Educational Field
Ashlea Blankenship (Harman), Class of 2018
Current Role: English Teacher at Marshfield High School
(Previous experience: 5 years at the Marshfield Library and work in several restaurants)
Favorite High School Activity: Band and NHS
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Mr. Mason
Favorite Blue Jay Memory:
Being on Homecoming Court with her best friend during junior year. All of the school dances were so much fun!
Advice to My High School Self:
“Don't be scared to try new things. Failure is a part of learning.”
Ashlea Blankenship (Harman), Class of 2018
Current Role: English Teacher at Marshfield High School
(Previous experience: 5 years at the Marshfield Library and work in several restaurants)
Favorite High School Activity: Band and NHS
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Mr. Mason
Favorite Blue Jay Memory:
Being on Homecoming Court with her best friend during junior year. All of the school dances were so much fun!
Advice to My High School Self:
“Don't be scared to try new things. Failure is a part of learning.”
Kelli Owens Class of 2015
Current Role: First Grade Teacher, Marshfield Schools
Favorite High School Activities: Golf and Color Guard
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Michelle Mitchell and Kevin Taylor are two that come to mind quickly. While our district was and is full of caring educators, those two played a big role in who I am today!
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Assemblies, celebrations, and home games! Walking out onto the football field with the band, into the gym to the pep band playing, and the student section being full of classmates cheering for each other—or the drum line welcoming us to assemblies—are some of my favorite core memories of high school.
Advice to My High School Self: It’s all going to be okay! Don’t sweat the small stuff and laugh more often at the silly mistakes you make.
Bailee Welsh Class of 2015
Current Role: I am currently in my 7th year of teaching. My entire teaching career has been in 3rd grade at Webster! I have loved teaching in the district I grew up in. It has been such a cool experience to work alongside the teachers I had while I was in school. I also spent 3 years being the Jaywalker coach which was a lot fun!!
Favorite High School Activities: Jaywalkers
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Mrs. Peterson, Amy Wolff, and Mrs. Glenn are just a few!
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Performing at school events as a Jaywalker!
Advice to My High School Self: It goes by fast! Make the most of it while you can!
Dr. Jessica Hite (Pierce) Class of 2002
Current Role: Full-Time Professor at Liberty University & Family Support Partner with Family Support Partners of Virginia. Dr. Jessica Hite’s career has been rooted in education. She began as a middle school English teacher in both private and public schools before moving into higher education. At Liberty University, she has served as the Director of Graduate Student Teaching and has been an Assistant Professor for 15 years. Today, she continues her journey as a full-time professor while also serving families in her role with Family Support Partners of Virginia.
Favorite High School Activities: Band, Key Club
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Ms. Hutton
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Loading up her station wagon with band members and heading to Lebanon for a night of laser tag fun!
Advice to Current Blue Jays: “You can do hard things! One step at a time!”
Katie Tanksley Class of 2018
Current Role: 4th Grade Teacher
Favorite High School Activities: Cheer, ProStart
Most Influential Teacher: Mr. King
Highlight: Senior year rally day assembly with my now husband!
Advice to My High School Self:
"Life works out!! Always does!"
Courtney Maples Class of 2014
Current Role: Band Director
Favorite High School Activities: “All things band.”
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): “Lori Hutton, Mr. Mason, and David Gray.”
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: “Marching on the football field for halftime, making the high school video to Katy Perry's Firework, or playing tag with a tennis ball during indoor cross country practice.”
Advice to My High School Self:
“Stop trying so hard. Do the things you enjoy unapologetically. Stand up for yourself because no one else will.”
Jeremy Cornelison Class of 2000
Current Role: After exploring different jobs and earning his degree, Jeremy Cornelison has spent the last 18 years teaching middle school.
Favorite High School Activities: At Marshfield, he was involved in FFA (Ag) and enjoyed attending games. HIs most vivid memory is the art building at the old Jr. High catching on fire—an unforgettable moment.
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s):
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Mrs. Ahrens – “A saint who helped me learn to read in 2nd grade.”
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Mr. Jim Page – “A great science teacher and so much more.”
Advice to My High School Self: “It goes by fast. Have no regrets. Be more active.”
Kimberly Totten Class of 1986
Current Role: From marching band memories to emergency response roles, Kimberly Totten’s journey has been anything but ordinary! She’s worked as a veterinary tech, ER secretary, and emergency dispatcher for the Springfield Police & Fire Departments and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Now beginning her 21st year of teaching, Kimberly continues to make an impact—just like the educators who inspired her: Dee Lewis, Ed Perego, Rick Siebert, and the always-memorable Mr. Cantrell, whom she once asked: "Why would anyone invent trigonometry?"
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Marching Band
Advice to My High School Self: "You are enough."
Chasity Hance Class of 2011
Current Role: Chasity Hance turned her passion for Speech & Debate into a life of teaching and coaching.
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Chris Roberds, Greg Holtsneider, Normagene Reid, John Mason, and Teri Arthur.
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Numerous speech and debate tournaments with sleepovers at my debate partner's house after.
Advice to My High School Self: “Just enjoy it. It doesn’t matter what others are doing—do what you’re passionate about and have fun.”
Payton Lafferty Class of 2019
Current Role: Payton Lafferty is now a 2nd grade teacher at Webster Elementary.
Favorite High School Activities: As a high schooler, she played on the Girls Varsity Soccer Team and looks back fondly on the friendships she built.
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Coach Lewis, Mrs. Lee, and Coach Nate Thomas.
Advice to My High School Self: “You’re capable of more than you think. Things don’t have to be so complicated—go for what you want.”
Julie Jacobs Class of 2007
Current Role: Julie Jacobs has worn many hats in education—from paraprofessional to special education teacher—and currently teaches at the Junior High while organizing the D.C. trip.
Favorite High School Activities: Traveling to France, Spain, and Italy with her art teacher and classmates.
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Tina Hyde, Mrs. Robertson, and Mrs. Fisher.
Advice to My High School Self: “Work less and try new things. Also—you’re not narcoleptic. Just get to bed earlier.”
Waverley Thoms Class of 2015
Current Role: Waverley Thoms followed her calling into education after working in childcare and now teaches 4th grade in Marshfield.
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Pioneer Day in 4th grade—now brought full circle as a teacher helping her own students enjoy it.
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Michelle Mitchell and Deborah Wilkerson.
Advice to My High School Self: “Believe in yourself, keep moving forward, and everything works out in the end.”
Sarah Hardin Class of 2008
Current Role: Sarah Hardin is a reading interventionist at Hubble Elementary.
Favorite High School Activities: She loved student government with Mrs. Harrison and still cherishes time spent with friends at MHS.
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Sherri Price and Cristy Stewart.
Advice to My High School Self: “It’s okay that you don’t have it all figured out—your life is going to be pretty amazing!”
Kelsey Rogers Class of 2010
Current Role: Special education para at Marshfield Schools.
Favorite High School Activities: FCCLA
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Mrs. Lynn Turner.
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Senior pranks
Advice to My High School Self: “Take the high road. Never change for anyone. Always be yourself.”
Adisyn Gray (Class of 2019)
Current Role: Adisyn Gray has built a life centered on compassion. From working as a CNA to serving as an elementary special education para.
Favorite High School Activities: During high school, she found her stride in Cross Country and Colorguard.
Favorite Blue Jay Memory: Visiting Forest Park and the St. Louis Zoo with the Cross Country team or attending Colorguard Camp.
Advice to My High School Self: “Trust your gut & don’t second guess yourself.”
Mychelle McGlynn (Class of 2001)
Current Role: Mychelle McGlynn’s journey led her from the salon to the classroom. After becoming a licensed cosmetologist, she earned degrees in physical therapy and elementary education. She now teaches 2nd grade at Webster Elementary.
Favorite High School Activities: Cheering at State Basketball her sophomore year.
Most Influential Blue Jay Staff Member(s): Coach and teacher Marcia Smith.
Advice to My High School Self: “You ARE worth it. God thinks so.”