Five new teachers welcomed students when school started Wednesday, August 17, at Fairfax R-3 School.

Shelby Hurst is the new kindergarten teacher at Fairfax R-3 School. Shelby graduated from Fairfax and received her bachelors degree from Northwest Missouri State University. She taught fifth grade at Fairfax two years, and has taken the last two years off to be home. She is married and has two daughters, a three year old and one year old. Shelby said, “I love Fairfax and I’m excited to be back to teaching, this time in kindergarten.”

Jared Dowis is the new Physical Education teacher and assistant Athletic Director at Fairfax R-3 School.
Jared graduated from Jefferson High School in 2006. He was a part of many winning teams there, including men’s fast pitch softball (two undefeated state title teams), and basketball (first and second in state).
He attended Northwest Missouri State University and graduated in 2012 with a degree in Corporate Recreation and a minor in Coaching. He then went to work for the Division of Youth Services in St. Joseph, Missouri, at Riverbend Treatment Center. He started on his Master’s in Recreation Management in 2014, finished classes last spring and is currently working on his thesis.
Jared said, “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to mold the young minds of the terrific students at Fairfax. It is a week into the school year and so far the students have amazed me with their eagerness to learn and do what is asked of them.”

Hannah Wilson will be teaching English Education for grades 7 – 12 at Fairfax R-3 School. She will also be coaching the Junior High and High School East Atchison Cheerleaders. Hannah graduated in May from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Hannah currently lives in Auburn, Nebraska, where she graduated from high school. Hannah said, “I am very excited for this year and what is to come.”

Patty Bredensteiner will be teaching Art and will be the librarian at Fairfax R-3 School. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, graduated from Park Hill High School and received a teaching degree in Art Education from Northwest Missouri State University.
Patty first taught in Lathrop, Missouri, and Tarkio, Missouri, and has taught K-12 art in Farragut, Iowa, the past 32 years.
She has been very active in the Wabash Art Camp in Shenandoah, Iowa. The murals around Shenandoah were made by her students in the camp.
Patty’s husband Tim has been active in farming since he graduated from NWMSU in 1980. They have two children. Cassidy lives in Newport, Kentucky and is expecting their first baby. Colby lives in Kansas City and is on the graphic design team at JE Dunn. Patty said, “I am always up for a challenge and that is learning to run the library and make it the best experience for the students. I do feel that reading is very important today and our students need to take the time to open a book and enjoy the story.”

Jaymee Koop will be teaching Title 1 Reading and Math at Fairfax this year. Jayme lives in Fairfax with her husband Ryan, and sons Riley, 5, who is in kindergarten, and Zachary, 3, who is in preschool, both at Fairfax as well.
She was born and raised in Fairfax and attended Fairfax School all 13 years. Jayme graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2012 with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She also has certification in Early Childhood Special Education. Jayme was the Early Childhood and Elementary Special Education Teacher for the Nodaway-Holt School District for the past four years.
Jayme said, “I am excited to be working back in my home town at the same school as my children.”