TMP-M

TMP-Marian is pleased to announce several new hires on campus. Matthew Spurlock will teach JH Math, Emma Stroyan will teach Biology, James Johnston will teach Social Sciences and Titus Falcon and Steve Werth will be joining our maintenance department.  All new hires will begin their roles in preparation of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Matthew Spurlock comes to us from Temple Academy in Waterville, Maine.  He is a Kansas Native that graduated from Chapman High School in Chapman, KS and college from Fort Hays State University in 2017, with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English.  “I believe that building strong relationships with the students is important. By doing so, the students feel that they have a part and say in what happens in the classroom,” said Spurlock when asked about his teaching philosophy.  Spurlock writes and reads poetry in his spare time and feels that he was called to teach after tutoring a fellow student in high school. In addition, Spurlock stated, “My high school Math and Physics Teacher, Mrs. Gruen was wonderful at breaking down difficult processes to make them manageable.”

Emma Stroyan is originally from Bloomington, IL, where she graduated from University High School.  Stroyan graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2018, with a degree in Biology-Natural Resources.  She worked as an intern at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, FL, during the summer after graduation from FHSU. Stroyan monitored sea turtle populations along the Gulf Coast by marking nests, releasing hatchlings and tagging nesting females.  Stroyan did not have to look far for inspiration to teach. In fact, she stated, “My Mom was a teacher, so I have been around kids my whole life and she encouraged me to pursue teaching.” Stroyan feels the field of biology is so broad and dynamic someone can take a number of diverse paths with an interest in biology.  “The world is a big place. I want to be able to share knowledge and my experiences with the students at TMP-Marian and provide them with a wholesome view of the world through science,” Stroyan stated. In addition, she played four years of college basketball. The first two years at Division I, Central Connecticut State University and the last two years at Division II Fort Hays State University.  Stroyan was an assistant Ladies Basketball Coach last year under Rose McFarland and looks forward to continuing that role.

James Johnston recently retired from teaching Government, Sociology, Psychology and World History in the Kansas Public Schools System. He spent 7 years at Lyons High School, 24 years at South Barber High School, 2 years at Morland Jr./Sr. High School and in the beginning, a semester subbing in Wichita West High School.  Johnston implements his teaching philosophy by, “Doing more than just transmitting a body of facts to the students. I want to promote analytical thinking. In an information and democratic society like ours, I feel it is vital for the citizens of tomorrow to be able to analyze the vast amount of information and different opinions in which they will be faced with.”

 

Steve Werth was born in San Bernardino, California, but moved to Schoenchen at the age of 5.  He has been a Hays Native ever since. Although he has worked at TMP-Marian in a part-time capacity for several years, we are excited to welcome him full-time.  Werth is best known for free-hand painting logos on the grounds. Most recently, he completed the TMP-M Cross Logo and “Class of 2019” for graduation.

 

 

In addition to Werth, Titus “Pete” Falcon, comes to us with a wealth of knowledge from Russell High School and Sylvan Grove before that.