There are several new employees of the Tarkio R-I School District. They are:

MICHELLE HENRY

Michelle (McEnaney) Henry is the new Special Education teacher and will be the assistant jr. high volleyball and assistant jr. high girls’ basketball coach. Michelle graduated from Tarkio High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Special Education. Michelle was the elementary special education teacher at Albany School District in Albany, Missouri, for two years.

Michelle lives in Tarkio with her husband, Norbert, and their two Alaskan malamutes. Michelle enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.  Her goal for this school year is to see improvements in her students while creating a fun and engaging learning environment. “I’m excited and looking forward to this school year!” she said.

SANDI RILEY

Sandi Riley is the new Tarkio Elementary paraprofessional. She graduated from Rock Port High School and earned a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. She was the lead teacher at Atchison County Head Start for almost 11 years and was a para at Rock Port for one year.

Sandi of Fairfax, Missouri, has three boys, Jacob, Christopher, and Hayden (a freshman at Fairfax High School), and five grandchildren, Bryndlie, Zoe, Cooper, Finnley, and Carson. When not working or spending time with her family, Sandi enjoys reading. Her goal for this school year is to have a positive impact on the students and build lasting friendships with her coworkers.

MEGHAN HUGHES

Meghan (Romines) Hughes is the school nurse at Tarkio R-I, having taken over the nursing duties last school year. Meghan graduated from Tarkio High School and received her Practical Nursing License in 2013. She’s been a clinic nurse at Shenandoah Medical Center in Shenandoah, Iowa, for four years.

Meghan lives in Rock Port, Missouri, with her husband, Jeremy, and their three-year-old daughter, Layla. She enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors whenever possible. Her goals for this school year are to continue getting to know all of the students and their families and continue providing care so that the students are healthy, happy, and able to learn!

JAMIE CALDWELL

Jamie Caldwell is a new custodian at Tarkio R-I. He graduated from Chillicothe High School. He’s worked at Ag Partners at Tarkio for six years. He’s also retired from the Missouri National Guard, where he served for 22 years.

Jamie lives in Tarkio with his wife, Penny, and their chocolate lab, Franco. The couple also have children, Spencer and Josh Smith. When not spending time with his family or working, Jamie enjoys hunting, fishing, mowing, and listening to country music. His goals for this year include to be the best worker he can be and to learn all of the teachers’ names.

APRIL JOHNSON

April Johnson is a new custodian at Tarkio R-I. She graduated from West Nodaway High School. She’s worked at Nodaway-Holt School for five years as a custodian and at the Wise Motels (formerly Super 8 and Comfort Inn) in Maryville for six years as the executive housekeeper.

April is married to James Johnson and has two sons, Jakub and Rian, one daughter, Sadie, and one granddaughter, Scarlett. Her hobbies include raising coonhounds, crocheting, fishing, and camping. Her goal for this school year is to just enjoy life. She’s familiar with Tarkio R-I as her brothers, Garland and John McHugh, attended school there.

JORDAN RILEY

Jordan Riley of Tarkio is a new paraprofessional at Tarkio R-I, as well as a wrestling coach. Jordan graduated from Tarkio High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University. He’s been at Tarkio R-I for three years coaching football and wrestling.

When not working and coaching, Jordan enjoys spending time with his parents, Marla and Michael Swaby, playing softball and basketball, and boating. His goal for this year is to keep learning new things.