New staff members at LHS

Christopher Barrett is the new instructional technology support for LHS and Eureka High School. He went to college to be an elementary school teacher, and has a master's in technology.  He says his job experience came from learning in his classroom. “My experience for this job all came from the classroom. This job requires a strong background in technology, which I used quite a bit as a t...

Brennan Dooley is the new Industrial Design teacher. He graduated from Lee Summit North High School and Lindenwood University where he studied industrial technology. This is his first teaching job. Dooley is a cosponsor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also the fall weight room coach, and he will be coaching girls varsity diving in the winter. Dooley looks forward to getting to kn...

Alex Dusenberry is a new college and career counselor. Dusenberry was drawn to LHS in part because of its reputation as an award-winning high school. Dusenberry did not have a college and career counselor at her high school, motivating her to become one. “I was flipping a coin for what college to go to,” Dusenberry said. “I want to be a part of the last stop for high school students before...

Kelly Ehmke is a new guidance secretary. She has been in education for a while, having previously taught as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, instructional assistant and now an administrative assistant. She has had two children go through LHS, one graduated and one is currently attending the school.  Her first impression was that LHS was a big school. “It’s a huge school with high academics,” ...

Jill Harmon is a new math teacher. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics. Her first impression of LHS was that it possessed high standards. "My first impression of Lafayette was that this is a school of excellence. The students are dedicated to their academics as well as extracurricular activities and the entire staff is very supportive...

Nicole Hauser is a new French teacher. She attended Parkway West and started teaching in the late 1990s. “Students and staff are very friendly. It’s been an easy transition, meeting all the new people. It seems like the school really emphasizes relationships with students [and staff],” Hauser said. She has two sons, one of whom is a senior at Parkway South High School. She enjoys cooking, traveling a...

Scott Haxton is a new science teacher. He has spent the last two years teaching physics in Illinois, he was also an adjunct professor for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for Analytical Chemistry. He is ready to put his Masters in chemistry to use after so many years of teaching physics.  He is very interested in coaching has previously coached both girls and boys in cross country and track....

Sarah Masterson is a new Spanish teacher. She student taught at the Parkway District and attended Truman University.  She decided to became a teacher after being inspired by her high school teachers. She specifically became a Spanish teacher because the language clicked with her, and she found the culture interesting.  “I had a couple of teachers in high school who really inspired me to, well they r...

Sarah Petroff is the new study hall teacher. She is a substitute teacher for English classes alongside supervising study hall. She received a Speech and Theater degree from Missouri State University. Five years ago she student taught speech and theater at LHS.  Coming to LHS was slightly overwhelming as she had to transition from teaching at a small school to a big school. “Lafayette is re...

Wade Pinkston is the new hall monitor. He has a bachelor's degree in Biology and Health from Cumberland University, a master's degree in Entomology from Ohio State and a University Education certificate from the University of San Fransico. He is a certified substitute teacher for both elementary and secondary schools. Pinkston is also the new wrestling coach and is looking forward to having a suc...

Whitney Ralph is the new In-School Suspension (ISS) monitor. She graduated from LHS and went to the University of Missouri for her teaching degree. “I went to school at Lafayette. [Mr.] Krull was actually one of my teachers,” Ralph said. Ralph is also coaching boys volleyball this year.  “I like getting to know each of the kids and coaching a sport I love,” she said. Currently,...

Matthew Waeckerle is a new social studies teacher. Back when he was in high school, he attended LHS. “It’s crazy to see teachers who were my teachers around here,” he said.  He looks forward to building relationships with his students. His first impression of LHS after returning as a teacher was that it is welcoming and the students, staff and resources are very open and great.  Wae...

Sarah Wengler is a new college and career counselor. She majored in Communications and Counseling Education. She previously had a job as a social worker and she also worked in a nursing home. Counseling provides her a change from the elderly.  “I thought the older, the better with who I work with. I want to help people get into college,” Wengler said. Wengler looks forward to meeting...

Craig Wideman is a new chemistry teacher, he enjoys it because he feels it is straight forward.  “Chemistry is only science with answers. Everything on Earth is made up of the same stuff, and I like that. We, as people, are universe experiences,” Wideman said.  He also enjoys environmental science because he does not like sitting in labs, he likes doing activities. Environmental science gives him an o...

Matthew Zahradka is the new Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC) teacher. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1978, and he went on to attend Meramac Community College and Westminster College.   Zahradka was a part of the International Guard in the 1990s. As a part of the guard, he was called into the St. Louis area during the Flood of 1993, and he helped evacuate ci...