High School Principal
I graduated from Miami High School in Miami, OK. in 1985. Next, I graduated from Fort Scott Community College in 1994. I attended Pittsburgh State University and graduated in 2005 with my BS in education and also in 2009 with an MS in building leadership. I graduated from Arkansas State University-Jonesboro in 2019 with my Ed.S. (Specialist Degree).
Associates of Science degree
Bachelor’s degree in Science Education (Biology Major)
Master’s degree in Building Leadership
Specialist’s degree in District Leadership
PLC trained
School of Innovation trained
ALE trained
RISE trained
RISE Trainer of Trainers Certified
I began my teaching career at Crest Schools in Colony, KS. I also taught at Pleasanton and Osawatomie Schools in KS as well. I taught students in grades 6-12 at those schools and taught Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Physics as well. I coached football for three years too. I started my administrative career in 2010 in a small community in Western, KS. before moving to Decatur in 2014. I am now the principal here in Decatur in the midst of my ninth year at DHS.
I started my teaching career in 2005. Before my teaching career began, I ran grocery stores and meat departments for a large chain of stores. In 1998, I did buy and own my own grocery store and locker plant (beef and hog processing facility) for a few years before returning to large chain grocery stores. These experiences outside of education are what allow me to have the biggest positive impact on today’s students. I can relate the world outside of education to their world and help teach them about opportunities that exist after high school. That is my goal.
I have three beautiful children, all of which are grown. My oldest son, Colby, is a principal and my son Wil is a chemist. My daughter, MacKenzy, is a social worker. Colby has a beautiful daughter named Estella Jane and she is my first grandchild. She is the light of all of my life.
I am in my ninth year at Decatur Public Schools. When I am not at school advocating for our students, I enjoy spending time loving on my granddaughter, playing racquetball, cutting wood, and making ink pens and items of the sort out of deer antler. I am an avid hunter, fisherman, private pilot, certified scuba diver, and at one time I used to skydive quite a bit. I even tried bull riding once and broke my arm on my first ride. I am a daredevil at heart.