New teachers join RHS faculty

Lance Ritter

As the school year gets underway, students are not the only ones at Rector High School adjusting to new surroundings. Three new teachers have joined the RHS faculty -- Lance Ritter, Rachel McNamee and Craig Dewey.

Lance Ritter

Ritter comes to Rector after teaching 10 years total at Osceola, Maynard and Gosnell. He is teaching junior high math, algebra and geometry. A graduate of Newport High School, he received an Associate's Degree from Williams Baptist College before attending Arkansas State University where he received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.

Rachel McNamee

Ritter joins his wife, Dawn, who has taught at Rector for the last 10 years.

"Everything's been great," Ritter said of joining the faculty. "I'm still getting to know the students, but I know most of the faculty already. It's been a smooth transition."

Ritter said he tries to incorporate skills and terminology his students are familiar with in order to help them in the classroom.

Craig Dewey

"I try to relate it as much as I can to what they know. Sometimes, when you can relate it to something else, it's less intimidating."

Ritter is a fan of the University of Arkansas athletics program. He is an avid collector of Razorback memorabilia. He enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Rachel McNamee

McNamee joins the faculty as a history teacher. Teaching both junior and senior high students, her classes include civics, American government and U.S. history.

McNamee is a graduate of Greene County Tech and Arkansas State University. She previously taught at Valley View for four years.

"In high school, I had teachers that were very influential in my life. That's what made me think of becoming a teacher. When I went to college and had experiences there, I decided upon teaching as my career."

Joining McNamee at Rector are her three children, Austin, a sixth grader, Carissa, who is in the first grade, and Cannon, who is enrolled in preschool.

"It's been great. The kids love school. We seem to be fitting right in here at Rector."

In the classroom, McNamee says she makes it a point to have each student involved in discussions and activities.

"I try to make it as fun and interesting as possible to make sure every student has the opportunity to learn. I think the more you can involve students in the class itself, the more likely they are to take an interest and work hard to excel."

Craig Dewey

The new agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America sponsor, Craig Dewey, is in his first year of teaching.

Dewey grew up in Prairie Grove, located in the northwestern part of the state near Fayetteville. He earned his degree from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.

Dewey says his interest in working with his fellow students during high school helped steer him towards a teaching career.

"I always enjoyed helping other students through my involvement in FFA and 4H while growing up," Dewey said. "If I had a grasp on something, it just seemed like the right thing to do to help someone else.

"Also, my ag program in school had a lot to do with my wanting to teach. Seeing my teachers help other students and myself really encouraged me. That's pretty much what made up my mind."

Dewey says his goals for this year are to help his students become better leaders and to have a good year in FFA.

Dewey has been in Rector since July 1. In that time, he said he has been made welcome not only by his students, but the community as well.

"I really like it here. Everyone has been really friendly. Rector is a great town. The smallness and uniqueness of the town really makes it stand out."

In his free time, Dewey enjoys riding his horse and traveling.