New teachers welcomed at RHS

Tina Russell

Russell is a 2005 graduate of Arkansas State University.

Prior to joining the faculty at Rector, she worked with students with special needs at the Paragould Pediatric Day Clinic.

"Everything I've done in my life has always been oriented around and involving children," Russell said. "So the career I decided to go with involved working with children."

Russell noted the importance of helping her students improve their confidence levels in the classroom.

"When a student says 'I can't do that,' it's necessary to help them understand they can do anything they put their minds toward. You can succeed at anything if you try."

Russell lives in Paragould and has two daughters. Her oldest, Mallory, is 16, while Zoe is eight.

Much of Russell's free time is spent doing various activities with her daughters.

"They're both very much involved with sports, so that means I am, too," Russell said. "I enjoy watching them play sports and just being involved in their lives."

Russell even serves as an assistant coach on Zoe's youth soccer team.

Not only does Russell's love for children come through with her kids, but it also shows in her approach to teaching.

"I want to create a good, positive environment for my students. I want to help them believe in their abilities as students and individuals. I want them to feel like they can come to school and be comfortable here and get the very best education available. I want to help them improve their skills to become better students and prepare them for life after school."

Russell will be working in conjunction with special education instructor Dawn Simms.

"She's been very helpful," Russell said. "I can tell that she wants what's best for the students just like I do."

Mike Book

Mike Book

Mike Book has joined the Rector High School faculty as the new math teacher for students in the seventh and eighth grade.

Book has been a part of the educational system in Clay County for a number of years, having previously worked at the Piggott School District as a math teacher, basketball coach and assistant high school principal. He was with Piggott for 16 years before he left to focus full-time on his work as a pastor at Shady Grove Baptist Church in 2005.

"I've missed teaching," Book says of his return to academia. "I was ready to return to the classroom. I'm excited to be back and I'm glad for the opportunity to teach.

"I enjoy the students. I like having the opportunity to try to influence kids not only mathematically, but also in a way that can help them do their very best in life in general."

Book was personally contacted by RHS principal Wade Williams to add to an already strong math program.

"I'm excited to be here. Mrs. Ritter and Ms. Powell are already doing a great job here. I'm looking forward to being a part of this department and doing my part to get the seventh and eighth grade students prepared for the next level."

The timing in bringing Book to RHS was near-perfect. He had accepted a teaching position in Missouri, but was able to remain closer to home when Williams called.

"This is where I wanted to be," Book said. "I can't think of a more perfect situation."

Book received his BSE in math from Arkansas State. He earned a Master's in school administration from William Woods University in Missouri.

Teaching has been a large part of Book's life. Apart from his own experiences, his wife, Theresa, has taught at Piggott High School for a number of years. The couple has two children. Their son, Addison, is in the seventh grade at Piggott, while their daughter, Savannah, is a second grader.

Book feels he was called to return to teaching.

"I just want to do a good job for the kids and for the Lord. I feel like this is where He put me."