
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

Lindell Conway
Chief Academic Officer/LEA Contact
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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

Ginny Wills
Principal/Title IX Coordinator
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Biography
About Ginny Wills
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

Paige Scanlon
Speech Pathologist/Process Coordinator
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Biography
About Paige Scanlon

Renee O'Hanlon
Librarian
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Biography
About Renee O'Hanlon

Jessica Sutton
Preschool
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Biography
About Jessica Sutton

Corie Valle
Kindergarten
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Biography
About Corie Valle

Hope Litton
First Grade
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Biography
About Hope Litton

Theresa Kernan
Second Grade
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Biography
About Theresa Kernan

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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Biography
About Stephanie Rankin

Aaron Hampton
5–8 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
5–8 Math
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Biography
About Jason Merseal
- Teaches grades 5–8 math and 5–6 social studies
- 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

Jordan Thurman
5–8 Social Studies
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Biography
About Jordan Thurman

Nicole Fields
5–8 ELA
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Biography
About Nicole Fields

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

Madison Marler
Art/Supplemental ELA
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Biography
About Madison Marler

Jennifer McClain
Special Education
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Biography
About Jennifer McClain

Blair Dicus
Special Education
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Biography
About Blair Dicus

Melissa Schwarzen
Parents as Teachers
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Biography
About Melissa Schwarzen

Phil McCoy
P.E.
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About Phil McCoy

Katherine Taylor
Music/Band
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Biography
About Katherine Taylor
Support Staff

Mark Abeln
Information Technology
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Biography
About Mark Abeln

Maggie Valle
A/P, H/R, Bookkeeper & MOSIS
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Biography
About Maggie Valle

Nathan Warren
School Resource Officer
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Biography
About Nathan Warren

Melissa Butler
Custodian
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Biography
About Melissa Butler

Penny Barnes-Hill
Bus Driver
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Biography
About Penny Barnes-Hill

Laura Bennett
Payroll & Regulatory
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Biography
About Laura Bennett

Heather Butler
Office Secretary/Health Clerk
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About Heather Butler

Laura Butler
Cook
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About Laura Butler

Amy Declue
Custodian
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Biography
About Amy Declue

Kurt Emily
Maintenance
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Biography
About Kurt Emily

Donna Insco
Title I Math Paraprofessional
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Biography
About Donna Insco

Jessica Riddle
Office Secretary
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Biography
About Jessica Riddle

Mike Danback
Bus Driver/Mechanic
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Biography
About Mike Danback

Sue Speck
Bus Driver
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Biography
About Sue Speck

Shirley Turner
Bus Driver
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Biography
About Shirley Turner

Heather Boyer
Head Cook
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About Heather Boyer

Elijah Emily
Paraprofessional
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Biography
About Elijah Emily

Ashleigh Schott
Paraprofessional
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Biography
About Ashleigh Schott

Alisha Schott
Bus Aide/Para
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Biography
About Alisha Schott

Kim Johnson
Paraprofessional
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Biography
About Kim Johnson

Will Yoesting
Bus Driver
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Biography