New teachers at Fairfax R-3 this year are Gracie Mobley and Richard Bennett. (Ashley Grossman photo)
Katarina Bennett – Tarkio Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher
Twilla Clark – Tarkio Elementary Special Education Department
Jodie Dorrel – Tarkio Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher
Crissy Drummond – Tarkio Elementary Para
Cindy Livengood – Tarkio Elementary Special Education Para
Madison Ohrt – Tarkio High School History Teacher and EA Jr. High Volleyball Coach
Taylor Pruett – Tarkio R-I Para
Luke Seiter, right, and student Julien Jimenez – Tarkio High School Para
Brianna Shaw – Tarkio Elementary Para
Students at Fairfax and Tarkio, Missouri, school districts are beginning the new school year with some new faces greeting them in the classrooms and hallways.
At Fairfax R-3, new teachers and staff members are:
Gracie Mobley is the new kindergarten teacher at Fairfax Elementary. She attended high school at Mount Ayr Schools, located in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, and went to Northwest Missouri State University, where she majored in Early Childhood Education. This is Miss Mobley’s first year of teaching. Gracie is now a Fairfax resident and is engaged to Max Hopkins. She enjoys spending time with her three dogs, playing games, and baking. Her goals for the school year are to enhance student engagement, have a positive learning environment, and have good classroom management.
Richard Bennett is the new science teacher at Fairfax R-3. This will be his first year in junior high/high school education. Richard came to Fairfax after 21 years in the United States Navy and 20 plus years spent in the nuclear power industry. He’s taught at the Naval Nuclear School and at multiple civilian nuclear power plants, training operators in nuclear theory and plant operations. He moved to this area about two years ago, but stated that he’s always considered the Midwest his home. Richard was born in Olathe, Kansas, and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School outside of Kansas City, Missouri. He’s been married to his wife, Lisa, for 29 years and they have two children, Ruth (28) who lives in Boston and Paul (21) who lives in Lincoln. Richard and Lisa live in Tarkio with their two dogs and a cat.
At Tarkio R-I, new teachers and staff members include:
Katarina Bennett is the new third grade teacher at Tarkio Elementary. She is a familiar face and not a stranger to the school, having graduated from Tarkio High School in 2012. She then went on to graduate from Peru State College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Art (minor) in Psychology. She was previously employed as a fifth and sixth grade English language arts and social studies teacher at Rock Port Elementary. Kat lives in Tarkio with her fiancé, Austin Poppa, son Jackobi Robertson (sixth grade), daughter Arianna Robertson (fourth grade), and infant son Denver Poppa. She enjoys reading, playing games, hiking/traveling, and spending time with her family. Kat commented, “Since it is my first year teaching in Tarkio, my goal is to build strong relationships and connections within the school and community. I am also taking my first year of LETRS training. With this, my goal is to help my students build foundational skills needed to help them be proficient readers in third grade and beyond!”
Twilla Clark is teaching part-time in the Elementary Special Education Department. Twilla is no stranger to Tarkio R-I, having graduated from Tarkio High School. She then went on to attend Northwest Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, and later a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from William Woods University. Twilla lives in Tarkio with her husband, Kevin, and daughter, Lauren. Twilla remarked, “Previously, I taught at Fairfax Elementary School for 29 years, teaching special education for eight years and first grade for 21 years before retiring in 2023. During the year after retirement, I was a substitute teacher. The opportunity came for me to be able to teach half time in Tarkio for the 2024-25 school year. I realized how much I missed teaching, but still wanted time to enjoy my hobbies, including playing pitch twice a month, quilting, watching movies and reality tv shows, and spending time with family. This new position is a good fit for me and I’m happy to be at Tarkio Elementary!”
Jodie Dorrel is the new second grade teacher at Tarkio Elementary. She lives in Tarkio and is married to Tyler Dorrel and they have two daughters, Saige (fifth grade) and Reagan (second grade). She enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Jodie attended and graduated from Craig High School. She will graduate next month from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Jodie worked at Tarkio Elementary as a special education paraprofessional for the last three years. Her goals for the year are to learn and grow as an educator, and provide a welcoming and engaging environment for students
Crissy Drummond is a new paraprofessional at Tarkio Elementary School. Crissy is also no stranger to the school, as she is a Tarkio High School graduate. Crissy, who is married to Nathan Drummond, has stayed busy being a stay-at-home mom in Fairfax with her children, Dalaynie, Dylan, Damon, Mikayla, and Emily. Crissy enjoys spending her free time outside. Her goal for the school year is to always have a positive attitude.
Cindy Livengood is another new para at Tarkio Elementary, working in the special education department. She also attended and graduated from Tarkio High School and received her B.A. in Business Administration from Tarkio College. Cindy previously worked as an office manager for Remodel Moore, LLC, and was a general contractor for residential homes in Kansas City, Missouri. Cindy lives in Westboro, Missouri, where she enjoys tending to her flowers, riding her bike, and sewing. She also enjoys visiting with her family, who include her daughter, Jill and her family in Mississippi. Cindy’s goals for the school year are to build a positive relationship with the students and support the staff and students that she works with.
Madison Ohrt is teaching high school history at Tarkio High School and is also the East Atchison junior high volleyball coach and the Tarkio High School seventh grade class sponsor. Madison graduated from Tarkio High School. She also graduated from Northwest Missouri State University (NWMSU) with a B.S. in Organizational Behaviors and Human Resource Management and is currently attending Central Baptist Theological Seminary, pursuing her Master of Arts degree in Counseling. She was previously employed as a DME billing associate at Rogers Pharmacy and is now an assistant manager at Dusty Trail Café and Steakhouse. She resides in Mound City, Missouri. Madison is marrying Jacob Cotton from Oregon, Missouri, in September. He works for Tubbs Farms and Vortex Alley Outfitters in Mound City. When not working, Madison enjoys reading and learning, spending time with her nephews and family. She has also been busy remodeling her house and planning a wedding. One goal she has for the school year is to build relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the community. “I also plan to gain knowledge in the teaching profession and the subject area I teach. I am excited to serve the Tarkio School District and the EA Wolves, both of which gave me a great start and invaluable lessons.”
Taylor Pruett is also a new paraprofessional at Tarkio R-I School. She earned her certificate from Northwest Missouri Vo-Tech in Maryville, Missouri. She is from Rock Port, Missouri. Her goal for the year is to make a better self schedule and become a better teacher.
Brianna Shaw is a new Tarkio Elementary School para-professional. Brianna is a Tarkio High School graduate and is currently a junior at Peru State College majoring in psychology. She was previously employed as a CNA for in-home healthcare. Brianna lives in Tarkio with her husband, Keaton Shaw, and three children, Emma and Jasper Navin and Lane Shaw. She enjoys hiking in the mountains, spending time outside, working out, and reading books. Her goals for the school year are to encourage the students to love learning and to show them kindness and positivity, as well as to be a support system for them.
