Welcome Murray Schools new staff members

Tacy Vogel is Murray’s new grades 5-12 At Risk teacher. She previously worked at Villisca as a preschool special education teacher for a year, then at Martensdale St. Mary’s as a preschool special education teacher for four years and came to Murray because she lives there.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know people in the community,” said Vogel.

Rachael Speakman is Murray’s new middle school special education teacher. This is her first year teaching and she came to Murray because she student taught there and felt very welcomed.

“I’m looking forward to being able to kind of change how students view special ed,” said Speakman. “I’m wanting them to see that this person’s here to help, this isn’t a punishment.”

Jenny Rhoads is Murray’s new preschool teacher. She previously taught Head Start preschool through Drake in Indianola.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff and the kiddos,” said Rhoads. “It’s very family oriented here.”

Emily Wood is Murray’s new K-12 school counselor and was previously a para-educator for two years at Norwalk. She came to Murray because she liked the small town feel, and will have the opportunity to form relationships with all the students.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the students and figuring out how I can best serve them,” said Wood.

Chellsea Hurley is a new one-on-one associate at Murray, and this is her first year working in a school. She wanted to work at Murray Schools because she is a Murray graduate and has recently moved back to the area.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my individual grow and all his accomplishments,” said Hurley.

Karen King is Murray’s new PreK-12 social worker, and is split between Murray and East Union Schools. She came to Murray to teach the younger generation the skills it takes to eliminate bad habits and improve their lives.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all the students since I don’t know anybody, and getting to know the staff and see what I can bring to the table,” said King.

Jason Aldridge is Murray’s new middle school social studies teacher, and he has previously taught at Twin Cedars and Mormon Trail. He came to Murray because his favorite position as a middle school teacher became available.

“This time I’m actually teaching middle school, which is what I’ve always wanted,” said Aldridge. “So this time I’m actually getting the job I really want.”

Devin Vander Molen is a new special education teacher at Murray, and this is his first year teaching. He liked the idea of coming to Murray because of its smaller population versus large schools that he’s been to.

“I’m excited to get started on my first year of actually teaching special education.” said Vander Molen.

Marie Dodge is a new one-on-one associate at Murray, and this is her first job in a school. Dodge felt that coming to work at Murray Schools was like everything was just falling into place.

“I’m most looking forward to working in the school, because I’ve always loved the school here,” said Dodge.

April Cline is a new one-on-one associate at Murray, and this is her first year working in the school. Cline wanted to work at Murray Schools after bringing her son to school there and seeing how the school was like a big family.

“I love the kids,” said Cline. “And I love watching their brains just develop.”

Jessica Travis is Murray’s new Human Resources Director and is shared with East Union Schools. Travis wanted to come to Murray after years of working in Des Moines and living in Murray.

“I’m most looking forward to getting to know everyone better,” said Travis. “I joke that even though we’ve lived here since 2007, my kids know more people in town than me because I was always working out of town.”

This is the first full week of school for Murray students and teachers.