Mr. FisherText Box:       Mr. Mitchell Fisher Superintendent Featured in the Steele Enterprise August 18, 2005 A familiar face has returned to the superintendent's office of the South Pemiscot R-V School District. After a five-year absence from the job he knows so well, Mitchell Fisher has returned as superintendent for South Pemiscot Schools. Fisher retired from the superintendents post in June of 2000, worked at Still Gin for a couple of years and returned to education in 2003 as superintendent for the Hayti R-II School District, where he served for two years. It's been an interesting journey for Fisher, one that began well before his work as South Pemiscot superintendent. Fisher was first exposed to the world of education in 1945 at Fraley, Mo., where he started school in a one-room school house. After growing up in Gideon and then Wardell, he graduated from Wardell High School in 1957, being greatly influenced by his mentor and high school coach, Bob Edwards.  After graduation, Fisher had not given college much thought, until his grandfather offered to pay the way. Fisher entered college in the fall of 1957 at Arkansas State University. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in physical education and a commission in the Army. During his second year of college, Fisher decided to join ASU's ROTC program. That decision would prove to be significant, because it eventually lead to a four-year enlistment in the U.S. Army, which would include a one-year tour of duty in Korea as a helicopter pilot. Fisher entered the Army in 1961, the same year he married Darla Still, whom he had known since high school. He finished flight school in 1962 and was sent to Korea.   "I thought that I would be sent to Vietnam," Fisher said. "I was qualified in the helicopter they were using in Vietnam, the CH-21. But they had two CH-21 units in Korea, and instead of going to Vietnam, I was sent to Korea." After completing his military service in 1965, Fisher returned to Deering to coach basketball and teach physical education. Deering and Braggadocio consolidated in 1967 to become Delta-C7, a place Fisher would call home for 11 years. Fisher truly loved teaching and coaching, but after seven years, he accepted the job as Delta's elementary principal. In 1976, after four years as elementary principal at Delta C-7, Fisher resigned to begin a new career. He spent the next nine years helping his father-in-law run Still Gin and Grain Co. in Steele, while farming on the side. However, during those nine years, Fisher remained active in education, serving on the board at South Pemiscot for two terms. Fisher explains that in 1985 things were not going very well on the farm, so he decided to return to his life's passion: education. He was offered and accepted the position as principal at South Pemiscot High School, a capacity in which he served for four years. Another career opportunity came knocking in 1989 — superintendent for the South Pemiscot R-V School District. He accepted the position and served for 11 years, until he retired in 2000. During his tenure as superintendent. Fisher was instrumental in the success of several major projects, including the construction of the Multipurpose Building.  In 2002, Fisher was elected to the board of education at South Pemiscot, at which time he began entertaining thoughts of entering education administration again. And, as fate would have it, the superintendent's job came open in Hayti and Fisher was offered the position. Even though Fisher describes his time at Hayti as a wonderful experience, he was more than happy to return home to South Pemiscot. After former superintendent Randy McDaniel announced his retirement, Fisher applied for the job. "I thought if I'm going to keep working, I might as well work at home," he said. Needless to say, he was extremely pleased with the board's decision to hire him back. Fisher has seen many changes in Missouri's public school system over the years, many of which have presented substantial challenges. He says one of the greatest challenges is dealing with the slate's periodic revamping of the Foundation Formula, the method used to determine funding for Missouri public schools. According to Fisher, another new formula will be implemented in 2007, which will be the third different formula under which he has worked. Regarding future goals for South Pemiscot Schools, Fisher was quick to point out that all aspects of the educational process must be built upon the highest of standards. "We have high standards set here at South Pemiscot," he commented. "Keeping our educational program strong is the natural goal, and we're committed lo that." Also, regarding other goals for the school district, Fisher explained that keeping the schools' physical facilities updated is of the utmost importance. "The board has plans for doing that," he said. "We have long-range plans and short-range plans, and we keep those up-to-date." When asked about the teaching staff at South Pemiscot Schools. Fisher slated that South Pem's faculty is "second to none." He noted that many South Pemiscot teachers have advanced degrees, and that many others regularly take continuing education courses. "We've amassed a good staff," he added, "and they're conscientious of what they're doing." Mr. Fisher says that he feels good about being back at South Pemiscot, which becomes quite apparent when discussing education with him. With Fisher, education and the South Pemiscot R-V School District go hand-in-hand. "This is home, and I want to work," he said. "I know the board and I know what they expect of me." Welcome back, Mr. Fisher!   Mrs. Karen Farley Elementary Principal Lucky for me, I decided in the 8th grade that I wanted to be a special education teacher! I started working toward that goal and never stopped until I reached it!       After graduation from Paragould HIgh School in 1973, I went to the University of Arkansas where I graduated with a B.S.E. degree in Elementary Education and mental Retardation. Upon graduation I took my first teaching job in 1977 at Paragould's Oak Grove Elementary teaching first grade. As I began my first year of teaching I immediately enrolled in graduate school at ASU in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In 1978, I received a M.S.E. in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders. Before moving to Missouri, I completed year two of my career teaching special education at Oak Grove Elementary in Paragould.       That same year I married Rick Cooper from Cooter, Missouri and started teaching special education in Cooter. Later Rick and I had two great kids, Luke and Rachel.       My teaching experience has been full of many opportunities. I taught special education at Cooter and later went to Oak View to teach children with severe/profound disabilities. Oak View is part of the Pemiscot County Special School District. During the time at Oak View, I began serving as a Missouri Autism Consultant and continue to serve in that position. After a few years at Oak View, I was given the opportunity to begin the first classroom in our county for children with Behavior Disorders. Initially, the classroom was at the R-III school district and the second year it was moved to South Pemiscot's East Elementary. Years later, I began to serve as the Special Education Consultant for the Pemiscot County Special School District where I served the 8 school districts of our county.         After completing my Master's degree I continued to go back to graduate school to receive additional certification in Severe Developmental Disabilities, Orthopedically Handicapped, Gifted and Talented and Elementary Administration. I was given many opportunities during these years for growth including  representing  Missouri teachers as Missouri Teacher of the Year in 1981 and serving on the state Special Education Advisory Board for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.       I returned to South Pemiscot in 1997 where Luke and Rachel were students in Junior/Senior High. That summer my husband Rick was killed in a tragic accident and I felt very fortunate to be back at South Pemiscot with my children and with the great support of the Steele community. The Board of Education hired me to write, develop, and later teach the first program for Gifted and Talented children in our district (L.E.A.P.).       In 1998, Stella Griffin who had been an institution in the elementary school, retired from the principalship and I was offered the position. Alas! That is how I arrived in this position which I truly love!       July of 2000 brought some personal changes for me and I married Bill Farley who had been my high school sweetheart in Paragould.       I completed my Specialist' degree in the superintendency in 2003 from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.       This is my 29th year in education and I have loved it! I continue to love school, my job, and even more so the children I see everyday. My job is a huge part of my life and it is an opportunity for me to give back to a community that has been so good to me. I still wake up every day excited that I'm going to school!  Another reason my job is so great at South Pemiscot is because of our wonderful and talented staff. They make our school a very special place for children. I am so thankful to be a part of this great school!    

Mr. Fisher

Mr. Fisher