Special Education teacher Sara Dziadosz:

As a former Jayhawk, Sara Dziadosz joins the Shawnee Mission South faculty in the SPED department. Dziadosz came from smaller schools, Bridges and Wyandotte Academy, but has taught at Shawnee Mission Northwest as well. One thing that isn’t new to her is all the technology.

“I was used to using the MacBook Airs from my years in KCK. As teachers learn more and more about how to utilize the laptops, students will be AMAZED by how many cool things they get to do in class, as well as how EASY it will be to keep on top of assignments.”

Secretary Susan Walter:

It being her fifth year at South, Susan Walter moved from the ISS teacher to the new Counseling Center Secretary. Taking a leap down to the Counseling Center, it was a very big change for her.

“I knew exactly what I had to do all the time but now it’s just non stop go, go, go.”

Wagner has found that she enjoys to watch the dynamic between the freshman and senior classes.

Nurse Danielle Shockley:

Starting the week after school started, Danielle Shockley jumped right into the roll of being a school nurse. Previously working in the ICU and ER, it is a big change for Shockley from moving to a school nurse. To help with the big change in scenery, she has been welcomed widely by the staff and students

“The people and the students are always happy and seem excited to be here,” Shockley said.

English teacher Samantha Garbe:

Fresh out of college, Samantha Garbe, a freshman and senior English teacher, graduated from Rockhurst University. She student taught at East and with that, is familiar to the Shawnee Mission School District.

“I love my department. They have been helpful and willing. I also love my students and their willingness to learn,” Garbe said.

Art teacher Courtney Dougherty:

Having Lancer and Jayhawk in her blood, Courtney Dougherty is a new art teacher. This will be her fourteenth year of teaching and she previously taught at Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission North.

“South a really good mix between East and North. The students here are friendly and knowledgeable and its a true mix between the two schools.” Dougherty said.

Along with teaching all of her art classes Dougherty is planning on bringing the National Art Society to South starting second semester.

Math teacher Amy Read:

With Jayhawk roots Amy Read, a math teacher, has been teaching in the Kansas City and Wyandotte area for fifteen years. Read taught at Washington High, Shawnee Mission North, East and Blue Valley Southwest. The biggest change for her is the the new technology that we have put right in our hands.

“The biggest difference between the other schools I taught at and Shawnee Mission South is the technology and all the changes that come along with that,” Read said.

Special Education teacher Ashley Graham:

Jumping into her twelfth year of teaching, Ashley Graham is a Special Education teacher. Graham previously taught in elementary schools and was recently at Shawnee Mission East. As the technology reaches to all the teachers and faculty, Graham feels it has a positive aspect.

“It makes it easier for students and teachers and gives students a great accessibility. It also provides them with the curriculum in a way they want,” Graham said.

Science teacher Cathy Geisel:

It being her 23rd year of teaching, Cathy Geisel is a teacher in the science department. Geisel has taught at many different schools like Shawnee Mission North, Rockhurst, Miege and Blue Valley but Shawnee Mission South does have some differences to her.

“The school is slightly smaller and I like that and the science department has a natural area and all the new technology. The technology puts a lot more learning on the student because they can look up more of the stuff on their own,” Geisel said.

Athletic secretary Karen Wagner: 

As the papers and questions keep flying, Karen Wagner is the new athletic secretary. Along with all the paperwork she has to sort through, time management is key for her job. The transition from old to new systems in the athletic department has been tremendous. It will however make Wagners job much easier.

“It will make paperwork much better and checking eligibility will become much more accessible.” Wagner said.

You can also my run into Wagner at a football games or in the kitchen cooking. “I enjoy cooking ethnic food and also I like to attend sporting events like any KU sports or  Sporting KC,” Wagner said.