On Friday, May 12, 2023, USD 507 hosted a retirement/farewell party for the employees of the Satanta District, providing tacos from La Popular and homemade churro-stye cupcakes provided by Liz Weeks. The purpose of the get-together was to honor those leaving the district.
Josie Cantu will be leaving Satanta Grade School to work at Southwest Guidance Center. Cantu worked as a para from 1994-2010 and 2015-present and was district migrant recruiter from 2020 to the present.
Terri Rankin is leaving the District Office for retirement. Rankin worked as a USD 507 substitute from 2002-2003, as an HPEC para from 2003-2007, and a district para from 2007-2018 before becoming the district’s assistant business manager, a position from which she will soon retire.
Sandra Shepard worked for Russell Child Development as a para from 1987-1991, and HPEC as a para from 1993-2001, and as a USD 507 as a custodian 2001 to the present. Shepard was honored by a card signed by every student in grades 6-12 in appreciation for her work.
Brent Smith is leaving the district to move to Florida and begin life with his fiance. He began his career in USD 507 in 2019 where he taught health and fitness, grades 6-12; coordinated the strength and conditioning program, and served as an assistant coach for football, basketball, and baseball.
Judy Stuckey is leaving the district for retirement. Stuckey completed college in 1978 with a double major in Home Economics Education and Elementary Education. She taught second grade at Tyrone Elementary School for two years before teaching high school home economics at Tyrone High School for four years. She taught Home Economics/Family and Consumer Sciences at West Middle School in Liberal for 12 years and at Liberal High School for 16 years. She taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Satanta Jr./Sr. High School for 11 years, where she served as FCCLA sponsor. Stuckey’s 45 years in education are a tribute to her commitment.
Steven Taton began his career in education in 1985 as a para in Sublette before student teaching in Satanta in the spring of 1987, where he began full-time in the fall of 1987. Taton eventually taught students from 1st grade through 12th grade and worked as a coach and principal. Taton’s career spanned 38 years, and he gave 36 years of service to Satanta. Taton touched the lives of generations of Satanta students.
Mike Ward will leave USD 507 for retirement, Ward served in the US Air Force from 1983 to 1993, including service during Operation Desert Storm. From 1993-2012 he worked at USD 504, Oswego, where he taught middle school math for seven years before serving 12 years as Principal. In 2008, Ward started a charter school in Oswego, the Service Valley Charter Academy. From 2012-2017, he served USD 215, Lakin, three years middle school principal and two years superintendent. Ward was named 2013 Middle School Principal of the Year. From 2017 to the present, he has served USD 507 as Superintendent of Schools. His entire life has been one of public service, a total 10 years military and 30 years in education.