Heardt would describe her high school self as friendly, athletic and sleepy.

“I loved high school. I participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, DECA, FCA and French club. I always knew I wanted to teach and coach, but when I graduated from PHS, I decided to major in communications and public relations. My junior year of college, I switched my major to education and never looked back. I always knew that was what I wanted to do, but teaching never sounds glamorous. It’s hard work, but I ultimately learned that to be happy, I couldn’t ignore what my heart was telling me I needed to do and what my purpose would be for the career I chose. Helping teens turn into productive young adults is one of the most fulfilling jobs anyone could have. I loved teaching and coaching, and I love the challenge of being an administrator. I never thought I would be a principal, but here I am. Nobody is more surprised than me. PHS is home. I have the best memories from my time here and wanted to be a part of building a culture similar to the one I got to experience. It has been a joy to be back home! I’ve been at PHS for nine years, and I absolutely love our Dragon students and staff. We have built a great team that cares a lot about our students and about each other. Not every school is like this. It is pretty special.”

Aaron Burns would describe his high school self as lead by example. 

“I enjoyed my high school experience! I was involved in football, track/field, encore, NHS and the spring musical (Grease) my senior year. I did not know what I wanted to do for a “career” after high school and college. I ended up going to Pittsburg State University on a scholarship in plastics engineering technology, but did not ever go into that industry. I found my enjoyment in education by working as a paraeducator for a number of years. I would still say I do not have any major “career” plans, but I very much enjoy what I do right now! I wanted to have the opportunity to serve at my alma mater, and to help provide students with a great experience in their activities, like I had. This is the start of my fourth year at PHS, and my favorite part is the people I get to serve with on a daily basis, and the opportunity to make students and visitors feel welcome.”

Francis would describe her high school self as involved, creative and friendly.

“My high school experience was fun and busy. I was mainly involved in volleyball, yearbook and NHS. When I was in high school, I planned on going to nursing school. After graduating, I quickly changed my mind and actually changed my major three times before deciding on an English degree. Someone reached out to me when this job became available. Only being a few years out of high school, I knew that I was familiar with the staff and the school dynamic. I spent a lot of time in the library as a student, so coming back as staff seemed like a good fit. This is my third year working at PHS, and my favorite part about working here is seeing the school change and grow. I have a new perspective that I didn’t as a student. I enjoy getting to know the students and helping them like my teachers did me.”

Elliot would describe his high school self as involved, social and motivated.

“I enjoyed my high school experience. I was involved in football, basketball and baseball. For clubs/activities, I was involved in NHS and Spanish Club. I participated in debate as a freshman. I also competed in various math competitions throughout my time at PHS. When I was leaving high school, my career goal was to work in an athletic administration office at the collegiate level. I wanted to work to eventually become an athletic director at a university. After taking an accounting class, I realized that I didn’t want to pursue a business degree and moved into the teaching field. I really enjoyed my time at PHS. As a student and I wanted to contribute to the continued growth of the school as a teacher and now an administrator. I grew up in this community and really enjoy living here. Being close to family was also a major factor in coming back to PHS. I have now been a PHS staff member for 13 years, and my favorite part is working with students and staff. I appreciate the relationships that I am able to build with everyone in the building. Seeing a student overcome struggles or being successful is always a great part of my day. I also really enjoy seeing my old school working to become a better place for students and one day for my own children.”

Russian would describe her high school self as nice to everyone.

“High school wasn’t my greatest accomplishment. Of course, I did my work and didn’t get into trouble. I just did what I had to do to graduate. If I wanted a car, I had to work; therefore, I wasn’t involved in any activities. For some, high school is amazing, but for me it wasn’t. Life became way better after graduation! I had considered nursing and took all of my prerequisites for PSU’s nursing program. I was in the program for two days and realized it was behaviors I was more interested in than the physical aspects of taking care of a person. I landed in the office of the director of social work at PSU, and he suggested I come the next morning for a class called Human Behavior in the Social Environment, and I was hooked. Although I worked a few social work positions through the years, my goal was to be a stay-at-home mom and was blessed enough to do that. Once all of my children were in school full time, I was offered a job as a secretary at PCMS so I could have similar hours and days as them. Our superintendent six years ago created my social work position, and I was the lucky one who filled it. When I began working as secretary for our district, I was actually at PCMS. High school secretary Nancy Close contacted me to tell me she was retiring and that I should come over here, and I didn’t hesitate to apply. Coming back full circle to my alma mater felt surreal! Working with high school students is where my passion is. Teenagers aren’t quite adults, but they’re not like little kids anymore either. It’s a very tough age. I believe because I struggled in my high school years, I want to assist others that struggle for various reasons. Not knowing who you are or where you fit in can be difficult. Then sometimes add a tumultuous home life on top of being a teenager…so hard! I have now been at PHS for six years, and my favorite part about working at PHS would be the students. I believe in our students and even those who don’t feel they have much of a future. My hope is to give them tools and know their self-worth. I want all kids to believe they’re capable and that there is zero shame in asking for help. When I see students as successful, happy adults in the community and they thank me for believing in them, that’s all the satisfaction and reward I need!”

Neil would describe his high school self as peculiar, playful and ignorant (but curious)

“I was involved in band, Scholars Bowl, theater, NHS and Spanish Club. I really enjoyed high school. I had a great group of friends. I really enjoyed most of the classes that I took. Some of the highlights were Shakespeare and AP Spanish. I was pretty directionless (I do not mean this in a negative way) in high school. I really just declared music as my major because it was something that I enjoyed. I haven’t become bored with it, so I’ll stick with the music thing for a while longer. I took a year off after undergrad to write music and bolster my composition portfolio because I wanted to pursue advanced degrees in music theory and composition. However, in that year, the PHS band job opened up. I decided to apply after some encouragement from Mrs. Laushman and Mr. Trey Wadell. My goal was to spend five years at PHS and get the program on track. Five years went by, and I just loved it so much that I decided to stick around, and it was the best/hardest decision that I’ve ever made. I have now been at PHS for 13 to 14 years and PHS not only offers tons of opportunities for its students, it also offers so much opportunity to its staff. I work at a school where I am allowed and encouraged to be creative. I have the greatest colleagues, students and administration who encourage me to not be THE best, but to be MY best. MY best is unlimited. THE best has a cap. I prefer that no cap life…no-cap.”

Cummings would describe her high school self as awkward, reserved and studious.

“I was involved in high school. I was in FCA, Spanish club, and National Honor Society. I was on the golf and track teams but was terrible! I was on the dance team. I wanted to be a physical therapist, working predominantly in sports medicine. My career is very different from what I thought it would be! I applied for a job at PHS because I wanted to stay close to my family, and the teachers I had in high school were so amazing! I felt like it was a good fit and that I would be able to grow professionally. I have now been teaching at PHS for 25 years, and I enjoy the diversity of the students. I enjoy having discussions in my classes because I learn so much about the different life experiences of my students.”

Slavens would describe his high school self as athlete, social and hardworking.

“My experience at PHS was very enjoyable and a lot of fun. I played football and ran track. I thought I wanted to be a history teacher because of an awesome history teacher I had here at PHS. I ended up being a teacher, just not a history teacher. My pride in being a Dragon is a big part of what drew me back here. I wanted to teach here because I had a great experience as a student and athlete here and wanted to give back to the school I went to. I’ve now been teaching at PHS for two years, and getting to walk into the building I graduated from every day and teach with some of my former teachers who are still in the building is my favorite part.”

Shattuck-Wilcox would describe her high school self as shy, hardworking and busy.

“Activities I was involved in were debate, forensics and NFL. I went to state my junior and senior years in debate and forensics, missing out on nationals due to not having the funding to be able to go. Also, I was in band and jazz band. We took some great trips to Washington, D.C., and St. Louis for band competitions, as well as spending a lot of time doing things in the community and for the community. I wanted to be a history teacher pretty much my entire high school career, or work with anything to do with building or dealing with cars. I ended up being a bank officer for 20 years and decided it was time to go back to school. I went back to school right before the pandemic and changed careers to education. Both of my daughters are Dragons—one graduated last year (2024), and the other is at George Nettels Elementary and is a third grader. Funny thing is, I get asked the question, “Why did I come back to the high school I went to?” Walking the hallways always brings me back to a simpler time, and it makes you realize what you had and the opportunities that were given back in high school. Almost every teacher in this building has been amazing to work with, and the teamwork that I have seen has definitely created a draw for why I wanted to be here. After being an ESOL para for four years, this is my second year teaching. There are some great students in this building, and the kids that I get to work with on a daily basis are amazing. I enjoy each and every one of them. My favorite part, though, is watching a student come in as a freshman and seeing them cross the finish line and graduate. That is something that is amazing and a great part of being a special education teacher.”

White would describe her high school self as introverted, hardworking and good student. 

“I was in pep club, an editor of The Booster, active in drama club, the International Thespian Society, and the National Honor Society. This was at a time when we did bake sales for fundraisers, so I baked a lot of cookies! Initially, I wanted to be a journalist, but I was also interested in history. I worked as a reporter through college. I was the editor of The Collegio, the newspaper at PSU, and worked as a reporter at The Morning Sun. I don’t write for publications, but I do still write quite a bit. My family is here, and my parents were having health problems, so I moved home to help them. Then, I took courses at PSU so I could get my teaching license. Teaching at PHS allowed me to stay close to my parents. I just started my 21st year at PHS, and I really do like the students here. Being a student today is more challenging than 40 years ago. Expectations for students keep moving, so it is difficult to know what is acceptable or not. I too wanted to move far away from here, so I understand the desire to go somewhere else to pursue dreams. I hope I help encourage some students to do just that and believe in their dreams.”

Uttley would describe her high school self as talkative, involved and motivated.

“I really enjoyed high school! I did theater, speech and debate, and lots of clubs and activities. Honestly, I gave more thought to just attending college after high school and wasn’t worried about choosing a major or a career. Originally, I declared biology and was interested in forest management, and then changed to English education and technical writing. My husband and I made Pittsburg our home, so PHS was a natural fit. Plus, I had such fond memories of high school. It was exciting to imagine creating those same experiences for my students. I have been teaching at PHS for about 17 years, and I have made lifelong friends with some of my students. Knowing I helped them navigate through their teen years in some way is very satisfying.”

Lomshek would describe her high school self as cheerful, enthusiastic and bookworm.

“I enjoyed high school. Loved all of the possible activities. That was a long time ago. My sports were track and tennis. There was not a girls’ softball team, or I would have played on it. I played with a local traveling team. I was in NHS, chess club for a time, and philosophy club. By the time I was high school age, I was pretty sure I wanted to teach. I thought I would go into biology or art, but I did not imagine that teaching math would be a part of my career! That was an influence of my father. My mom is the artist! I think I landed where I needed to be. My first teaching job was in Eureka Springs, Ark., as a middle school math and social studies teacher. We moved back to Pittsburg after we had our oldest son. I was very excited when a math opening came up for the 2007-08 school year, as I had gone back to PSU for a master’s degree. The timing was perfect! I was so excited when I was offered the job. I would say the first few years were a little weird, and my brain sometimes felt like I was a student walking in the halls and not a teacher. This is my 18th year at PHS, and I am inspired every day by the student work and the teachers around me.”

Ison would describe her high school self as friendly, hardworking and fun-loving.

“My high school experience was great. I was on the dance team, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, and held class officer positions. When I was in high school, I wanted to be either an attorney or an English teacher. The first degree I earned wasn’t either of those. I went back to school later in life to earn my English education degree. I initially taught at Pittsburg Community Middle School, and I had a lot of great students. When the English position at PHS was open, I knew I wanted to apply because I wanted to be a Dragon again. I had heard about the administration, faculty, staff, and all the great things going on in the district, and I wanted to be a part of it. This is now my first year teaching at PHS, and I love how all faculty, staff, and administration work very hard to do what is best for our students. I also love all the PURPLE!”

Nunn would describe his high school self as big, strong and quiet.

“Overall, my high school experience was good. I played football and was an offensive lineman and defensive lineman. I also threw shot put and discus in track. I was a member of SkillsUSA, and I am still a member today. In high school, I wanted to be a professional drag race driver and work as part of the pit crew on the car I would own and drive. I ended up going to PSU and studied automotive technology and diesel/heavy equipment technology. I completed my bachelor of science in automotive technology with an emphasis in diesel and heavy equipment. In 2012, I completed my master of science in career and technical education. I worked as an automobile technician while in college, and I have been teaching for 23 years. I also have the required certification to teach driver’s education, which I teach in the summer for Northeast Arma. I have four kids, two of whom are adopted and two biological children. My oldest son is 19, and we adopted him from Guatemala. He came home when he was 6 months old. My biological son is 18, and my youngest son is 15. He is African American, and we adopted him domestically. My daughter is biological, and she is the youngest at 12 years old. The biggest reason I came to PHS was because it was so much closer to home than Nevada, Missouri, where I had taught for nine years. I also thought it would be awesome to have the opportunity to take over the program that I graduated from high school in. I have now been at PHS for 14 years, and I would have to say that my favorite part about teaching at PHS is the great amount of cultural diversity among the student body. I enjoy getting to know my students each year.”

Susnik would describe his high school self as dork, fun and creative.

“My high school years were mostly positive. I was active in track and cross country. I wanted to be a filmmaker. I enjoy being creative, and teaching does allow for this outlet in many ways. I worked at an advertising agency for a couple of years, and I didn’t enjoy it. I wanted a career that felt more fulfilling. I chose teaching and was lucky Pittsburg had an opening and I got the position. At that point in my life, I was happy to be back in my hometown, close to family and friends. I have now been at PHS for 12 years, and I love seeing my students every day, learning about what’s happening in their lives and hopefully teaching them something while making them laugh along the way.”

Vaughn would describe his high school self as intelligent, foolish and polite.

“Looking back, I think I had a typical high school experience. I was a student who though they knew everything and actually knew nothing. Academically, I was a good student, but I was naive to what was going on around me. I was involved in football, National Honor Society, track and field and a couple more clubs and organizations. I went to college with a strong passion for mathematics and wanted to pursue a career as an actuary. How does that compare to my life today? I am still in a career that aligns with my strong passion for math, but now have the opportunity to pass that passion along through education. I moved to Pittsburg my sophomore year of high school after having gone to over half a dozen different school districts growing up. When I showed up one day over the summer, I was embraced almost immediately. The friendships and memories I made while in this building were amazing, and I couldn’t get away. I wanted to teach in the district because I am a Dragon, but I wanted to be at the high school because of my other passion, coaching football. This is my third year at PHS, and one of the most enjoyable aspects of working at PHS are the coworkers that I get to work with every day. It feels good to work with individuals who genuinely care about the students, and work hard everyday with a growth mindset.”

Ross would describe her high school self as friend, charismatic and driven. 

“I stayed busy working multiple jobs, making time for friends, reading and doing a lot of homework. I worked at In the Garden spring through the summer and then at Via Christi Village as an activity and dining aide. I did not play any sports, but I was active in my art and science courses. I was an active member of Spanish Club and Kansas HOSA. For three years I earned the opportunity to compete at HOSA nationals, though I never placed. I was a local and state HOSA officer for two years (junior and senior years). When I wasn’t working or doing homework, my free time was spent at football, basketball and baseball games cheering on the Dragons, as well as running around with friends. I’ve wanted to teach since I was a little girl. I’ll admit, one of my favorite play times was forcing my younger siblings to sit through fake English and math lessons and grade their “homework.” My dad wanted me to become a physical therapist, which is where I started out at in college, and quickly decided teaching was my real passion. I’ve always wanted to come back and teach here. To be a part of the community I grew up in is extremely fulfilling. When I watch seniors walk across the stage in May, it reminds me that education can be a powerful thing. Your time as a high school student has a major impact on your future you. I’m lucky to get to be a part of that. This is now my fifth year at PHS and I love getting to be a part of something bigger than myself. USD 250 encourages teachers to be adventurous and fosters the passion for education. No idea is too big or too small. The admin provide the opportunity for teachers to be creative within their profession while still holding high standards for teaching as a profession.”