Jessica LaSota
Science

Previous experience: Last year LaSota was a long- term sub in the science department.“This is my first time having my own classroom, which is very exciting,” LaSota said.
College: University of Missouri
Most excited for: “I am glad to now be a part of the official PCH family. I am most excited to continue getting to know my students and see some extracurricular events,” LaSota said. LaSota is also looking forward to sports, concerts, and theatre events.
Fun fact:”I am not from St. Louis, but I appreciate toasted rav’s and gooey butter cake/cookies any day,” LaSota said.

Libby Reed
English

Previous experience: This will be Reed’s 14th year of teaching. Previously she has taught at Villa Duchesne and Parkway South High School.
College: For her undergraduate degree, Reed went to Mizzou. She earned her master’s degrees from Webster University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Most excited for: “So far the community seems really positive and supportive and I’m really excited about that,” Reed said.
Fun Fact: Reed loves British mysteries.

Jeff Rogers
English

Previous experience: Prior to coming to Parkway Central, Rogers taught in St. Louis Public Schools for a year and then at Parkway West Middle for the last 5 years.
College: Rogers went to The Ohio State University.
Fun fact: “I’ve lived all over. I am originally from Ohio. We’ve lived in DC and Virginia and Ohio then here,” Rogers said. Check out page 9 for a story on Rogers unique class project.

Sarah Burgess
English

Previous experience: Previously, Burgess has taught at two public schools in California, at three different schools Alabama, and her most recent school was in Joplin. Her first sub job when she moved to St. Louis was here in the counseling office as a long term sub job. After that she was hired to be the TA in the English department for the remainder of the school year.
College: Chapman University
Fun fact: In high school, Burgess was in Sister Act 2.

Rupal Patel
Science

Previous experience: Previously Patel has taught a year of Chemistry in Allen, Texas at Allen High School and before that Patel taught Physics for a year in McKinney Texas at McKinney Boyd High School.
College: Patel attended SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) for her bachelor’s in chemistry and attended Grand Canyon University for her master’s in education.
Fun fact: Patel loves to paint her nails and she has 76 different colors of nail polish.

Paige Stewart
History

Previous experience: This will be Stewart’s fourth year of teaching. Previously she taught in the Wright City School District for three years.
College: Stewart attended Southeast Missouri state where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She earned her master’s degree from Lindenwood. “[I] am currently pursuing an education specialist degree in teacher leadership from Southeast Missouri State University,” Stewart said.
Most excited for: Stewart is most excited to be a part of a large school community.
Fun fact: Stewart has a twin brother, but they were born on different days. He was born before midnight while she was born over an hour after midnight.

Check online at pchcorral.com to learn about other new staff members for the school year.