The USD 231 Board of Education is pleased to announce the hiring of Pshyra Bedell, Special Education Coordinator, Gregory Hamm, Manager of Grounds and Maintenance, and Andrew Wright, Ed.D., Sunflower Elementary Principal.
These employees will begin their new roles on July 1, 2024.
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Pshyra Bedell is an experienced educator who has spent her professional career teaching preschool-aged students with various abilities. Bedell has served in numerous capacities in early childhood education, including being a Head Start teacher, preschool center director, and early childhood special education teacher. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments where all children can thrive.
Mrs. Bedell has offered her perspective on numerous committees within the district, including building a leadership team and a teacher advisory committee. She is also a fierce advocate for special education and inclusion and served on the Unified School Champions committee.
Mrs. Bedell continuously seeks new learning opportunities to grow as an educator and leader. She received a Bachelor’s in English from Truman State University in 2005. She earned a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Kansas in 2015 and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Emporia State University in 2024. She has been a dedicated special education teacher in USD 231 and looks forward to transitioning to this new role. She is a lifelong KC Chiefs fan and an avid reader. She enjoys road-tripping and watching sports with her two children and husband.
Pshyra is filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. Jennie Kruckenberg.
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Gregory Hamm earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Safety (1993) and has been employed by USD 231 since November 2022 (Grounds Department).
Gregory and his wife (who will teach Pre-K at Madison Elementary next year) are residents of Gardner and are excited about these opportunities!
Gregory is filling the vacancy created by Mike Greene, who announced his retirement earlier this spring.
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Dr. Andrew Wright started his career in education in 1998 as a teacher in the Lindbergh School District (a suburb of St. Louis). During his eight-year tenure in that school district, he served as a third-grade teacher, fourth-grade teacher, assistant principal, and principal.
Dr. Wright moved to the Kansas City area when he accepted a principal position in Liberty Public Schools, where he served for 17 years. As a principal, Andrew collaborated closely with staff to provide students with productive, engaging educational experiences in a safe school environment. In 2015, Dr. Wright was one of twelve principals in the state to be named a Missouri Distinguished Principal. Andrew quickly points out that individual recognition results from all educators, students, and families within the school community cooperatively working together toward common goals. Dr. Wright retired from the Missouri Public School Retirement System in June of 2023, but his passion for serving as a leader and collaborative member of the school community remains.
In July of 2023, he embarked on a new professional journey when he accepted the principal position at Maple Valley State School with Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD). Established by state law in 1957, MSSD is a state-operated program that serves children and youth between the ages of five and 21 with severe disabilities. Dr. Wright greatly enjoyed his opportunities to collaborate with educators and families to design, develop, and deliver instructional, health, and life skill services for students with special needs.
Dr. Wright has proven to be a diligent, life-long learner. He earned his Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Rockhurst University in 1998. He received a Master’s degree in Educational Administration in 2001 and a Specialist’s degree from that same university in 2005. Dr. Wright earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2019. He is an enthusiastic and optimistic leader who is excited to join the school community at Sunflower Elementary.
Andrew is filling the vacancy created by Dr. Jason Jones move to Coordinator of Curriculum, Professional Development, and Mentoring.