Mrs. Kay Hesemann has been teaching at the Franklin County R-II School District for the past 37 years. She started teaching in the fall of ‘81, following her graduation from Central Missouri State University (later renamed UCM).
Before college and high school, Mrs. Hesemann was just an elementary school student. She realized by 1st grade that she wanted to be a teacher.
“I have always wanted to teach, ever since I was in 1st grade,” Mrs. Hesemann commented. “I used to make my brother sit downstairs and play [school]. I never thought about doing anything else.”
Mrs. Stock, a reading, music, and art teacher, was the person who positively influenced Mrs. Hesemann’s decision to teach.
While in high school, Mrs. Hesemann worked three various jobs. She ran the eat stand for 2 years (though she did come back to it during her summers at college), Ashley’s, the Hat Factory, and occasionally babysat.
She graduated from New Haven High School in ‘77 and went on to attend CMSU, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Education. She lived in New Haven for 23 years before moving to a rural area in Owensville.
After graduating, she went looking for a job with the intention of becoming a kindergarten teacher. However, she wanted to be closer to home and decided to look near the New Haven area. She called Franklin County R-II, looking for a job, and the board president offered her a choice of 4 grades. She chose second grade and also ended up coaching volleyball at R-II for 8 years.
“I never had an interview at R-II! I was offered a job and took the youngest one offered to me-- which happened to be 2nd grade,” Mrs. Hesemann mentioned.
“The kids are the best part of teaching. They always make you feel young. I am worried I will feel old after leaving, but I won’t miss filling out government papers.”
After working for a while, she went on to marry her husband, Rob, in ‘83. They have been happily married for 35 years and have one son together named Jordan. In their free time they enjoy traveling “anywhere and everywhere.”
“I am not too sure about retiring [right] now. So many things [however have] directed me to do it this year,” Mrs. Hesemann commented. “[After retirement] everyone else has ideas for what I should do! I am thinking about subbing. That way I can pick my hours.”
Past students from R-II also wanted to share their favorite parts of second grade, which they had with Mrs. Hesemann.
Freshman Owen Borcherding had this to say, “My favorite part of 2nd grade with Mrs. Hesemann, was doing math and completing it, and getting a piece of candy if we were right. Also she just was nice to the kids in the class.”
Lexi Oetterer and Julia McIntyre had similar things to say about their second grade experience. Lexi summed it up with, “In second grade, we put our handprints on the wall with paint. Most, if not all, of her classes did this. It was just fun and unique.”
Having Mrs. Hesemann as a teacher as well, I also loved her class. She was the first person to spark my interest in school by making me, and others too, feel special in class. She had this passion to teach and it really made school fun and made us kids want to learn. She is unique and she will be missed at R-II.
We would like to thank Mrs. Hesemann for teaching for the last 37 years. She will truly be missed as the 2nd grade teacher at R-II, and we wish her the best in all her future endeavors.