Terry Wooten, Jerri Harbin, and Lori Staten have retired from teaching with a combined total of 85 years in education. The three were recognized at the Tarkio High School awards assembly.

Written by Jersi Poppa  and Atchison County Mail

Tarkio R-I students, staff, and administrators said goodbye to three of their own at the end of last week as three educators retired. Lori Staten is retiring after 30 years in education. Jerri Harbin is retiring after 30 years and Terry Wooten is retiring after 25 years. The women were much loved by everyone and will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Harbin began her school career in 1983 as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Westboro School District in Westboro, Missouri, where she worked for eight years. In 2000, she became the assistant librarian at Tarkio R-I and worked in that capacity for 22 years. As part of assisting the students in the library, she has also helped them with Battle of the Books and the book fair each year. Jerri was always going out of her way to help anyone find exactly what they were looking for, or if they weren’t sure what they needed, she found them the perfect book. Her kind-heartedness went a long way and students and staff always enjoyed their interactions with her. Mrs. Harbin’s students will always remember her for being the one who has read every book in the library and the person who was always there to help with the printer and copier. Her coworkers will deeply miss her as she was an awesome troubleshooter and a determined problem solver. Mrs. Harbin plans to enjoy her retirement relaxing, reading and spending her time with her grandkids and family.  Jerri said, “My greatest memories are of helping students who hated reading turn into avid readers by finding them the right book. I loved the challenge of finding the right book for the right student.”

Lori Clement began her teaching career in August of 1993, teaching Title I math at Northeast Nodaway School District in Ravenwood and Parnell. Little did she know that one of the secretaries would become her mother-in-law! In the summer of 1996, she became Mrs. Mark Staten and began her teaching career at Tarkio. While in the Tarkio District, Lori taught Title I math, gifted education, third, fourth, and sixth grades, and was the middle school math teacher. Mrs. Staten is a very generous person and is always there for anyone at any time. Although Lori stayed busy enough with her classroom work, she volunteered her time to do baseball stats for many years and was a class sponsor for the classes of 2021 and 2022. Mrs. Staten always wanted Tarkio R-1 students and staff, and the district as a whole, to succeed so she would join many committees as well as the leadership team. Everyone would agree that Mrs. Staten is one of the most compassionate and happiest people you will ever meet! Her kids will always remember her for her candy drawer and her many stories. Her next endeavor will be working as the bookkeeper for Q and M Snowing and Mowing and the Tarkio Avalanche.

Ms. Wooten began her teaching career at Tarkio Academy as a special education teacher before starting her career in the Tarkio R-I School District. Ms. Wooten began her teaching career in August of 1997. Since teaching at Tarkio R-I School District, Ms. Wooten has worked as the middle school social studies teacher, taught 6th grade and special education, was the middle school science teacher, and was the at-risk teacher. She also was the high school girls’ golf coach for two years. She has served as a CTA officer for many years, served many years on the professional development committee and was on the leadership team. Ms. Wooten has a great sense of humor and if her students or friends need her, she will be there for them through thick and thin! Her students will always remember her for her story about the snake at the golf course and running the Tarkio Pool in the summer. To keep with her hard-working spirit, Ms. Wooten plans to work at the Tarkio Avalanche. Terry said, “Tarkio has been a great place to work! The work family on both sides of the street have been amazing throughout these 25 years. I have many stories that I could share from Milk Duds, to being a social security guard, to workroom conversations, but you will just have to ask me. I will never forget the special people that have come into my life, as well as many students that hold a special place in my heart. Coming from Tarkio’s rival school, I never thought that I could call it home. But Tarkio has been my home for many years and I am glad that I was able to raise my kids as Indians/Wolves. Thanks for the memories!”