Skip to Content
Welcoming new South staff

Welcoming new South staff

10 new staff members join the Patriot ranks this year
Sarah Helm-Reading Specialist
Sarah Helm-Reading Specialist

Who am I?: I am a reading specialist, and my job is to help improve kids’ reading skills.

Number of years: 1st year as a reading specialist.

Before coming to South: West Middle for 10 years as an ELA teacher.

Hobbies outside of work: I like to ride my bike with my 3-year-old son and organize things.

Why this career?: I was interested in teaching kids how to read and improve their reading skills. I switched from an ELA teacher to a reading specialist so I could focus on a smaller group of kids.

Jon Merz-Business
Jon Merz-Business

Classes: Computer Science 

Numbers of years teaching: This is my 7th year teaching.

Before coming to South: I taught at Rockwood Summit and Timberland High school.

Hobbies outside of work: I enjoy woodworking and collecting retro video games.

Why this career?: Teaching is always something I’ve thought about and I found my why in helping others and I wanted to help the future generation.

Danielle Schmidt-Special School District teacher
Danielle Schmidt-Special School District teacher

Who am I?: English 2 and parallel English 2 

Number of years: 14 years teaching.

Before coming to South: Taught at South from 2011-2015, moved to Germany, New York, and Texas.

Hobbies outside of work: Lifting, fishing, kayaking, and anything outdoors.

Why this career?: I always loved school and wanted to help others be successful in their goals.

Amy Laur-nurse
Amy Laur-nurse

Who am I?: Nurse

Number of years nursing: 9 years as a school nurse. 

Before coming to South: school nurse/ prison nurse (nights and weekends currently).

Hobbies outside of work: Anything that has to do with water, hiking, and hunting.

Why this career? : I love working with kids.

Marsha Lankheit-FACS teacher
Marsha Lankheit-FACS teacher

Classes: Intro Culinary and Hospitality 

Number of years teaching: 21 years teaching.

Before coming to South: I taught at Fox School District and South Technical High School.

Hobbies outside of work: Running, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Why this career?:  I enjoy helping students learn and develop, both academically and personally.  I have an opportunity to make an impact on students during a critical time in their lives by teaching them real-world skills that will help shape their future. I also create meaningful connections with my students, addressing topics that resonate deeply with students’ daily experiences.

Emily Jimenez-Science teacher
Emily Jimenez-Science teacher

Classes: Science, Forces and Motion 

Number of years teaching: This is my 14th year teaching.

Before coming to South: Southwest and Warren County Middle School. 

Hobbies outside of work: Go home and relax.

Why this career?: My mom was a teacher so I grew up wanting to be a teacher. I also hated school so I wanted to become a teacher so that I could be that person for somebody like me.

Eric Menderski-Music teacher (band director)
Eric Menderski-Music teacher (band director)

Classes: Band

Number of years teaching: This is my 3rd year teaching.

Before coming to South: I taught in Hermann, Missouri.

Hobbies outside of work: Biking, reading, video games, and cooking.

Why this career?: I wanted to help influence younger people and give them the lessons they need in order to succeed in adulthood.

Samantha Mercer-school psychologist
Samantha Mercer-school psychologist

Who am I: School physcholosgitst 

Number of years: 5th year as a school psychologist

Before coming to South: Hazelwood Elementary and Middle School.

Hobbies outside of work: read, walk my dogs, hikes, and pickleball.

Why this career?: I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher, cause I don’t think teachers get paid how much they should be, I only knew what a school psychologist was once I started in the psychology field, and I loved working with kids.

Jose Jackson-Special Education Para
Jose Jackson-Special Education Para

Who am I?: para/teacher assistant 

Number of years: 7th year in education

Before coming to South: STEM and physical education teacher at Forestwood Middle School in Dallas, Texas. 

Hobbies outside of work: Chill with son, binge-watch TV shows, and play video games.

Why this career?: I wanted to teach to give back to students and give them the knowledge I had of the real world.

More to Discover