Four Fairfax and Tarkio school officials are hanging up their hats, retiring after many years of dedication to our students and communities. They have made a huge, positive impact and will be greatly missed.

 

Twilla Clark

Fairfax R-3 is saying goodbye to elementary teacher Twilla Clark, who has been teaching since 1994.

Twilla grew up in Tarkio, Missouri, attending school there and graduating from Tarkio High School in 1985. She wanted to be a teacher from an early age. “I remember playing school in the 4th grade during free time in class. I loved doing math problems on the chalk board with my friends.”

From Tarkio, Twilla headed to Northwest Missouri State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education in 1993. She started her teaching career in August 1994. She then earned her Master’s degree from William Woods University in 2008. 

Workplace longevity is a rarity nowadays, but Twilla is one of those perfect examples of it. She has spent her entire teaching career at Fairfax R-3 in Fairfax, Missouri, teaching K-6 special education for eight years, then first grade for the last 21 years. She was also a junior class sponsor at four different times and was a member of MSTA for 29 years as well as being a member of CTA for 29 years, holding every office multiple times. Twilla was also a member of Music Boosters and was a treasurer for several years. She was a member of Beta Zeta of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Twilla has many fond memories from her 30 years of teaching. She remarked, “Show and tell time was always so special! The kids loved to show and/or tell what was special to them and they just beamed! I always told parents at the beginning of the year that what was shared during this time would be kept confidential because in first grade, kids will show anything and tell everything! A few fun items that were shown in the past include a toilet seat, a prosthetic leg, an authentic bearskin rug, and a live baby mouse.”

“I know I will miss the kids, but I will also miss seeing my adult friends at school. I will miss my Uber ride to school each morning with my daughter, Lauren.” Like Twilla, Lauren is also a teacher at Fairfax R-3. She is now the third generation of teachers as Twilla’s mother, Merylan Lowrey, also taught at Fairfax and was there when Twilla started her teaching career.

Twilla’s plans for retirement for the first few weeks are taking it easy. “I have several shows to binge watch on Netflix, friends to visit, quilts to make, and basically keeping my days free to do whatever comes up.” But she also enjoys volunteering at the food bank in Tarkio and hopes to do more volunteer work in the future.

 

Dr. Jeremy Burright

Fairfax R-3 is also saying goodbye to its superintendent, Dr. Jeremy Burright.

Dr. Burright began his career in education in 1998 in Orrick, Missouri. He taught computers and computer graphics and was the tech administrator there. He also served as jr. high volleyball coach and was the assistant high school volleyball coach. He then taught art and managed the art club at the St. Joseph School District in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he also served as assistant principal and principal. From there, he began serving the Fairfax R-3 School District as Superintendent of Schools. He also headed up the summer weights program at the school. Dr. Burright also served the Kiwanis Club as president.

Dr. Burright will miss greeting students every morning, which always started his day off in a positive way. His fondest memories also include “sending kids to state volleyball, running bus routes, and feeling that the work I’ve done in Fairfax has made us better.”

His plans for retirement are “to do what I love!” he said.

 

Mark Staten

Mark Staten with Tarkio R-I is retiring after 30 years in education. Mark, also known as Mayor Staten, grew up on a farm in eastern Nodaway County and attended Northeast Nodaway Schools in Parnell and Ravenwood, Missouri. He said, “I call it God’s Country because I had an awesome childhood with my parents, sister, grandparents, and extended family.” Although he spent his growing up years doing farm chores, he knew he wanted to become a teacher when he fell in love with the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. His third grade teacher at Northeast Nodaway, Mrs. Lavona Lorance, was his inspiration.

Mark graduated high school in 1990. He went to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville and graduated in 1994 with a BS in Elementary Education and Middle School Education with a minor in social studies. In 1998, he graduated with his Masters in Elementary Administration.

Mark has quite a teaching resume. He taught at Eugene Field Elementary – Maryville R-II for five years, 4th grade for 4 years and 2nd grade for 1 year. He then entered the halls of Tarkio Elementary where he served for 11 years teaching 4th and 6th grades and served as principal. From there, he taught Fairfax students for six years at Fairfax High School, teaching 7-12th grade English and serving as the National Honor Society Adviser and drama teacher. Finishing out his career, he came back to Tarkio, this time teaching at Tarkio High School for seven years, serving as the 7-12th English teacher, National Honor Society Adviser, and Academic Team Coach. At Tarkio R-I, Mark has gathered quite a fan club of students and coworkers. He has gone above and beyond to make his students feel at east at school, giving them the best education possible, but also making them loved and appreciated. These “Staten Kids” have enjoyed school more knowing Mr. Staten had their back no matter what life threw at them.

His fan club doesn’t just encompass students. His fellow teachers love the Statens as well. One of Mr. Staten’s fondest memories was when more than 25 Eugene Field Elementary teachers attended his wedding to Lori Clement. He was named Tarkio Teacher of the Year during the 2021-2022 school year.

He also enjoyed his time with his mentor teachers Mrs. Kathy O’Riley at Maryville and Mrs. Nan Stepp at Tarkio and his 4-6th grade departmental teaching with Mrs. Stepp, Mrs. Knierim, and Ms. Clement. He enjoyed taking two Academic Teams to State Contest; taking students on seven trips to Jefferson City; and directing six plays at Fairfax High School. He even recalls with laughter the time his students brought a hospital bed to play practice.

Mr. Staten said he will miss his Staten Kids the most. “I love kids, and I love teaching.”

When not teaching or fulfilling his coaching or Tarkio mayoral duties, Mr. Staten has been a member of the Atchison County Extension Council, Prairie Hill Cemetery Board member and President, Tarkio Renewal member and President, and a member of the Tarkio Zoning Board. He also plans to continue working for Q and M Snowing and Mowing, spend time with his wife and kids, travel with his wife, and volunteer as much as possible. He said, “I love to work so I will find something to do to keep me busy.”

 

Ponya King

Ponya King, who has worked in the Tarkio R-I School Cafeteria for 13 years, is hanging up her hairnet. Ponya began as a dishwasher and doing whatever needed done around the cafeteria. When OPAA! took over the food service for the school, she started setting up the vegetable bar, doing inventory, and helping out wherever needed. She later became a cashier, taking money and keeping count of how many breakfasts and lunches were served. She also did ala carte items, kept temperatures, and served daily.

Ponya remarked, “I really enjoyed my job, the people I worked with were great and helpful. I will miss the students very much. Thanks for everything, Tarkio R-I and OPAA! It’s been great!”

Ponya said she plans on spending more time with her family in retirement, watching them take part in summer activities at fairs and camps, as well as gardening and maybe doing some traveling. She will also continue to stay busy at her part-time job.