Washburn Rural High School added 32 new faces to the staff for the 2017-18 school year. One of the new teachers, Melissa Dunn, has been in the Auburn-Washburn District prior to coming to the high school. Dunn worked for four years as a Reading Interventionist at Pauline Central Primary School. Having a degree in high school English, as well as being certified for Pre-K through 12 as a reading specialist, has allowed Dunn to work with kids of all ages. Prior to working a Pauline Central, she taught high school English. Dunn later decided to return to teaching high school students because she missed the atmosphere.

“I missed working with young adults,” Dunn said. “I missed the literature.”

Shelsey Wasserstein is also returning to Washburn Rural, but only after exploring her other options and working for a year as a forensic scientist at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Wasserstein decided to come back to teaching because she missed working with the students and her colleagues.

“The teachers at this school are an incredible group of people and I missed working with my team,” Wasserstein said.

Wasserstein recognizes potential from many students at Washburn Rural in other aspects of their lives. She is not only excited to teach, but to see the students strive outside of school as well.

“I really enjoy seeing students in their extra curricular activities,” Wasserstein said. “There are so many talented students and it is fun to see other aspects of their skills and talents outside of the classroom.”

New teacher Kevin Muff immediately stepped into a significant role after joining the staff. Along with teaching Geography and U.S. Government, Muff will be the head coach of the boys’ basketball team. Muff coached at Pittsburg State University and at the close of last season he decided it was time to move on and saw it as an opportunity to get back into a high school. Prior to being the head coach at Pittsburg State, he coached basketball at Cloud County Community College, and Wamego High School. Additionally he was an assistant at Pittsburg State and Atwood High School, and also was a student assistant at Kansas State University.

Muff had been at the postsecondary level for 12 years but taught at the high school level for eight years before that. After being away from the high school for many years, Muff noticed various changes in the curriculum and teaching styles.

“Education has changed. There is a lot more technology,” Muff said. “There are beautiful facilities and I have enjoyed getting to know the staff.”

The Foreign language Department gained a new Spanish teacher as well. Stephanie Ricketts recently moved to Topeka from Virginia. Ricketts was drawn to Washburn Rural because she heard of its good reputation. This will be her seventh year in education and she is excited to explore everything Washburn Rural has to offer. One of the aspects of the school Ricketts has taken notice to is how it allows students to get work experience within the school.

“I love the opportunities the students have to work – like the coffee shop and the bank,” Ricketts said.

Ricketts is most excited to watch her students grow and become more proficient in Spanish. She will also step in as the sophomore class sponsor. So far Ricketts is excited for this new teaching position and looks forward to see what this school year has to offer.