This week's Staff Spotlight, Serra McCabe!
1 day ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Alt Text: Staff Spotlight graphic for Serra McCabe, Community Health Worker and Elementary Counselor at VBE. The image features a photo of Mrs. Serra, a smiling woman with glasses and a pink skirt, giving a thumbs up. A bulldog mascot and a "Teacher Proud" logo are visible on a pastel gradient background. Image Text: "We are proud to highlight one of the most supportive, friendly, and dedicated members of our VBE team, Mrs. Serra, our incredible Elementary Counselor! Serra consistently goes above and beyond to support both students and staff. Her kindness, positivity, and willingness to help in any situation make a lasting impact on our school community. Whether she’s guiding students, offering encouragement, or stepping in wherever needed, Serra does it all with care and enthusiasm. Our students are truly lucky to have such a compassionate and resourceful counselor leading the way. Thank you, Serra, for everything you do to make VBE a better place every day!"
This week's Staff Spotlight, Krystal Reed!
9 days ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Staff Spotlight featuring Krystal Reed, a 7-9 Special Education Teacher. The image shows a photo of Krystal, a woman with glasses and a yellow shirt, alongside a tribute text highlighting her commitment, hard work, and positive impact on her students and school district. The graphic includes the school's bulldog mascot, a "Teacher Proud" emblem, and the bold heading "Staff Spotlight: KRYSTAL REED."
Happy Paraprofessional Day to our staff!
16 days ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
A Paraprofessional Day appreciation graphic featuring the pun "DONUT what we would do without our paraprofessionals!" and a collage of six photos showing various school staff members.
This week's Staff Spotlight is Courtney Hogan!
17 days ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Staff Spotlight graphic for Courtney Hogan, Elementary Art teacher at VBE. The image features a photo of Courtney smiling next to a bulldog mascot, surrounded by colorful art-themed illustrations and a tribute to her work.
🎟️ Support Our National Beta Students! 🎟️

Our hardworking National Beta students are raising funds to help cover the costs of attending Nationals, and they need your support!

We are hosting a raffle fundraiser, and every ticket purchased helps our students get one step closer to this incredible opportunity. These students have worked hard to earn their place, and now we want to help them shine on a national stage!

💙 Your support means:
✔️ Helping students travel and compete
✔️ Encouraging leadership, service, and achievement
✔️ Investing in our future leaders

Be sure to grab your raffle tickets and support a great cause! Thank you for always supporting our students and our school community.

#BetaStrong #SupportOurStudents #WiredForSuccess
17 days ago, Melissa Allen
Sr. Beta National Fundraiser
🎟️ Support Our National Beta Students! 🎟️

Our hardworking National Beta students are raising funds to help cover the costs of attending Nationals, and they need your support!

We are hosting a raffle fundraiser, and every ticket purchased helps our students get one step closer to this incredible opportunity. These students have worked hard to earn their place, and now we want to help them shine on a national stage!

💙 Your support means:
✔️ Helping students travel and compete
✔️ Encouraging leadership, service, and achievement
✔️ Investing in our future leaders

Be sure to grab your raffle tickets and support a great cause! Thank you for always supporting our students and our school community.

#BetaStrong #SupportOurStudents #WiredForSuccess
17 days ago, Melissa Allen
Beta National Fundraiser
Save the Date! This event is for families and children three and under who are not enrolled in preschool. (A preschool event is scheduled for April 1.)
24 days ago, Stacey Pulliam
Egg Hunt for Children 0-3
This week's Staff Spotlight, Ms. Ashley DeWolf
24 days ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
STAFF SPOTLIGHT We're excited to recognize Ashley DeWolf for the incredible impact she makes in our school community! As our dedicated business teacher, she equips students with real-world skills and knowledge that prepare them for success beyond the classroom. In addition to teaching, Ashley serves as both our yearbook sponsor and FBLA sponsor, guiding students as they develop leadership, creativity, and professional skills. Thank you, Ms. DeWolf, for your passion, commitment, and the many ways you help our students thrive!
This week's Staff Spotlight, Mrs. Tara Hudson!
about 1 month ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Staff Spotlight for Tara Hudson, Elementary Librarian at VBE. The graphic features a photo of Mrs. Hudson alongside a bulldog mascot and children reading. Text: This week we are celebrating Mrs. Tara Hudson! Tara is doing an excellent job as our elementary librarian, creating a welcoming and engaging environment for all students who visit the library. She consistently greets everyone with kindness and enthusiasm, helping foster a love of reading and learning throughout our school. Tara truly cares about the students at VBE and goes above and beyond to support their academic growth while making each child feel valued and encouraged.
Junior Beta 2025-26 was a success! Congratulations to Spencer Rolf for placing 5th in the 8th grade Spanish test. #GoDawgs
about 1 month ago, Van Buren R-1 School District
Spencer Rolf with his 5th place plaque in Spanish
Jr Beta members
Jr Beta members
This week's Staff Spotlight, Dr. Eric Allen!
about 1 month ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
For a truly accessible experience on a website, it is often best practice to include the full transcript in the body text or a "long description" field: Main Title: STAFF Spotlight Feature Name: DR. ERIC ALLEN, High School Social Studies Body Text: "We’re proud to spotlight Dr. Eric Allen, our outstanding high school social studies teacher! Dr. Allen has an incredible gift for bringing history and civics to life, making every lesson engaging, relevant, and thought-provoking for his students. He builds meaningful connections in the classroom, creating a space where students feel heard, respected, and inspired to grow. Beyond his work with students, Dr. Allen is a valued colleague who fosters strong, positive relationships with fellow staff members and contributes to a supportive school culture. Thank you, Dr. Allen, for your dedication, leadership, and the lasting impact you make in our school community each day!" Badges: Teacher Proud (with a flame icon).
This week's Staff Spotlight, Kasey Huddleston!
about 2 months ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Staff Spotlight: Kasey Huddleston. A yellow graphic with a scalloped border features a photo of Kasey Huddleston, a smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a grey "Bulldogs" sweatshirt. The graphic includes a grey bulldog mascot and a "Teacher Proud" emblem. Text reads: "This week, we are thrilled to celebrate Kasey Huddleston, a Companion Aide whose dependability and drive make a world of difference in our district. Kasey is the definition of a hard worker, consistently bringing a creative spark and a motivated spirit to every classroom she enters. Her incredible flexibility allows her to support student success in any setting, and her genuine love for our students shines through in every interaction. We are so grateful for Kasey’s unwavering dedication and the positive energy she pours into our school community. Thank you for being such an inspiration, Kasey!"

SENIOR PROJECT GRADUATION FUNDRAISER ALERT! The Senior class is selling Rada to help with Project Graduation https://radafundraising.com/?rfsn=8996220.e19a047

about 2 months ago, Jamie Lewis
Facebook Post - SENIOR PROJECT
This week's Staff Shoutout, Christy Sanders!
about 2 months ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Graphic Title: STAFF Spotlight Featured Staff Member: Christy Sanders, Food Service Department. Visual Description: The graphic has a dark gray background with faint, chalk-style illustrations of kitchen and food items. It is decorated with scattered gold stars and a circular portrait of Christy Sanders. Christy is a woman with short dark hair and glasses, wearing a dark graphic t-shirt and holding a large bouquet of yellow roses. Text Content: "We are proud to feature Christy Sanders from the Food Service department as this week’s Staff Spotlight! Christy is the first to arrive each morning, bringing a servant’s heart and a joyful spirit to the VBR1 cafeteria. Known for her deep care for every student, she masters the 'little things' that make a big difference—whether it’s remembering a specific 'no gravy' request or taking the extra time to cut a student's pizza into bite-sized pieces. Her coworkers know her as a dedicated team player who is always ready to jump in and help wherever she is needed. Christy doesn't just serve meals; she serves kindness and joy to our entire district. We are lucky to have her on our team!"
THANK YOU to the community members who signed up to be a part of our Bulldog Ambassador Program! 🐾 We loved having you in our building and hope you were able to see firsthand the incredible things happening in our junior high and high school. From our hardworking students to our dedicated staff, there is so much to be proud of and we are grateful you took the time to experience it. Your support means everything as we continue building a place where students want to be and where great things are happening every day. 🐾
about 2 months ago, Jamie Lewis
Bulldog Academy members
This week's Staff Spotlight, Cheryl Taylor!
about 2 months ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Staff Spotlight: Cheryl Taylor. A chalkboard-style graphic featuring a circular portrait of Cheryl Taylor, a smiling woman with glasses and long dark hair, wearing a light purple shirt with a smiley face. The graphic includes a grey bulldog mascot, hand-drawn lightbulb and sun illustrations, and a "Teacher Proud" logo. Text reads: "We are incredibly proud to shine a light on Cheryl Taylor, a dedicated Paraprofessional in grades 4-6. Cheryl is the ultimate team player, doing whatever is necessary to ensure the classroom runs smoothly and every student feels supported. Her fun-loving personality and infectious sense of humor bring a unique joy to our halls, making others laugh even on the busiest of days. Students truly adore her, and her constant willingness to lend a hand wherever she is needed makes her an invaluable asset to our building. We are truly blessed to have Cheryl’s heart and hard work in our district!"
🏀 BIG night for Bulldog Nation! 🐾 Congratulations to Hayes Townsley on reaching an incredible milestone — 1,500 career points! 🔥 To make it even sweeter, the Bulldogs have clinched the BSC Regular Season Championship! 🏆 So proud of this team and everything they’ve accomplished this season! Keep working, stay hungry, and let’s finish strong!
about 2 months ago, Jamie Lewis
Hayes Townsley and Varsity Bulldog team!
This week's Staff Spotlight, Ms. Jenny!
2 months ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Visual Elements: A bright, celebratory graphic with a white background decorated with yellow stars and light yellow polka dots. A circular "Teacher Proud" logo is in the top left, and a gray bulldog mascot is centered on the left side. On the right, a portrait of a smiling woman with brown hair, Jenny Parrish, is framed in a scalloped yellow and black border. Text Content: Header: STAFF SPOTLIGHT - Jenny Parrish Introduction: We are incredibly proud to shine a light on Jenny Parrish, a dedicated Daycare Worker and our head Softball Coach! Body Text: Whether she is providing a nurturing environment for our littlest learners or pushing our student-athletes to excel on the softball field, Jenny’s hard-working spirit is unmatched. She even goes above and beyond to ensure our facilities stay clean and welcoming, proving there is no task too big or small for her to tackle. Her colleagues and students know her best for her deep kindness and the compassionate way she supports everyone around her. Closing: We are so lucky to have Jenny’s heart and energy in our schools!
This week's Staff Shoutout, Mr. Ronnie Womack!
2 months ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
Image Description: A graphic titled "Staff Spotlight: Ronnie Womack" featuring a winter-themed background with blue gradients and white snowflakes. On the right, there is a full-body photo of Ronnie, a high school custodian, standing professionally in a black shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. The graphic includes the district's Bulldog mascot and a "Teacher Proud" emblem. Text in Image: "We are incredibly proud to recognize Ronnie, our dedicated High School Custodian, as this week’s Staff Spotlight! When winter weather hit our campus, Ronnie worked every day to ensure our sidewalks were clear of snow, sleet, and ice. From salting walkways to hours of shoveling, his proactive efforts played a vital role in keeping our students and staff safe during arrival and dismissal. Ronnie’s willingness to go above and beyond in challenging conditions truly embodies the spirit of our district. We are so grateful for his hard work and commitment to our school community. Thank you for all you do, Ronnie!"
We can't let this week pass without acknowledging our school counselors. Happy National School Counselor's Week!
2 months ago, Van Buren R-1 Technology
📸 Image Description: National School Counselor’s Week Visual Overview: A vibrant, celebratory graphic for National School Counselor’s Week. The background features a colorful pattern of school-themed doodles like pencils, notebooks, and smiling faces. At the bottom left is a grey and gold bulldog mascot. Featured Staff Portraits: The top of the image shows three "Polaroid-style" photos hanging from a red string: Kory Ricker: RootEd Advisor (left) Jamie Lewis: High School Counselor (center) Serra McCabe & Deelaney Chilton: Community Healthcare Workers (right) Main Text Transcript: > SMALL SCHOOL, BIG HEART! A huge shoutout to our incredible Counseling Team—our High School Guidance Counselor, our RootEd Advisor, and our Community Healthcare Workers. In a small community like ours, you do it all! From navigating college apps and career paths to being a vital bridge for family resources and mental health support, you ensure no student is just a number. Thank you for providing the safe spaces, the "gentle nudges," and the tireless advocacy our students need to thrive. We are so lucky to have this powerhouse team in our corner!