Editor’s note: This is part two of two of Clarke’s new teaching staff.
Wilson
Tara Wilson is the new elementary behavior special education teacher for grades three through five. She lives in Chariton.
Wilson earned her bachelor’s degree at Northwest Missouri State University, and her masters of special education from Morningside University. This will be her eighth year in special education.
Wilson said she chose to go into education because she had always wanted to be a teacher, and help those who need it most. She finds Clarke to have a supportive staff and community, and is glad to be a part of it.
Wilson is “proud and grateful to be part of #onetribe!”
Smith
Lonnie Smith of Osceola has taken over the Clarke Elementary Technology position this year.
Originally from Red Oak, Smith graduated from Western Governor’s University in May, and is currently pursuing his master’s in education in sports management from the University of Texas.
Prior to education, Smith spent 25 years in retail management. He has been a coach at Clarke for five years, and a substitute teacher for one. Smith said he loves coaching and working with kids, so the change to a career in education was an obvious one for him.
In continuing on at Clarke, Smith said that he loves the school and the students.
“This is where I began my coaching and education journey, and I want to continue to better the lives of students in our community,” said Smith.
Readout
Christy Readout is a new Clarke middle school’s special education teacher.
Readout was born and raised in Osceola, and moved back to the area with her family a few years ago. She attended Iowa State University where she majored in elementary education with an endorsement in special education. Readout graduated in 2012, and taught for three years before staying at home with her kids for seven.
Readout said she decided to go into education because both of her parents were teachers, as well as a sister, aunt, sister-in-law and several friends; teaching was all she knew.
“Clarke runs deep in our blood, and I’m excited to teach where my kids attend,” said Readout.
Johnson
Clarke graduate Colleena Johnson is returning to Osceola as Clarke’s sixth grade math teacher.
Johnson retired two years ago after 25 years of teaching everything from kindergarten to college in Missouri. This year will be her 26th year in education.
Originally, Johnson went into education as she enjoyed teaching and helping students find their way. When she moved back to her family farm, it seemed right to her to come teach at Clarke.
Johnson is excited for the coming school year.
Pavas
Clarke’s new high school science teacher is Sklow Pavas.
Pavas hails from Medellín, Colombia, and currently lives in Chariton. He received his bachelor’s degree this year from the University of Antioquia.
On deciding to become an educator, Pavas said since a child he has enjoyed teaching, and often his classmates would come to him for help; that continued into his college career.
As part of Pavas’ final dissertation, he met with the principal of Brody High School in Des Moines, who invited Pavas to do an exchange program. Pavas spent last fall in Des Moines, and felt that working in a smaller community such as Clarke would be of a benefit to him, and to students whose first language is not English. Pavas feels that he can help those students with different classes where translations may be more difficult.
“I’m very excited to start this year with Clarke…I hope to have a positive impact on Clarke kids,” said Pavas.
Reed
Sherryll Reed is a new Clarke kindergarten teacher. The Osceola Sentinel-Tribune was unable to reach Ms. Reed at publication time.
Loecke
Abigail Loecke is the new high school social studies teacher. The Osceola Sentinel-Tribune was unable to reach Ms. Loecke at publication time.