Superintendent Anna Shepherd announces new Family Resource Youth Service Center (FRYSC) Coordinators for Prestonsburg High and South Floyd Elementary and a new school counselor for John M Stumbo Elementary.
Superintendent Shepherd comments, “We want to congratulate and welcome these folks to their new roles in our district. Jill Johnson is the new FRYSC Coordinator at PHS, Karen Hall is the new FRYSC Coordinator at South Floyd Elementary and Kolby Huff is the new school counselor for John M Stumbo Elementary. Having seen the incredible job they have done in other roles, we know they will tackle these new assignments and be what they need to be for our students.”
Jill Johnson has 26 years in education. She has a Family Development and a Child Development credential and has served as a Family Advocate and as an Early Childhood Assistant. Jill has also coordinated parent involvement, been a trainer for Kentucky Strengthening Families and Youth. She has been a member of the Families First Committee and the Head Start Strategic Planning Committee.
Jill says, “I’m excited to get the opportunity to work with our older students at Prestonsburg High School. Being able to share and help connect students to resources and opportunities before they leave school will be an honor and is a much needed service. I have worked with our very young students and our parents and grandparents and now I am working with teenagers. In working with all these different ages I have learned that we are all in the same storm; we’re just in different boats. My job will be to help students and families find the boat they need to be in.”
Jill and her husband Frank live in Teaberry. They have one son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Brittany, and are grandparents to Layla, Lydia, Jessa, and Julia.
Four years ago, Karen Hall started volunteering at the South Floyd Family Resource and Youth Service Center and was hired as a clerk the following year. She says, “FRYSC is all about breaking down barriers that impede academic success. I don’t only want to simply break them down; I want to bulldoze them out of the way!” Her passion for helping children has led her to be a member of the following: the Floyd County Community Early Childhood Council (FCCECC); the Floyd County Foster Care Review Board; Families and Schools Together (FAST); Parent Cafes; the SFE Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCCS) team; and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Judi’s Place. She also volunteers to help pack weekend bags for students in Floyd County Schools through the local charity, Soul Food.
Karen says, “I’m excited to start the new school year and look forward to continuing my relationships with the families, staff, and most importantly “my kids”. During this season of COVID, our (FRYSC) services are needed more than ever and we are ready to continue to bring awareness and support to strengthen our families. We’re here to help with breaking down barriers from early childhood to adulthood so basically, we’re here to help with anything that can get in the way of our kids being academically successful.”
Karen and her husband Wendell have lived in Hi Hat for almost 30 years. They enjoy spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren Kaleb and Lyric and being active in their church.
Kolby Huff has been teaching middle school mathematics at South Floyd Elementary for the past 6 years. In addition to teaching, he has sponsored the Student Council, the Honor’s Club, served on the school council and been a math content coordinator for the district. Kolby says “Since I began teaching, I’ve been an advocate for each child that comes into my classroom. It is my fervent prayer that the students always know, no matter what, I am in their corner. And as much as I have loved teaching, becoming a school counselor gives me an opportunity to work for kids on a broader spectrum.”
Kolby earned a Bachelor’s degree through Alice Lloyd College. a Master’s from the University of Pikeville in Teacher Leadership and a Master’s from Morehead State University in School Counseling. Originally from Pippa Passes, Kolby has lived in McDowell the past 4 years. He likes learning about new things (from reading, watching documentaries, or traveling to new places), and always enjoys a chance for a new adventure.
Kolby says, “I’m thankful for this opportunity and honored by the trust the administration at Stumbo has placed in me to serve in this role. I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of Mustangs in the coming weeks! When educators, parents, and community members work on the same team for the betterment of our next generation, it can only lead to success. My goal is to see that each child in our community is successful, regardless of what barriers they must first overcome and I am confident that, working together, that will happen.”
Superintendent Shepherd comments, “Please join us in congratulating and in supporting Jill, Karen and Kolby as they begin these new roles. While they will be learning and growing, we are confident they can rise to the challenge and do what it takes to help children.”
Shepherd concludes saying, “We know that this year will hold some challenges and opportunities for learning, just like all years do. We’re planning and trying to ensure that we are prepared for what may come up, just like we do every year. This year we do need our staff, students, parents and community to do what it takes to help reduce the spread of the virus so that we can return to and stay in school. Wear your masks, avoid crowds, try to socially distance when possible and be vaccinated if you haven’t. We want our students back in their classrooms and we need everyone to help make that happen.”
