East Prairie R-IISchools

2024 DISTRICT NEWS



 2022-2023 Lady Eagles Softball Team was presented their championship banner during the game January 9.

2023 DISTRICT NEWS

Congrats to EPHS Ag Teacher Rylyn Small!!!
Rylyn Small, agricultural educator at East Prairie High School in Missouri, is one of six agricultural educators nationwide who received the 2023 National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Early Career Teacher award, presented during the 2023 NAAE Convention, November 28 through December 2, in Phoenix. The NAAE Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award is presented to a NAAE member in their third to eighth year of teaching who have exemplified great teaching methods in the classroom and have been dedicated to their career through personal and professional growth. The NAAE Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award program is partially sponsored by John Deere.


Congrats to the 7th grade boys for their Scott-Miss Conference Championship win tonight over Scott City! They also are the Scott-Miss Regular season champs! Congrats to all the players and coaches! Go Eagles!

Teacher Spotlight November 14, 2023

DeeDee Douglas has been with the district for 24 years. She is currently the district psych examiner, testing coordinator, and Parents as Teachers educator. DeeDee is a 1991 EPHS graduate and has a Specialist Degree in Counseling. She previously taught English at the high school. DeeDee has been married to Mark for 29 years, and they have 4 kids and a Maltese. She enjoys going to the lake and being out on the water.

Amy Elfrink teaches 7th-8th grade girls PE and Health. She has been with the district for ten years. Amy is a SEMO graduate and has a Masters Degree in Educational Technology. She is also the head Middle School track coach. Amy is married to Jake, who also teaches in the district, and they have two dogs. She enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors.

Bo Bryant teaches Algebra I and Geometry at EPHS. She has been with the district for 23 years. Bo is a 1991 graduate of EPHS. She attended Arkansas State and SEMO and has a Master’s degree. Bo is best known for being the Student Council sponsor. She is married to Jason, and they have three kids, one granddaughter, and a beagle. In her free time, Bo enjoys attending St Louis Blues hockey games. She was originally an Accounting major, but switched to Education after watching her oldest son learn new things. Her advice to a new teacher is to, “build relationships with your students and teaching will be much easier”

Teacher Spotlight 11/7/2023

Kelle Goodding teaches 10th grade ELA and Speech & Drama at EPHS. She has been teaching for 25 years, and previously taught Elementary Music. Kelle is a member of the EPHS Class of 1989 and a graduate of Murray State University. She also coaches JH & HS Volleyball. Kelle has three adult children and a rescue cat named Tallulah. Her favorite part of teaching is, “the real connections that I make with my students. When they realize I am tough, but fair, and that it comes from a place of caring for them as people”.

Emily Sipp teaches 5th grade Math at EPMS. She has been teaching for 20 years, and previously taught 3rd grade at Martin Elementary and at Lee Hunter Elementary in Sikeston. Emily is a 2000 graduate of Dexter High School and a graduate of SEMO. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. Emily is married to Jonathan, who also teaches in the district, and they have five kids. Emily’s favorite part of teaching is, “making lessons come alive and watching the ‘light bulb’ come on as kids finally understand a skill”. Her advice to a new teacher would be to always remember your “why”

Sarah Dorris is a Reading Intervention specialist at EPES. She has been with the district for 12 years. Sarah graduated from Hannibal LaGrange University, and enjoys traveling, sleeping, and researching random stuff. She is married to Stanley and they have five kids – Stephanie, Joey, Clayton, Kohlton, and Preston. They also have a German Shepherd named Sport. Sarah’s advice to a new teacher is to, “Start early! Start with a community college and be very wise with degree choice”.

Teacher Spotlight October 24, 2023

Leslie Allgier has taught preschool at EPES for 28 years. She is a 1991 graduate of EPHS and has a Masters Degree in Elementary Administration. Leslie is married to John, and they have two daughters – Laurann and Layne. Leslie also organizes the annual Doyle Blood Drive and the St. Jude Trike-a-Thon. Of her career in education, Leslie says, “I knew when I was five that I wanted to be a teacher. When I had Miss Fields as a first grade teacher, I knew that I
wanted to be just like her one day.”

Ian Householder teaches 9th grade ELA and 11th-12th grade Adventure Literature at EPHS. He is a 2012 graduate of Kelly High School and a graduate of Drury University. Ian has been with the district for four years. He also coaches junior high baseball. He has been married to Lenzi since 2021 and they have an 18 month old son, Bingham, as well as a dog and two cats. In his free time, Ian enjoys reading and watching baseball. His favorite part of teaching is, “navigating through the atmosphere of each class throughout the day. Every hour, every group of students brings its own personalities and quirks. I love learning what each student and each group needs in order to prosper and become better versions of themselves.”

Justin Helderman teaches 7th grade social studies & Applying Numbers. He has been with the district for 11 years, and also teaches math at Three Rivers Community College. He is a 2007 graduate of Delta High School and a graduate of SEMO. Justin has a Masters Degree in Activity and Athletic Administration. He is married to Brittney, who also teaches in the district, and they have two daughters. Justin enjoys hanging out with his family, watching sports, and helping Brittney with "The Glamper Gals". His advice to a new teacher is to be flexible, but establish boundaries.

Teacher Spotlight October 17, 2023

Felicia Sanders teaches 6th grade Social Studies at EPMS. She has been teaching for 29 years. Felicia graduated from EPHS in 1990 and has a Masters Degree in Elementary Administration. She also serves as the CTA Secretary. Felicia has a daughter, who also teaches in the district, and two dogs.  Her favorite part of teaching is, “Building long lasting relationships with my students. I absolutely love to run into former students and hear them tell me about when I taught them in class!”

Gabrielle Wicker teaches 11th-12th grade English at EPHS. This is her 3rd year at EP R-2, having previously taught in Sikeston. Gabrielle graduated from EPHS in 2017 and from SEMO in 2020. She is certified to teach both English Language Arts and Social Studies, and is currently working on a Masters Degree of Library & Information Sciences from Mizzou. Gabrielle co-sponsors FTA. She has three cats, and enjoys reading and playing video games. Her advice to a new teacher would be to find a school that suits you.

Regina Mickel teaches Title One Reading at EPES. This is her 18th year teaching. Regina graduated from EPHS in 1983 and has a Masters Degree in School Administration. She also serves as a line judge for volleyball. Regina is married to Mike, and they have two daughters and an Australian terrier named Bandit. Her favorite part of teaching is when she sees the light bulb come on for her students.

Teacher Spotlight October 10, 2023

Nick Collins teaches Science at EPHS. This is his 9th year teaching, and he previously taught at Sikeston and Alton, MO. Nick graduated from West Plains HS in 2007, and has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. He has 2 cats, and enjoys playing the guitar, reading a good science fiction book, being outdoors, camping, hiking, and metal detecting. Nick’s favorite part of teaching is “making science a fun and enjoyable subject for my students. Doing labs with students is one of the best things I get to do, and I enjoy how they spark a passion for science in my students.”


Brittany Shoemaker has been teaching 5th grade Special Education at EPMS for 10 years. She is a 2010 graduate of Sikeston High School and holds a Specialist degree in Educational Administration. Brittany enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Of teaching, Brittany says, “Teaching special education is so rewarding! There's not much better than helping a student reach their potential. I feel great knowing my students have learned something new because I was able to teach them in a way that made sense for them.”

Kristen Walton teaches 2nd grade at EPES. She has been teaching for 20 years and has been with the district for 10 years. Kristen graduated from EPHS in 2000 and has a Specialist degree from Mizzou in School Psychology. She became a teacher because she loves being around kids. Her favorite part of teaching is, “Watching kids grow and become the best version of themselves. I love to watch them gain confidence and independence. I love to see them realize that they can do hard things.”

Teacher Spotlight October 3, 2023

Decinda Howell teaches 7th grade English Language Arts. This is her 8th year with the district. She graduated from EPHS in 2009 and has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. Decinda is also the MS Student Council sponsor. She is married to Shane, and they have one son, Tarek, and two dogs. Decinda says of teaching, “It's challenging, overwhelming, and tiresome, but completely worth it!”

Andrea LaPlant teaches 7-12 grade Family & Consumer Sciences. She has been with the district for 26 years, and previously taught preschool and fifth grade. She is a member of the EPHS Class of 1992 and has a Masters Degree in Elementary Administration from SEMO. Andrea also sponsors FCCLA, and is certified in both Early Childhood Education and FACS. She is married to Charles and they have three daughters, one of whom also teaches in the district. In her free time, Andrea enjoys the beach, her swimming pool, canning, soap making, jelly making, furniture flipping, baking, and making quilts and salsa.

Stephanie Taylor has taught preschool for six years. She graduated from EPHS in 1997, and is married, with two sons, a dog, and a cat. Stephanie enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with family & friends. Of teaching, Stephanie says, “I love that as a Preschool teacher I get to help students experience school for the first time. I also love to watch as all my students, past and present, grow into amazing kids and students doing great things.”

Teacher Spotlight September 26, 2023

Kali McGruder teaches 6th grade math. This is her sixth year at EP R-2. She graduated from EPHS in 2015 and got her Master’s Degree in Elementary Math Speciality in 2021. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Spencer. Kali’s favorite part of teaching is, “building relationships with students and being able to be a cheerleader in all aspects of their life. I love to humanize teachers and relate to them at their level. Even a positive relationship with just one kid is enough for me”.


Macie Tanksley teaches fourth grade at EPES. She has been with the district for two years. Macie is a 2017 graduate of EPHS and a graduate of Central Methodist University. She also serves as the assistant HS & MS volleyball coach. Macie was inspired to be a teacher by two of the best teachers she knows – her mom, Stacey Tanksley, and Shaelynn Nordwald. Her favorite part of teaching is helping students believe in themselves, setting goals, and watching them achieve them.

Gary Scott teaches 9-12 grade PE, Body Conditioning, and Driver’s Education. Gary graduated from EPHS in the Class of 1991 and has a Specialist Degree. He is married to Jamie, who also works in the district, and they have 3 children. Gary enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and fishing. His favorite part of teaching is seeing the kids develop into the best version of themselves.

Teacher Spotlight September 18, 2023

Cati Aters teaches fifth grade at EPMS. She has been with the district for ten years. Cati is a 2010 graduate of EPHS and a graduate of SEMO. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Cati is married, with a two-year old son and a Beagle. Her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with the students and watching them grow each year.

Hannah Baldwin is the librarian at EPES. She has 15 years of teaching experience, and has been with East Prairie R-2 for five years. Hannah was previously a high school English teacher. She graduated from Dexter High School in 2003 and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Library & Information Sciences. She is married, with 4 kids and 2 dogs. Hannah’s favorite part of teaching is getting the opportunity to help kids develop a love of reading and helping them find their favorite stories.

Carrie Massey teaches 9th grade American History and 11th grade Government at EPHS. She has been with the district for 22 years.
Carrie has a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. She graduated from Oran High School in 1993, is married, and has a 19 year old son and a dog named Jack. Carrie also co-sponsors the student organization Future Teachers of America. Her advice to new teachers is to, “Keep a journal from day 1. You will never remember all of the interesting things that have happened or been told!”

SEMO Fair Champion

Congratulations Hayleigh James for winning Grand Champion Market Lamb at the SEMO District Fair!!! You have put in the hours on this lamb and it showed today.

Teacher Spotlight September 12, 2023

Nate Owens teaches American History and Alternative Education at EPHS. He is a 2017 EP alumni and this is his first year teaching. Nate is also an assistant high school football coach and assistant junior high baseball coach. He has two basset hounds named Jett and Daisy, and enjoys golfing in his free time. He became interested in teaching through his coaching activities, saying “I found out that I love working with young adults and helping them grow into better people as they grow into adulthood”

Jake Elfrink teaches 8th grade American History and has been at EPMS for nine years. He is a graduate of Jackson High School and Southeast Missouri State University. In addition to his teaching duties, Jake also coaches MS track & field, and enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time. He says of his career choice, “I wanted a career that had purpose. Teaching is both challenging and rewarding. At the end of the day, you know you did something that was meaningful”.

Kerri Benyoussef teaches music at EPES. She previously taught computers, and has been with the district for 15 years. Kerri previously worked as an LPN and is a licensed massage therapist. She graduated from EPHS in 1996, and is married with four children, two dogs, and two cats. Of teaching elementary students, Kerri said “I love to see the positive changes in my students. It is amazing how much they can learn in one year and being able to follow along in their educational journey is the best”.

Teacher Spotlight September 5, 2023

Stacey Tanksley teaches K-2 special education at EPES. She has been with the district for 21 years and holds a Masters’ Degree in Educational Administration. Stacey graduated from EPHS in 1994 and has two daughters, one of whom also teaches in the district. She was inspired to become a teacher by her 6th grade teacher’s enthusiasm for learning.

 Cynthia Hawkins teaches 8th grade English Language Arts at EPMS. She has been teaching for 13 years. Cynthia graduated from Eureka High School and has been at EPMS for 3 years. She has a Masters’ Degree in English studies. Cynthia loves to travel, read, and see musical theater performances. Her favorite part of teaching is the relationships she builds with her students.

Kathy Carter teaches high school girls’ PE, health, and Spanish. She has been with the district for 26 years. Kathy graduated from Sikeston High School and has a Masters’ Degree in Educational Administration. She is the only female football official in Southeast Missouri, and the central district philanthropy director for the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Her advice to someone considering a career in education would be to find your why and your passion.


Welcome to our 2023-2024 New District Staff