Our Faculty & Staff
The administration, faculty, and staff at Richwoods R-VII School work as a team to provide a positive environment and a high-quality educational experience for every student. We are happy to discuss any concerns you may have to address individual needs. Please contact any one of us; we'd love to get to know you better.
Administration
Bethany Deal
Superintendent
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Biography
About Bethany Deal
Lindell Conway
Principal
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Biography
About Lindell Conway
- Teaches grades 5–8 social studies and is the assistant principal
- Started at Richwoods in 2015
- Has a Master of Education/Bachelor of Science in education
- Attended William Woods University, Central Methodist University, and MAC
- Hobbies include hunting and fishing
- Favorite book is Lone Survivor
- Favorite vacation place or place to visit would be the mountains
- Reasons for working in education: “To make a difference in students’ lives and to guide them to a sufficient lifetime of making good decision. I also prepare them for high school and let them know of decision and routes to take in high school to make it a great experience.”
- Family is spouse, Chris, and son, Aaron
Certified Staff
Sherry Souders
Foster Care POC/Homeless Coordinator/Counselor
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Biography
About Sherry Souders
- Is the counselor
- Started at Richwoods in 1998
- Has a BS and master’s in social work and educational counseling
- Attended SEMO and Missouri Baptist
- Hobby is traveling
- Pets: a black Lab named Ollie
- Favorite vacation place or place to visit would be Jamaica
- Reason for working in education: “I am hoping that I have the opportunity to make a difference in each student’s life. I have seen many of my students grow from children to adults and have their own children. They are now responsible, wonderful parents and human beings. That is my ultimate reward and my reason for working in education. I get to see the outcome every day in the faces of my (now) parents and their children.”
- Family is husband, Bob, and daughter, Madison
Melissa Schwarzen
Preschool / PAT
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Biography
About Melissa Schwarzen
- Teaches preschool and a PAT parent educator
- Started at Richwoods in 1991
- Has a BS in education
- Attended East Central, Central Methodist, and Missouri Baptist
- Hobbies include crafts, gardening, and fishing
- I am really into "Pete the Cat" books right now
- Pets are dogs, Garnett and Ruby; cats, Mittens, Boots, Ike, Mike, and Fluffy Cat
- Favorite vacation place or place to visit would be a beach or the mountains
- Reason for working in education: “I enjoy seeing how excited my students get about learning and doing new things. Every year and every class brings unique experiences; no two years are the same and no two classes are the same. Being part of a small school, it is great to see the kids’ progress through the years, to see them grow and change so much.”
- Family is Trevor, age 20, Brendon, age 18, and Marissa, age 16
Sarah Curdt
Kindergarten
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About Sarah Curdt
Hope Litton
First Grade
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About Hope Litton
Shelby Hobbs
Second Grade
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About Shelby Hobbs
Susanna Lewis
Third Grade
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Biography
About Susanna Lewis
- Teaches 3rd grade
- Started at Richwoods in 2015
- Has a Bachelor’s of Science in elementary education
- Attended Jefferson College and UMSL
- Hobby is decorating cakes
- Favorite book is Hatchet
- Pets are two dogs, Peanut and Oreo
- Favorite vacation place or place to visit would be Destin, Florida
- Reason for working in education: “I want to make a difference!”
- Family is husband, Jon, and two boys, Hunter, age 6, and Remington, age 3
- Honors/Awards/Accolades: Summa Cum Laude
Stephanie Rankin
Fourth Grade
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About Stephanie Rankin
Amber Paul
Fifth Grade
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About Amber Paul
Virginia Wills
6-8 ELA
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About Virginia Wills
Aaron Hampton
6-8 Science
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Biography
About Aaron Hampton
- Teaches grades 5–8 science
- Started at Richwoods in 2011
- Has a BS in secondary education
- Attended University of WI, River Falls, and Rockford College
- Hobbies include wildlife photography and keeping and breeding reptiles
- Favorite vacation place or place to visit would be the Black Hills and Badlands of SD, as well as coastal MS and TX
- Married with a daughter graduating from Mizzou and a son graduating from HS
- Regional Teacher of the Year nominee in 2017, Golden Apple nominee (IL) in 2003
Jason Merseal
6-8 Math
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Biography
About Jason Merseal
- Teaches grades 5–8 math
- Started at Richwoods in 2016
- Has an AA and BS in education
- Attended MAC and CMU colleges
- Hobbies include golf, fishing, baseball, watching movies, and spending time with family
- Favorite vacation place or place to visit would be Destin, Hawaii, or anywhere with a beach
- Reason for working in education: “To be a positive male influence in a child’s life.”
- Married for 22 years to wife Heather; daughters Taryn, age 20, Lauryn, age 17, and our angel Charlie, who would be 9
Penny Green
Title I Reading
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Biography
About Penny Green
- Teaches Title I reading
- Started at Richwoods in 2002
- Has a bachelor’s and master’s in elementary education
- Attended CMU and MBU colleges
- Hobbies include reading, bike rides, and taking walks
- Has three dogs and one cat
- Favorite vacation place or place to visit would be the Smokey Mountains
- Reason for working in education: “I love working with children, and having the opportunity to help students become better readers gives me the chance to encourage them to enjoy books.”
- Family is husband Jr., son John, and step-daughter Danielle
Jaclyn Bryan
Art / Title I Math
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About Jaclyn Bryan
Nellie Kitchell
Special Education/Speech
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About Nellie Kitchell
Tim Holman
Special Education
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About Tim Holman
Phil McCoy
P.E.
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About Phil McCoy
Matt Bilin
Music / Band
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About Matt Bilin
Support Staff
Angie Robinson
Accounts Payable
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About Angie Robinson
Nathan Warren
School Resource Officer
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About Nathan Warren
Glenda Arnold
Custodian
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About Glenda Arnold
Penny Barnes-Hill
Bus Driver
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About Penny Barnes-Hill
Laura Bennett
Bookkeeper
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About Laura Bennett
Cindy Chappell
Paraprofessional
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About Cindy Chappell
Heather Butler
Office Secretary
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About Heather Butler
Russell Deal
Bus Driver
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About Russell Deal
Amy Declue
Food Service
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About Amy Declue
Kurt Emily
Maintenance
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About Kurt Emily
Jamie Hoffmann
Office Secretary/Health Clerk
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About Jamie Hoffmann
Donna Insco
Paraprofessional
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About Donna Insco
Peggy Reichardt
Custodian
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About Peggy Reichardt
Jessica Riddle
Food Service
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About Jessica Riddle
Kevin Robinson
Bus Driver/Mechanic
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About Kevin Robinson
Shirley Turner
Bus Driver
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About Shirley Turner
Glenda Wideman
Bus Driver
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About Glenda Wideman
William Kitchell
Paraprofessional
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