Fulton Public Schools is saying goodbye to a number of retiring faculty and staff as the school year ends.
Debbie Small, McIntire Elementary School
Debbie Small began her career with FPS at McIntire Elementary School in September of 1994 and worked with several principals and administrative assistants over the years. Small has experienced several building additions and remodels as well as witnessing the elimination of the classroom trailers.
As a valuable member of FPS, she was honored with the Stellar Staff award twice, in October 2003 and again in March 2012, a testament to her contributions to the daily operations of McIntire Elementary.
Gina McLachlan, Fulton High School
McLachlan taught for nine years at North Callaway High School before finding her Hornet home eighteen years ago. She was president of the Missouri Association of Career and Technical Education, two-time president of the Missouri Business Education Association, and has been inducted into the FBLA-PBL Hall of Fame, an organization for which she also serves on the Foundation Board. She was recently named Adviser of the Year for Missouri FBLA.
As a Hornet, McLachlan was recognized as a Stellar Staff member of Fulton Public Schools in 2019 and is a six-year member of the Fulton Foundation. As a Tiger, she serves as treasurer for the Callaway Chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association.
Jacque Cowherd, Central Office
Jacque Cowherd began his 45-year career in education as an instructional assistant in Sedalia, Missouri. He then taught social studies and ELA in Otterville and Marshall Public Schools before teaching in the Vocational Career Education Program at State Fair Community College. Cowherd became the director of continuing education at what is now known as the University of Central Missouri. Before becoming the superintendent of Fulton Public Schools in 2009, he served as the deputy executive director of the Missouri School Boards' Association and as deputy superintendent of Columbia Public Schools.
Over the years, Cowherd has been honored as the MSTA Outstanding Administrator of the Year and as the Missouri Association of School Administrators' Pearce Award Nominee for the Northeast District. In addition to these distinctions, he has served as a member in multiple organizations including the Missouri Association of School Business Officials and the Missouri Association of School Administrators as well as holding positions with MOREnet, Boy Scouts, and Rotary.
Julie Bell, BAC-PAC
Julie Bell began working with the FPS BAC-PAC in November of 2008. She credits Connie Epperson and Jennifer Milligan for always being there to listen and offer advice professionally and personally. Each of them has earned a position as Julie's friend for life!
As Julie prepares to retire from FPS BAC-PAC, she wants to thank her co-workers for their support and friendship and for being exemplars of service - serving faithfully and with humility.
Tina Bezler, Bartley Elementary School
Tina Bezler has been with Fulton Public Schools since 1996 and has served the district in several capacities. She started her career as the kitchen manager at Fulton Middle School. After three years, she became a custodian at the high school, working there for seven years before joining the staff at Bartley Elementary School, a position she has held until her retirement this year.
Bezler earned her Certified Dietary Manager Certification in 1989 and continued her education by attending Missouri School Facilities workshops and training for the many different aspects of her job. It is this type of dedication to excellence that earned her recognition not only as Stellar Staff of the Quarter in 2011, but as Support Staff of the Year in 2019, a recognition she counts as the most memorable moment of her career.
Robyn Frame, Bartley Elementary School
Robyn Frame began her career in education at New Bloomfield, where she was a Wildcat for two years. Frame then taught at FPS, then St. Peter's, then settled in at FPS for the remainder of her career. She serves her educational community as a kindergarten teacher, a trusted mentor, and a building leader.
In 2014, she was selected as the FPS Teacher of the Year, which she describes as her most memorable career moment, along with being selected as a Regional Teacher for the state of Missouri. While these were great honors, she said they are exceeded by the memories she has made teaching children in our community. She realizes teaching is an award like no other; it fills the heart daily.
Tony Lee, District Maintenance
Tony Lee served the Fulton Public School District for 20 years as a custodian in many buildings across the district. FPS appreciates the time and energy Lee gave to the District. He retired mid-year.
Leigh Ann Love, Fulton High School
For 24 years, Leigh Ann Love was a fixture at Fulton High School in the Food Service Department. She checked out countless students as they grabbed their breakfast and lunch. Love saw many changes in the procedures from handling money to fingerprint payment. FPS is thankful for Love and her service to the district.