Oran R-III School District
Home of the Eagles
Staff spotlight, Mrs. Jo Schlitt, High School Secretary
What is your role at our school, and how long have you been here?
I am currently the high school secretary. This is my 29th year in the district. I was in the elementary for 27 years teaching 1st through third grade and later taught title one reading. I retired May 2024 from teaching and returned to school the following August as the high school secretary.
What do you love most about working with students?
Teaching elementary I loved seeing the students grow and change. As the high school secretary I love being able to build relationships with the students.
Share a fun fact about yourself that students might not know about you.
I have been in the Oran district, whether as a student or teacher, most of my life. I started Oran as a kindergarten student and graduated from Oran. In college I subbed in the elementary and was hired a couple of years later as a teacher. Both my kids went to school at Oran as well as my parents.
What was your favorite subject in school?
I would have to say English was my favorite subject, I have always loved to read but was never a fan of writing.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to students?
Don’t ever lose the desire or willingness to learn. Life never stops teaching you. Finding those teachable moments and learning from them is what keeps us growing and succeeding in life.
What is your role at our school, and how long have you been here?
I am currently the high school secretary. This is my 29th year in the district. I was in the elementary for 27 years teaching 1st through third grade and later taught title one reading. I retired May 2024 from teaching and returned to school the following August as the high school secretary.
What do you love most about working with students?
Teaching elementary I loved seeing the students grow and change. As the high school secretary I love being able to build relationships with the students.
Share a fun fact about yourself that students might not know about you.
I have been in the Oran district, whether as a student or teacher, most of my life. I started Oran as a kindergarten student and graduated from Oran. In college I subbed in the elementary and was hired a couple of years later as a teacher. Both my kids went to school at Oran as well as my parents.
What was your favorite subject in school?
I would have to say English was my favorite subject, I have always loved to read but was never a fan of writing.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to students?
Don’t ever lose the desire or willingness to learn. Life never stops teaching you. Finding those teachable moments and learning from them is what keeps us growing and succeeding in life.
Staff spotlight, Mrs. Ridings, 5th grade teacher.
What inspired you to start teaching?
Before teaching, I was a combat arms training instructor with a top secret clearance, who could have become an officer and assisted our nation's military in many ways, but there was a problem - I deeply felt as though I was in the wrong place. One day, my mother-in-law said, “Don’t think that because all your experience is military, that you have to keep doing this.” I knew right away she was right, and although I already had a Criminal Justice Degree and I was 24 years old, I knew something had to change. After searching my soul, I knew that working with children was my passion. I now wake up each morning excited to go to “work” just to get the opportunity to impact the lives of young people. Teaching obviously has its challenges, but the rewards significantly outweigh them all. Don’t just choose a job, decide how you want to impact the world for good…and do that.
What do you love most about working with your students?
I love helping them grow and feel loved. Those little “Ah Ha!” moments, or when you see them take your advice and it works. I love when they get excited about learning the same way I do, and when a frown turns into a smile because of an accomplished goal or a kind word at the right moment. I love knowing that everyday I get another chance to impact the lives of our future generations, but it’s also a big responsibility that I take seriously.
What's a fun fact your students might not know about you?
I love to get dirty! I could spend all day gardening, pulling weeds, cutting grass, hiking, or making a fire. I am an adventurer at heart, so bugs and all, let’s explore!
What's one word you'd use to describe your classroom?
Peaceful (most of the time) :)
If you could give your students one piece of advice to carry with them, what would it be?
It’s not so much what you do, it’s how you do it. Life really is a journey intended to make you more like our loving Creator. Every experience is meant to shape you, so don’t be afraid. Take on every challenge ready to learn and grow, so that each day, month, and year you are blessed to have is not in vain, but transforms you into the perfect image of our Lord.
Roman 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
What inspired you to start teaching?
Before teaching, I was a combat arms training instructor with a top secret clearance, who could have become an officer and assisted our nation's military in many ways, but there was a problem - I deeply felt as though I was in the wrong place. One day, my mother-in-law said, “Don’t think that because all your experience is military, that you have to keep doing this.” I knew right away she was right, and although I already had a Criminal Justice Degree and I was 24 years old, I knew something had to change. After searching my soul, I knew that working with children was my passion. I now wake up each morning excited to go to “work” just to get the opportunity to impact the lives of young people. Teaching obviously has its challenges, but the rewards significantly outweigh them all. Don’t just choose a job, decide how you want to impact the world for good…and do that.
What do you love most about working with your students?
I love helping them grow and feel loved. Those little “Ah Ha!” moments, or when you see them take your advice and it works. I love when they get excited about learning the same way I do, and when a frown turns into a smile because of an accomplished goal or a kind word at the right moment. I love knowing that everyday I get another chance to impact the lives of our future generations, but it’s also a big responsibility that I take seriously.
What's a fun fact your students might not know about you?
I love to get dirty! I could spend all day gardening, pulling weeds, cutting grass, hiking, or making a fire. I am an adventurer at heart, so bugs and all, let’s explore!
What's one word you'd use to describe your classroom?
Peaceful (most of the time) :)
If you could give your students one piece of advice to carry with them, what would it be?
It’s not so much what you do, it’s how you do it. Life really is a journey intended to make you more like our loving Creator. Every experience is meant to shape you, so don’t be afraid. Take on every challenge ready to learn and grow, so that each day, month, and year you are blessed to have is not in vain, but transforms you into the perfect image of our Lord.
Roman 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Staff spotlight: Mrs. Angie Smith, school counselor
What is your role at our school, and how long have you been here?
I have been the junior high and high school counselor for 22 years. Prior to that, I was the speech and language therapist, so I've been in the district for 24 years. This is my 29th year in education.
What do you love most about working with students? What I love most about working with students is having the opportunity to get to know them and to support them as they grow through their high school years and beyond. I absolutely love being part of their lives during these important years. We get to watch them navigate and grow through so many important milestones and achievements.
Share a fun fact about yourself that students might not know about you. I'm a homebody at heart and enjoy relaxing at home, and I truly never get bored.
What was your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject in school was English. I love the subject (I can still diagram a sentence, lol), but I also loved my English teacher, Mrs. Natalie Griffith who worked at Risco High School. I looked forward to her class every day and I still think about her often.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to students? My advice is to focus on what really matters--your faith, your character, and how you treat others. I have always tried to live by my life motto of "it'll be fine", not because life is always easy, but because I believe God has a plan even when things feel uncertain. (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13).
What is your role at our school, and how long have you been here?
I have been the junior high and high school counselor for 22 years. Prior to that, I was the speech and language therapist, so I've been in the district for 24 years. This is my 29th year in education.
What do you love most about working with students? What I love most about working with students is having the opportunity to get to know them and to support them as they grow through their high school years and beyond. I absolutely love being part of their lives during these important years. We get to watch them navigate and grow through so many important milestones and achievements.
Share a fun fact about yourself that students might not know about you. I'm a homebody at heart and enjoy relaxing at home, and I truly never get bored.
What was your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject in school was English. I love the subject (I can still diagram a sentence, lol), but I also loved my English teacher, Mrs. Natalie Griffith who worked at Risco High School. I looked forward to her class every day and I still think about her often.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to students? My advice is to focus on what really matters--your faith, your character, and how you treat others. I have always tried to live by my life motto of "it'll be fine", not because life is always easy, but because I believe God has a plan even when things feel uncertain. (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13).
Softball Game Day! We face Woodlean at home at 4:30PM. See you there!
Today featured player is Lyla Davis!
Today featured player is Lyla Davis!
Mrs. Daniel's Chemistry students are learning about limiting reactants using S'mores as a model. They concepts they learned last week and their powers of observation to discover they are limited by the amount of chocolate they were given. We will use the ideas from this lesson when we move forward with our Stoichiometry lessons tomorrow.
Softball Game Day! We play at Naylor at 4:30 PM.
Todays featured player is Layla Tayor!
Todays featured player is Layla Tayor!
Elementary Spring Pictures and Spring Sports will be taken on THURSDAY, APRIL 9
Use the link below for more information:
www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com
Use the link below for more information:
www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com
Stuco Easter potluck and egg hunt! Great food and fun with a wonderful group of kids.
Lady Eagles Softball Game Day at Delta at 4:30pm.
Today's featured player is Peyton Pullium!
Today's featured player is Peyton Pullium!
Students had a great time partnering with OPAA! and our kitchen staff during their NAC meeting! They helped serve the after school meal and learned the value of teamwork and service. #caring #hardworker
Oran 2nd graders wrapped up library time with a "Books in the Breeze" session. Nothing beats a sunny spring day and a great book!
#SpringReading #SecondGradeReadingRockStars
#SpringReading #SecondGradeReadingRockStars
Mrs. Scott’s 4th grade class has been exploring angles and how they’re measured!
Students had a great time using taped intersecting lines for a hands-on activity to practice measuring angles. Awesome work by Mrs. Scott and her class!
#hardworker #resilient
Last week’s "Soaring Eagle” in 1st grade was Collin Bradshaw! We worked for a couple weeks on the same goal: be a problem solver. Collin has shown that he is capable of critical thinking and problem solving throughout the year. This helps students to develop decision making skills and gain independence. He got to take our eagle home over the weekend and is now added to our "soaring eagle" display in the hallway.
🦅 💙
🦅 💙
Softball Game Day at Oak Ridge at 430pm. See you there!
Today featured player is Allie Graviett!
Today featured player is Allie Graviett!
👶🩺 Hands-On Learning for Oran Students!
Oran’s Child Development class recently had the opportunity to visit the OB floor at Saint Francis Hospital for an exciting, hands-on learning experience. Students toured the unit and even watched a human simulator demonstrate the process of giving birth, helping them better understand pregnancy, childbirth, and potential future careers in healthcare. Thank you to the Saint Francis OB team for giving our students such an eye-opening and educational experience! 💙
Oran’s Child Development class recently had the opportunity to visit the OB floor at Saint Francis Hospital for an exciting, hands-on learning experience. Students toured the unit and even watched a human simulator demonstrate the process of giving birth, helping them better understand pregnancy, childbirth, and potential future careers in healthcare. Thank you to the Saint Francis OB team for giving our students such an eye-opening and educational experience! 💙
Game Day! At home vs Leopold at 4:30pm.
Today featured player: Alexis Campbell.
Today featured player: Alexis Campbell.
Congratulations to Maylee! She is one of our March Students of the Month! Here's what her teachers had to say about her.
Maylee is very polite and considerate of her classmates. She is someone I can count on to be doing the right thing.
Maylee- Congrats on student of the month. I enjoy having you in class and your work ethic. Keep it up!
Maylee McCoy is a great student. She strives to do her best. She always asks questions if she doesn't understand and participates in class.
Maylee- Amazing young girl. Always listens and is ready for class. She always has a smile on her face.
Maylee is very polite and considerate of her classmates. She is someone I can count on to be doing the right thing.
Maylee- Congrats on student of the month. I enjoy having you in class and your work ethic. Keep it up!
Maylee McCoy is a great student. She strives to do her best. She always asks questions if she doesn't understand and participates in class.
Maylee- Amazing young girl. Always listens and is ready for class. She always has a smile on her face.
Congratulations to Sadler! He is one of our March Students of the Month! Here's what his teachers had to say about him.
Sadler is a very hard worker and stays on task. He is someone that is always willing to help others.
Sadler- I enjoy coaching you and having you in class. Congrats on student of the month. Keep up the good work.
Sadler excels in math. He works hard and always has his assignments completed on time.
Sadler- Respectful and always ready for class. This young man is brilliant and tender-hearted.
Sadler is a very hard worker and stays on task. He is someone that is always willing to help others.
Sadler- I enjoy coaching you and having you in class. Congrats on student of the month. Keep up the good work.
Sadler excels in math. He works hard and always has his assignments completed on time.
Sadler- Respectful and always ready for class. This young man is brilliant and tender-hearted.
