August 18, 2016 is the first day of school for the 2016-17 school year at Rock Port Schools. Following are introductions to three new faces you will be seeing in the elementary this year.
Steve Waigand is the 2016-17 Rock Port Elementary Principal. Mr. Waigand comes to us from the Assistant Principal position at Minnie Cline Elementary Savannah R-3 School District. Mr. Waigand received his bachelors degree in elementary and middle school education from University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, his masters degree in elementary and middle school educational leadership from Northwest Missouri State University. Mr. Waigand is married to Tabitha, which brings us to one of our new elementary teachers.
Mrs. Tabitha Waigand is teaching first grade at Rock Port Elementary. Originally from Mound City, Mo., but moved to Rock Port from Savannah. She taught 1st grade for 3 years at Minnie Cline in Savannah and prior to that, taught first grade at South Holt for 4 years. Her husband, Steve, is the new elementary principal at Rock Port, and they have been married for 5 years. They have 2 children, Kipton (3 years old) and Beau (1 year old). Mrs. Waigand graduated from NWMSU in 2007 with an undergraduate degree in elementary education with minors in early childhood education and coaching, and received her master’s in elementary administration from NWMSU in 2009. “I am so excited to be living in a small town again and I look forward to meeting everyone in the community.” said Mrs. Waigand.
The second new elementary teacher is Kaitlea Hastert. She is teaching 6th grade at Rock Port Elementary. Mrs. Hastert graduated in 2008 from RPHS. She has an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Iowa Western Community College, an Associates of Science from Nebraska Methodist College in Radiologic Science and then a Bachelors of Science in El. Ed from Peru State College. In addition to teaching 6th grade, she is the assistant high school volleyball Coach, and High School football cheerleading sponsor.
Joining the elementary this school year is Mr. Shawn Shineman, high school P.E., who has added elementary physical education to his teaching responsibilities. Mrs. Tawni Ellis, elementary counselor, will be adding keyboarding. Mr. Donnie Parsons, who taught 6th grade last year, has moved over to the Junior High and is teaching math. In the high school Mrs. Megan Bebb is now teaching English Language Arts and 7-12 Special Education. She will be splitting her day between the two.