NEWS RELEASE:
There’s a misconception in Bucyrus that talented graduates from Bucyrus High School move away and never return. However, the staff listing for the Bucyrus City School District shows that misconception may not be as true as many believe.
Nearly 60 Bucyrus alumni, spanning several generations, have returned to the Redmen family to positively impact current students in a similar way as staff members before them. Dave Jones, a 2002 BHS graduate and the district’s Technology Director moved back to Bucyrus after living in a Columbus suburb for three years.
“My wife (Elise, also a BHS graduate) and I missed the small-town life with our family,” said Jones. “Once our daughter was born, it was evident that our home was in Bucyrus.”
For 2009 Bucyrus graduate Kaitlyn Fourman, returning home to become the Director of Choirs was based largely on the opportunity to join the staff and become colleagues with many of the same people who she had in class as a student.
“My parents both work here and it was nice to become coworkers with some of my former teachers,” said Fourman. “We work well together to support the students and provide positive comradery to each other.”
Kindergarten teacher Allie Hawkins, a 2012 graduate, stayed close to home for college at Heidelberg College, completed her student teaching at Bucyrus Elementary School and fell back in love with the community.
“I always thought I would move away,” said Hawkins. “The friendliness, familiarity, and the feeling of home made it an easy decision to come back.”
Pat Hargis, a member of the Class of 1971, started working in the district as a science teacher six years ago due to a shortage of teachers in her particular discipline. Working at her alma mater has been nothing but a positive experience.
“The students at BHS are great kids and are one of the best things about working in the Bucyrus City School District,” said Hargis. “Knowing many of their families is another great perk of working in my hometown.”
The best thing about working in the district for Jones is the chance to give back and make a positive impact on the next generation of Bucyrus alumni.
“I’m very grateful and extremely proud of the education I received at Bucyrus,” said Jones. “I feel blessed to be able to assist in the educational process for our next generation of Redmen alumni.”
Hawkins will tell you the best thing about working at her alma mater is the feeling of being home and knowing so many of her colleagues throughout the district.
“I have known many of the staff members for years, or even had some as a teacher when I was a student at Bucyrus,” said Hawkins. “I feel so comfortable and have grown relationships with so many wonderful people.”
Bucyrus alumni who have returned to the district to work with and for the students and community include: Kaitlyn Fourman, Kim Haldeman, Kim Mutchler, Tammy Myers, Dave Jones, Heidi Roll, Todd Roll, Pat Hargis, Brett Love, Kaylene Love, Tena Herman, Jamie Lyons, Alyssa Burcher, Kelly Schifer, Tiffany Powers, Amy Hawkins, Allie Hawkins, Melissa Haldeman, Heather Miller, Nancy Fischer, Tony Michalek, Amy Plumley, Kevin Boggs, Justine Moodespaugh, Jackie Fruth, Amye Nolen, Aubrey Boyd, Ashton Boyd, Judy Grochowalski, Felecia Ervin, John Kime (Board Member), Adam Stone (Board Member), Matt Hoover, Kim Binnix, Linda Snyder, Jane Kepler, Diane Kaple, Kris Knodell, Matt Makeever, Danica Schifer, Marianne Markley, Lisa Blizzard, Sheryl Bryant, Renee Tyrrell, Kate Rothhaar, Jennifer Weber, Carrie Robertson, Monica Johnson, Josh Stratton, Kiley Thompson, Charmaine Teets, Angi Lederer, Loretta Green, Deb Hoover (Board Member), Dee Miley, Nicole Miller, Joyce Barciz, Shannon Landis.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have such a large number of our Redmen alumni serving as staff members in this district,” said Kevin Kimmel, Bucyrus Superintendent. “This is a true testament to the positive impact that past staff members made on these alumni when they were students, and I’m grateful to have them back as part of the Redmen family.”
