Horace Mann Happenings
New Teacher Announcements
Message from the Principal
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the new year.
Principal - Laura King LMKING@nwmissouri.edu
Secretary - LaTessa Ruehter LATESSA@nwmissouri.edu
Art Education
Hello! My name is Lori Atkins and I will be the new art teacher at Horace Mann. I was raised and still live near Rosendale, Missouri. I received a B.S. Ed. in Art Education from Missouri Western State University and an M.S. Ed. in Instructional Technology from Northwest Missouri State University. I recently retired from Buchanan County R-IV where I taught K-12 art for 23 years. In addition to art, I have taught classes in web design and desktop publishing at the high school level.
My husband and I have two sons who are married and live nearby. They have blessed us with 3 grandchildren; Nicholas, who is 12, Emily, who is 9, and our newest, Finley, 7 weeks. In my spare time we love to spend time with family, camping in our RV, and attending sporting events. I love to draw, read, and crochet. I also bake and decorate cakes for family and friends.
I am very excited to be here at Horace Mann and look forward to meeting all the students and their families!
1st/2nd Grade Multi-age Classroom
I write to you with warm greetings. My name is Bryan O’Neal and I am the new first/second-grade teacher at Horace Mann Laboratory School. I have spent the last six years studying at Northwest, where I studied for my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education as well as Masters of Science in Education Leadership K-12 and Special Education Administration. I have been fortunate to teach overseas in Finland and study the Reggio Emilia approach in Italy.
My goals in life are to always be a lifelong learner, to be a reflective practitioner, and inspire student’s to strive for greatness. I am committed to teaching through experiences while helping students to realize their full potential and become the best they can be.
Please do not hesitate to say hello or ask any questions you might have.
3rd/4th Grade Multiage Classroom
Hi, my name is Melanie Buford. I'm the new associate teacher for 3rd-4th grade and America Reads Tutoring coordinator. I was in education for 25 years before retiring. I've taught Kindergarten, 2nd-3rd combination, 4th grade and 6th. I have my B.S. in Elementary Education.
I have been married for 33 years and have two grown sons. In addition to teaching, I have a fair trade business that provides education and jobs to women living in developing countries. I love traveling, spending time with my family and of course reading. :)
I look forward to meeting you and spending the year with your child. If there is ever anything I can do to help please don't hesitate to ask.
Horace Mann Back to School Picnic
LaTessa will be available for the following items:
• Gather missing information such as immunizations, address and/or phone updates
• Distribute parking permits- Each family receives one or two parking permits. These permits allow parking in select parking lots when attending Leet Center and Horace Mann activities and events. To receive the parking permits, we will need car make and model and license plate number.
• Distribute Bearcat passes-Every Horace Mann student receives a Bearcat pass that allows them to enter, free of charge, sporting events and Encore productions. The Encore series was added to the Bearcat pass last year to provide performance experiences that celebrate the arts. The Encore schedule will be released in September.