Jacob Erdman is the new Rock Port 7th-9th grade math teacher, assistant football coach, head high school and junior high school wrestling coach and assistant track coach. Jacob attended Rock Port High School and Northwest Missouri State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Jacob taught at Craig School, grades 7-12 math, and Polo High School, social studies and strength and conditioning/P.E. Jacob lives in Rock Port and enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, golfing and hunting.
His goal for the school year is to make each student’s day better than the previous day.

Shelby Garst is the new second grade teacher at Rock Port Elementary. She graduated from Savannah High School in Savannah, Missouri, and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia with a major in Elementary Education. She is currently enrolled at Northwest Missouri State University and scheduled to complete her Master’s degree in Elementary Mathematics by Fall 2019.
Shelby worked at Minnie Cline Elementary in Savannah as a third grade teacher, and also worked at Little Jays’ Preschool in Rock Port as a paraprofessional.
Shelby recently married Trey Garst. They will be celebrating their one year anniversary on September 16. They live in Watson, Missouri, with their spunky border collie named Ella! She loves to spend her free time traveling, reading, antiquing, and during the summer, taking trips to the lake as well as tractor pulling with her family.
Shelby said, “I can’t wait to spend this year learning and growing with my students. I’m so excited to get to know them, as well as their families! I am thrilled to be teaching second grade at such a fantastic school and can’t wait to see all the great things that we will accomplish this year!”

Rachel Stanton is the new fourth grade teacher at Rock Port R-II. Rachel graduated from Tarkio High School. She attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Language Arts. She also earned her Masters in Reading from Northwest.
Rachel taught 5th grade for three years at Lindbergh Elementary in the St. Joseph School District. She also taught 3rd grade for three years at Mound City Elementary. Rachel lives in Rock Port with her husband, Jay, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Community Hospital-Fairfax, two sons, Cass, 2 years old, and Collin, who turned 1 in August, and a charcoal lab, Meric. Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, being outside, and reading.
Rachel said, “We are so happy to live in this supportive community where Jay grew up. We also love being so close to my family in Tarkio. I am so excited to build great relationships with my students and their families and I can’t wait to learn from the staff and the administration and get to know the Rock Port traditions. I am looking forward to a great year in an outstanding school district!”