Perry-Lecompton High School will be welcoming two new staff members and a new administrator this year.
The new PLHS/PLMS Assistant Principal and USD 343 Transportation Director, Cole Fredrickson is excited to begin the next stage of his career at USD 343! Mr. Fredrickson is a native of Plainville, Kansas. Following high school, Cole attended Washburn University for his undergraduate degree, and then Emporia State for his graduate degree. Mr. Fredrickson has a wealth of knowledge in education! He taught 13 years in the Marysville school district as a junior high and high school Social Studies teacher. Mr. Fredrickson followed his teaching career at Marysville with three years as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Marysville. Cole is an outdoor enthusiast, and he loves live music. Mr. Fredrickson comes from a family of educators, and he is excited to begin his time with USD 343!
With the departure of Ms. Kymbrie Ulrich, who is returning to her hometown, the high school was in need of a new math teacher. USD 343 is happy to announce that Mrs. Amy Thompson will be filling this role. Mrs. Thompson was born in Kansas, but she spent the majority of her youth in Independence, Missouri–graduating high school from Truman High School. Amy earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Western Governors University in 2015, and her Master’s degree in Special Education in 2019. Mrs. Thompson started teaching in the Kansas City area and then made the switch to Topeka schools in 2019. While Mrs. Thompson said she enjoys the fun and wonders of teaching middle school, she is very much looking forward to teaching high school students this coming year. When asked why she wanted to join the USD 343 community, Amy said, “I really like how warm and welcoming the staff and students are at USD 343. It's a beautiful landscape within the halls and surrounding the high school. This community truly does have a unique charm and feels like a family.”
Mrs. Casey Woodward is also joining PLHS this fall. Mrs. Woodward is from Topeka, and a graduate of Topeka High. Casey worked outside of education in the corrections department in Kansas; however, she felt her true calling was as an educator. When asked about what led her to wanting to teach, Mrs. Woodward responded, “I had some amazing teachers in my life, and I truly wanted to be that for others. I lived in Tallinn, Estonia for some years and found a deep love for history and social changes. I have been driven to learn as much as I can about people and history since this experience.” Casey has taught for the past nine years at Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville, Kansas. During that nine year span, Mrs. Woodward taught US History, Psychology, Sociology, and Project Based Learning. Casey is looking forward to moving closer to home–near her five grown children, and eight grandchildren.
As we begin the new school year, be sure to give these staff a warm USD 343 welcome!