Parsons USD 503 introduces new staff

USD 503 invites the community to join it in welcoming both new and returning educators to the district this year.

Eric Swanson and his wife, Teri Swanson, are returning to Parsons this year, along with their therapy dog, Bailey.

Mr. Swanson has been in education 31 years, 14 as a teacher and 16 as administrator. He served as the Parsons High School principal from 2018 to 2023. He is making a return to teaching this year, serving as a PHS math teacher. “Glad to be back at PK,” he said.

Krista Fisher is the new fifth grade teacher at Guthridge. She received her degree in elementary education specializing in early childhood unified from Wichita State University and is close to earning her master’s in tech ed with an emphasis in STEM and administration at Pittsburg State University. She previously taught K-5 STEM in Erie and third grade at USD 505 in St. Paul.

“I took a couple of years out of the classroom and taught robotics and coding at the Idea Shop in Pittsburg through PSU and Greenbush.”

Most recently she was a site director at Head Start in Columbus. Fisher and her husband, Mike, have a son, Ayden, who will attend the University of Nebraska this fall, and a daughter, Karlyn, who will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Her hobbies are sports and wildlife photography, traveling and spending time with family.

“My goal for my students is to have a year that they remember, and if I can help one student learn to love education, or something new, I will consider myself a success,” Fisher said. “We are teaching the future and if we can teach the love of learning, we can change the world.”

Brooklynn Vincent will be teaching art at PHS and the middle school. She holds a bachelor’s in fine arts with an emphasis in education, a bachelor of science in technology with an emphasis in graphic design and a master’s in arts in teaching with an emphasis in elementary education. She taught the last two years at Stockton R-1 School District as its high school art teacher. Prior to that she was the elementary art teacher (K-3) teacher at Abilene.

“I’m a third generation cattle farmer with my parents and little sister. My hobbies include any and everything artistic, reading, writing, watching movies with friends and going flea marketing with mom/little sister. My goal for this year is to foster creativity, critical thinking and a strong sense of self-expression.”

Barbara McCoy, who holds a master in science in education from PSU, is another returning educator to Parsons. She taught FACS at the middle school from 2003 to 2016. Since then she taught FACS for two years and ESL for five years in Oklahoma schools.

“I’m very excited to be back home in Parsons to be closer to my parents. I have two grown children and my hound dog, Henry. I am looking forward to teaching my students life skills and being creative. We are going to have so much fun in FACS!”

Jeremy Stenstrom holds a degree in wildlife biology from K-State, though he has a 16 year career in law enforcement. This is his first year teaching and he will be taking over the sixth and eighth grade science class at Parsons Middle School. Of home life, he said, “I enjoy all of my kids’ activities and events. I also enjoy anything outdoors.”

J.R. Keene is the new automotive teacher at Parsons High School. Anything automotive has long been his hobby, as has welding and fabricating. When not in a shop, you will usually find him cooking or spending time with his beautiful wife of 15 years, Jessica, and his five children. This is his first year teaching. He is currently enrolled at LCC to earn his general studies degree and at Pittsburg State University in the Career and Technical Education Program.

Bess Stone will be teaching life skills at Garfield. This is her first year of teaching. Stone got married July 12. She has a daughter who is going to be a freshman at PHS this year.

“I love to crochet, spend time with my family, play board and video games,” Stone said. “My happy place is Estes Park, Colorado, spending time with my family and my grandpa hiking and enjoying nature.”

Teri Swanson is returning to Parsons High School this year, working as the PHS resource teacher. She has her master’s in high incidence special education from Pittsburg State University. She taught two years at PHS and one year at Neodesha.

“I have four adult children and one grandchild on the way. I enjoy remodeling/updating my house. I also like to refresh/ refinish furniture,” Swanson said. “My hope is for my students to be successful and make progress towards their school and personal goals.”

Myrna Malia Merrick is the new third through fifth grade special education teacher at Garfield. Merrick has a bachelor’s in finance from Pittsburg State University and anticipates having her master’s in career and technical education in May 2026. This is her first year teaching.

“My 30-year-old son lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. He does event management for fashion events and graduated with his bachelor’s in technical theater in 2017. I encouraged him to follow his dreams and then decided to pursue my dream of teaching. My goal for my students is to help them exceed their goals and thrive in their lives no matter what that looks like for them in the future.”

Dailyn A. Ortiz-Zapatero is the new resource math teacher at Parsons Middle School. She graduated from LCC with a general ed degree and will be attending MSSU for her bachelor of science in education. She has been a para educator for four years at Parsons Middle School, but this is her first year teaching.

“I’m extremely excited to start the year, and to finish it strong. Most of all I am excited to be teaching at a school that I attended when I was younger. For my kids, I hope to see so much growth and I can’t wait to see what our future holds.”