On Saturday night (May 18), the Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education approved the hiring of Ms. Kendra Barton, a fourth grade teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School, as assistant principal at Smith-Cotton Junior High School. She succeeds Mrs. Stephanie Jackson, who recently was named principal of Parkview Elementary School.

Ms. Barton has taught at Horace Mann since 2006. Prior to that assignment, she taught third and fourth grade at Heber Hunt Elementary from 2000 to 2006, and was a fifth grade teacher in the Lincoln R-II School District from 1992 to 2000. She previously served as an assistant volleyball coach (2000-2003) and head softball coach (2005-2007) at Smith-Cotton High School, and as eighth grade girls basketball coach (2002-2008).

Ms. Barton said: “In the 13 years I have been a teacher in this district, I have worked under many great administrators and principals who have helped shape me." said Ms. Barton. "I feel it is an honor and a privilege to join the Sedalia 200 administrative team.”

Mr. Jason Curry, assistant principal at the junior high who becomes principal of that building at the conclusion of the current school year, said: “Ms. Barton brings an exceptional knowledge of the Sedalia community and school district. She has a strong curriculum background from her many years of teaching experience, and has been exposed to the Common Core implementation at the elementary level, which will aid our process here at the junior high.”

Ms. Barton will join another new administrator at the junior high, fellow assistant principal Dr. Jennifer Holland, who was hired in February.

“I’m pleased to get the opportunity to work with Jason Curry and Dr. Jen Holland,” Ms. Barton said. “One of my first goals will be to build relationships with staff, students and parents. I want to continue the hard work Wade Norton, Stephanie Jackson and Jason Curry have done guiding the next generation in the right direction.”

A graduate of Smithton High School, Ms. Barton received her associate’s degree from Trenton Junior College in 1988 and her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Missouri Valley College in 1991. She holds a master’s degree in elementary administration (2005) and an education specialist in administration degree (2008) from William Woods University.

Ms. Barton has one son, Ashton.

This press release was provided by Sedalia School District 200.

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