – Eighth grade English language arts teacher, 2023-present
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Teaching English to speakers of other languages – Southeast Missouri State University, 2023
- Bachelor’s in Middle School Education – Southeast Missouri State University, 2017
****
Jessica Michel, Secondary Grade-Span/Poplar Bluff High School TOY
CAREER
- PBHS – English language arts teacher, 2016-present; Assistant Girls’ Swim and Dive, Track and Cross-Country coach
- Lake Road Elementary School – Second grade teacher, 2009-16
- Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center – Classroom aide, 2005-08
- Neelyville High School – Resource aide, 2004-05
EDUCATION
- Master’s in Education – Hannibal-LaGrange University, 2013; Bachelor’s in Education, 2009
****
Laura Powell, Mark Twain School TOY
Past 2021 Building TOY
CAREER
- Mark Twain – At-risk teacher, 2020-present
- East Carter School District – Missouri Options/Credit recovery teacher, 2002-16
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s in Psychology, Criminology minor – Southeast Missouri State University, 1993
****
Chris Carpenter, Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center TOY
Past 2018 Building TOY
CAREER
- TCC – Welding instructor, 2014-present
EDUCATION
- Associate in Welding – Tulsa Welding School, 2010
- Welding Certificate – New Madrid Technical Skills Center, 2009
****
Above: (Standing, from left) Angela Calloway, Michelle Bates, Amy Ethridge, Chris Carpenter, Alexa Everett and Cody Tyler; and (seated, left to right) Amanda Johnson, Jessica Michel, Christine Fiske, Jeanna Tipton and Laura Powell.
| Outgoing education leaders honored for career dedication | |
A total of 19 employees who have collectively dedicated hundreds of years to public education, with two among them achieving Poplar Bluff’s pinnacle of district-wide Teacher of the Year, were honored during the annual Retirement Reception held Thursday, April 30, at the Westwood Center.
The individuals were variously described by their colleagues as: trailblazers; true Mules; a child whisperer; ChatGPT before ChatGPT; a pillar in the department; a gentle, empathetic leader; a once-in-a-lifetime instructor; a wealth of wisdom; a steady hand; a rock; a survivor; someone to confide in; someone with classic, professional grace; a person with a contagious laugh; a larger-than-life personality; and one who loudly enjoys life.
Members of the group were further said to: refuse to let students fall through the cracks; ensure students were seen; create learning magic; possess a gift for unlocking potential; represent a bright sparkling ‘sometimes glittery’ shiny spot in the day; not only adapt to change, but drive it; and have the ability to say everything needed with just a glance across the room.
According to the tributes made by their superiors, the legacies left behind by the retirees include: wearing a costume to school for every holiday; operating a classroom petting zoo for special occasions; guiding students through the voting process during mock elections; integrating a functioning school vegetable garden into the curriculum; nursing to health or adopting multiple stray pets found outside the campus facility; and a pair of administrators who were celebrated as champions of culture and inclusion.
In the words of Eugene Field Principal Kristen Spain: “Legends are never forgotten.” Hear the reflections of some of our retirees by clicking here!
Above: (Standing, from left) Gail Rosmarin, Morgan Jay, Karen Crawley, Mindy Garrett, Tonya Miller, Candy Napier, Tina Wilkins and Sheila Henderson; (seated, left to right) Tanya Wert-Pullum, Candace Warren, Ranee Mack, Laura Beth Smith, Robin Davis and Heather Pullam. Not present were: Terry Barton, Katherine Bell, Deborah Blemke, Mandy Julius and Richard Knapp.
| |  | |
ECH Screening
The final screenings for 2026/27 enrollment at the Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center will take place on Thursday, May 14 and May 28. To schedule an appointment, call 573-785-6803. Please have child’s social security number handy. To attend, child(ren) must be between 3-4 years old on July 31.
Last Day of School
The last day of school for the year—a scheduled half-day—is Wednesday, May 20. Early dismissal times by building are listed here.
Graduation
The commencement ceremony for the PBHS Class of 2026 will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, in the Black River Coliseum.
Summer School
Summer School runs from Thursday, May 28-Thursday, June 25.
| |
On Thursday, April 30, the DAR picked up its Teacher of the Year series featuring Secondary Grade-Span TOY, Jessica Michel.
On Saturday, May 2, the DAR recognized Betty Absheer Memorial Scholarship recipient Alyssa Bilbrey.
On Sunday, May 3, the DAR reported about our National SkillsUSA qualifiers, including secondary brand design contest winner Milly Hampton.
On Monday, May 4, the DAR reported about our new sewing class being offered at PBHS; and the results of the SEMO Conference meet, including a new school record in the 200-meter dash.
On Tuesday, May 5, KWOC reported about our JROTC Academic Team qualifying for the National Championship, and our SkillsUSA Missouri contest winners.
The DAR highlighted our inaugural “Floats with goats” event at Eugene Field. Click here to view the photo album!
On Wednesday, May 6, the DAR also reported about our JROTC’s recent accomplishment, a first in the 29-year history of the PBHS program; and spotlighted Oak Grove TOY Michelle Bates.
KWOC helped promote our annual Foundation Golf Tournament.
On Thursday, May 7, the DAR reported about Beau McCormack signing a National Letter of Intent to play tennis for Southwest Baptist University.
KWOC reported about our Teachers of the Year.
On Saturday, May 9, the DAR reported about Addison Hutson of PBHS winning an essay contest through Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
On Tuesday, May 12, the DAR reported about our District TOY, Christine Fiske!
| |
