Green Ridge R-8 School District

💜💛 Staff Spotlight – Meet Our New Superintendent! 💛💜

We’re excited to welcome Jon Petersen as the next Superintendent of Green Ridge R-8 School District!

Mr. Petersen is no stranger to education or leadership. After graduating from Cole Camp High School alongside his wife, Erica (Talbott), they both attended State Fair Community College, earning their AA degrees while participating in Show Choir for three years. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education with a minor in accounting from UCM, later completing his Master’s in Secondary Administration and his Education Specialist degree in School Leadership.

His career includes:
📚 4 years teaching high school math in Clinton
📚 Adjunct professor for SFCC
📚 2 years teaching in Lincoln
📚 10 years as principal at Smithton High School
📚 3 years as high school principal in Cole Camp

Mr. Petersen and Erica have three children — Conner (18), Anna (15), and Alex (11).

Here’s what he has to say about joining #TigerNation:

“You only get one first impression, and your school did not disappoint. Your facilities are modern and clean, your people are friendly and warm, and your academic success speaks for itself. I am humbled and thankful for this chance to apply my skills at the district level. My first and most important task will be to learn the traditions and values of Green Ridge so I can make decisions that continue our culture. Please introduce yourself when you see me — I want to know how I can best represent you.”

Welcome to Green Ridge, Mr. Petersen — we’re proud to have you leading our district! 🐅💜💛

#WelcomeToGreenRidge #TigerPride #GR8Staff #TigerNation #Leadership

August Board Meeting Agenda

📢 We’re Hiring!
Green Ridge R-VIII School District is looking for a full-time Special Education Paraprofessional (7–12 grade) for the 2025-2026 school year.

We’re seeking a dynamic, student-centered professional to join our team! Applicants must have 60 college hours or have passed the Missouri paraprofessional test.

📅 Position open until filled.
📍 Apply today and help make a difference in our students’ lives!

🔗 Apply & Learn More: https://www.greenridge.k12.mo.us/page/employment

#GreenRidgeTigers #WeAreHiring #Paraprofessional #JoinOurTeam #SpecialEducation

The GR8-est team! Looking forward to a wonderful school year at Green Ridge. We will see everyone on Monday at open house.

Green Ridge Boosts Rural Students’ Career Opportunities through rootEd Green Ridge School District is continuing its participation in the rootEd Missouri Career Advising Initiative, a statewide program that provides rural high school students with a dedicated college and career advisor to help them create a clear plan for life after graduation. Through rootEd, all seniors receive personalized advising to prepare for a well-paying career through college, career training, apprenticeships, or military service. Advisors also partner with local businesses to connect students to in-demand opportunities in the area. Jill Peterson will continue to serve as the rootEd advisor at Green Ridge R-VIII for the 2025–26 school year. She will help students explore career options, apply for college or training programs, navigate financial aid, enroll in post-secondary opportunities, and successfully transition from high school. The Missouri Career Advising Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and rootEd Missouri, led by Ozarks Technical Community College and the national nonprofit rootEd Alliance. Green Ridge R-VIII and Mrs. Peterson receive ongoing training, data insights, and guidance while working closely with the school counselor and staff to support every student’s success. For questions, contact Mrs. Peterson at petersonj@grtigers.net.

Day 2 of teacher PD complete. Thank you to Mindy Hubbard, Hubbard Literacy Connections for expanding on quality engagement strategies, especially the 5 C's.

aaaannnnnddd we're off! Welcome back to all the teachers and paras. Today included lunch from Kehdes BBQ and ended with staff meetings. Thank you to everyone for adding to the excitement of the day. I was great to get people back in the building, it will be even better to see those kids next week!

💜💛 Staff Spotlight – Meet Mr. John Maupins! 💛💜

We’re excited to welcome Mr. John Maupins as our new Life Fitness Coach here at Green Ridge!

Originally from Sedalia, Mr. Maupins brings 16 years of personal training experience and 15 years as an MMA coach. What began as his own journey to lose weight turned into a lifelong passion and career in health and fitness. 🥋💪

🏆 What he’s most excited about:
"I’m excited to get to know the students and the teachers, and to spread my love for fitness within the community with this and future generations of students."

🌱 Fun fact:
Mr. Maupins enjoys gardening and keeping a beautiful lawn.

He’s looking forward to growing in this role and building strong connections with our students, families, and the Green Ridge community.

Welcome to #TigerNation, Mr. Maupins! We’re ready to get moving! 🐅💜💛

#WelcomeToGreenRidge #TigerPride #LifeFitness #TigerNation #NewStaffSpotlight

High School Athletic Practices start tomorrow 8/11. Athletes will need to have an up-to-date physical on file, or bring their new physical to the head coach before they are able to practice. HS Soccer Practice will be 6:15 a.m.-8:30 a. m. Players will need tennis shoes, soccer cleats, shin guards, and a water bottle. HS Cross Country will meet at the Rec Center at 3:45-5:15 p.m. HS Volleyball practice will be 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the Big Gym. Good Luck Tigers!

✅ UPDATE FOR GREEN RIDGE R-8 FAMILIES ✅

The issue with TeacherEase registration on Apple devices has been resolved! 🎉

You can now complete student registration on iPhones, iPads, computers, or Android devices as normal.

Thank you for your patience while this was being fixed! 💜💛

#GreenRidgeTigers #RegistrationUpdate #TeacherEase

New lunch prices for the 25-26 school year are listed below.
All outstanding food charges need to be paid before the school year begins. Students will not be allowed to charge over $10 for lunches this year. Payments can be made to our lunch clerk open house or log in to Teacherease to pay with a card. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Make plans to attend our fall Title I meeting.

Set your calendar for Open House!

📢 Tiger Nation – Important Update 📢

Please read the information in the image below for details on Missouri’s new cell phone and smart watch policy starting this school year. 🐯💜💛

#GreenRidgeTigers #TigerNation

🚨 ATTENTION GREEN RIDGE R-8 FAMILIES 🚨

If you are trying to complete student registration on TeacherEase and see the message below, it is because Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, etc.) are currently experiencing issues with the registration process.

✅ Please use a computer with Google Chrome or an Android device to complete registration.

Thank you for your understanding as TeacherEase works to fix the problem! 💜💛

#GreenRidgeTigers #RegistrationUpdate #TeacherEase

📣 Staff Spotlight – Meet Mrs. Candice (Nikki) Davison! 💛💜📐

We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Nikki Davison as our new High School Math Teacher here at Green Ridge!

Originally from Sedalia, Mrs. Davison joins us after teaching Geometry at Smith-Cotton High School for the past three years. This year marks her seventh year as a certified teacher, and her experience spans both middle and high school math, including work at a college-prep charter school in Draper, Utah, and as a paraprofessional at a school for children with autism.

🎓 She recently earned her Master’s in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology—a perfect fit for her passion for finding innovative ways to help students connect with math.

📘 What she’s most excited about:
"Getting to know new students and helping them in their journey learning mathematics. I’m passionate about teaching, and I love mathematics, so getting to help others is a dream come true for me."

🎉 Fun fact:
Mrs. Davison shares her birthday with her brother—but they’re not twins! She was born on his 9th birthday, which also happens to be her parents’ anniversary. Talk about a celebration-packed day! 🥳

🏡 She lives in Sedalia with her husband, mother, and four boys ages 7 to 14.

We’re thrilled to have Mrs. Davison on our team and can’t wait for our high school students to experience her love for math and learning.

Welcome to Green Ridge, Mrs. Davison! 💜💛

#WelcomeToGreenRidge #TigerPride #HighSchoolMath #TigerNation #NewStaffSpotlight

📚🎒 Green Ridge Junior High & High School Registration Info! 🎒📚

We’re excited to welcome students back for the 2025-2026 school year! Please mark your calendars for registration:

🗓️ August 6
• 8:30AM – 3:00PM — Juniors & Seniors
• 4:30PM – 6:30PM — All Grades 7–12

🗓️ August 7
• 8:30AM – 3:00PM — All Grades 7–12

🗓️ August 8
• 8:30AM – 12:00PM — All Grades 7–12

📌 Students can:
✔️ Pick up their class schedules
✔️ Complete first-of-the-year paperwork
✔️ Get locker numbers
✔️ Walk the building and locate classrooms
✔️ Make schedule changes if needed

📍If you can’t make it to registration, schedules will also be available at Open House.

We can’t wait to see our Tigers back in the halls! 💜💛

📣 Staff Spotlight – Welcome Mrs. Tiffany Dappen! 💜💛🐯

We’re excited to officially welcome Mrs. Tiffany Dappen as our new ELA Teacher for grades 7–9 here at Green Ridge!

Originally from Ruston, Louisiana, Mrs. Dappen is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in English Language Arts in 2002. With 17 years of teaching experience, she brings both passion and expertise to our junior high students.

📚 What she’s most excited about:
"After a two-year break from having my own classroom, I’m excited to teach again and make a difference in my students' lives."

🌍 Fun fact:
Mrs. Dappen lived in England for four years while her husband served in the United States Air Force!

❤️ Something she’d like to share with the community:
"Teaching has always been my passion! I care about every student that walks in my classroom and will do my best to make each student’s experience in my classroom a great one. I subbed at Green Ridge last year and am so thrilled to be teaching some of the same students this upcoming school year!"

We’re so glad to have Mrs. Dappen officially join the Tiger family and can’t wait to see her classroom come to life!

Welcome to Green Ridge, Mrs. Dappen! 💛💜

#WelcomeToGreenRidge #TigerPride #JuniorHighELA #TigerNation #NewStaffSpotlight