Kiel Giese will serve as PCHS's interim principal for the 2023-24 school year. Mr. Giese has served as assistant principal at PCHS for the past three years, after serving nine years as a social studies teacher and coach at PCHS. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science & Public Administration from Missouri Valley College, his master's degree in Athletics/Activities Administration, and specialist degree in Administration from William Woods University. He is currently completing the necessary requirements to earn his doctorate in Educational Leadership from William Woods University. Kiel and his wife Shannon have three children, Teigan (4), Liam (2), and Canten (9 months).
Mr. Giese is a 2001 graduate of PCHS and is excited to continue to support the staff, students, and families of Platte County High School. He is thankful for the opportunities he has had in Platte County School District and is looking forward to repaying the community that has done so much for him. He believes in leading by listening first to provide support to, and ensure the success of, our staff and students. The relationships that he has built with the administrative team and the lessons learned from this partnership will set the foundation for continued success at Platte County High School as well as a smooth transition into the 2023-24 school year. "I am very proud of the staff at PCHS and their commitment to student achievement," Kiel shares. "I look forward to continuing to support this dedicated staff in their efforts for all students."
Dr. Mandi Tolen will serve as an assistant principal at Platte County High School starting in the 2023-24 school year. Dr. Tolen has 22 years of experience in education as a middle and high school math, ELA, and technology teacher, and as a district technology coordinator. She received her bachelor's degree in education from Missouri Western State University, master’s degree in information science and learning technology from the University of Missouri, and Specialist and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from William Woods where she also serves as an adjunct professor and dissertation committee member. Dr. Tolen shares on two educational blogs, a video podcast, and is the author of Make Math Not Suck.
Dr. Tolen strives to make school a place students want to learn and grow. She believes in accountability with grace, and uses research based practices, instructional technology, and data to increase student engagement and learning. Mandi reads, plays video games, creates t-shirts, sews, and loves to spend time with her children when they are home. Her oldest daughter graduates from medical school at the end of May, her second daughter lives in Kentucky, her third daughter works for Honeywell as a chemical engineer, and her son is in college. Her husband Jason is retiring from education after 28 years. Mandi is looking forward to working with the team at Platte County High School and building relationships with teachers, students, and the community.
Eric White will serve as the principal of Compass Elementary starting with the 2023-24 school year. Mr. White has 15 years in education as an elementary teacher, assistant principal, and most recently as the principal of Lindbergh Elementary in the St. Joseph School District. He received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and an education specialist degree in K-8 Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Mr. White is a strong believer in servant leadership, promotes a growth mindset, and takes pride in being an involved instructional leader. Eric resides in the Platte County School District with his wife and two children. He has a son who will begin Kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year at Compass Elementary and a younger son who will eventually attend Compass. Mr. White is beyond excited to join Pirate Nation and looks forward to connecting with the students, families, and community of Compass Elementary!
Current Compass Principal Dr. Kim Archer will be joining the PCMS 6th grade team as a social studies teacher next year. She shares: "As some of you may know, my husband Jeff and I are raising two Platte County Pirates of our own. Our sons, Cole and Tate, will both be at PCHS next year and their extracurricular activities keep us busy as a family. With a new expansion of my husband's business, I need to have greater flexibility for my family and our boys’ activities and this change helps to support that need. I have been so blessed to be a part of this district and the Pirate community has embraced my family throughout this time so we are excited to continue our time here. I am truly looking forward to getting back into the classroom and working with students and alongside my peers next year!"
Dr. Drew White will serve as Platte County School District’s Deputy Superintendent and will officially begin serving in this capacity on July 1, 2023. The District is restructuring leadership following the retirement announcements of Assistant Superintendents Dr. Rob Gardner and Dr. Mike Brown. Both will retire following this school year, after serving PCR-3 for 27 and 12 years, respectively.
Dr. White started his career in the Blue Springs School District as a teacher at the Blue Springs Freshman Center and a football coach at Blue Springs High School. Dr. White then moved to the North Kansas City School District in 2015 as the AVID Coordinator at Staley High School. He started his career in administration as the assistant principal for Winnetonka High School where he led building-wide professional development, the safety and security team, and various efforts for student achievement. In 2019, Dr. White became the associate principal for North Kansas City High School, serving in this capacity for a one-year transition before assuming his current role as building principal. He has led his staff, students, and community through the implementation of school-wide college and career pathways, to higher student achievement and graduation rates, and in the development and execution of his building’s strategic improvement plan.
Dr. White earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from William Jewell College, and continued his education by earning a Master of Education from the University of Missouri, and an education specialist degree from William Woods University. In 2018, Dr. White graduated from William Woods with his Doctorate of Education in educational leadership. Dr. White is a passionate educator who works tirelessly with students, staff, and community members to ensure all students succeed at the highest level. He is extremely excited to serve in Platte County as Deputy Superintendent and will work to provide our students with the highest quality education possible, preparing them for success both in and out of the classroom. He is committed to working with our dedicated staff and community to achieve great things and continue to uphold the standard of excellence for which Platte County Schools are known. Dr. White is originally from Harrisonville, Missouri, and he grew up in a family of educators. His father was a teacher who later served as a Superintendent. His mother was an elementary school teacher for 28 years including ten years in the Platte County School District. His wife, Callie, is currently a kindergarten teacher in the North Kansas City School District, and together, they have three children, Quinn (6), Ella (4), and Cara (1). Dr. White and his family are very much looking forward to becoming a part of the Platte County community.
Ashley Jones will serve as the District’s Executive Director of Human Resources starting with the 2023-24 school year. Mrs. Jones brings nearly 10 years of leadership experience in the area of human resources, currently serving as the Director of Talent Acquisition for Metropolitan Community College, and previously serving as the Director of Human Resources in the Smithville, Joplin, and Carthage R-9 school districts. Ashley also worked eight years at the Public School and Education Employees Retirement System of Missouri. She earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from William Woods University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Central Missouri, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri. She is certified as a human resources professional by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP) and HR Certification Institute, Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Ashley and her family reside in Kansas City, Missouri. She shares, “I am honored for the opportunity to partner with all stakeholders to continuously improve and to develop and implement effective and innovative Human Resources strategies to support the District's current and future needs. Go Pirates!”
Mindy Wheeler will serve as the assistant principal of Barry Elementary starting with the 2023-24 school year when the school is converted to the District’s fourth K-5 elementary school. Mrs. Wheeler is in her 12th year in education and 4th in the Platte County School District. Previously she has worked as a middle school teacher, K-8 instructional coach, and is currently serving as Pathfinder’s Instructional Coach. She received a Bachelors of Science in Political Science from Truman State University, Masters in the Art of Teaching from the University of Central Missouri, and her education specialist degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. She is currently working on her dissertation with plans to graduate with her doctorate in educational leadership from William Woods University this spring. Mrs. Wheeler’s mission is to support the growth of all learners through visionary leadership, collaboration, and a fearless pursuit of excellence. She describes herself as a life-long learner and hopes to share that passion with students and staff. She is most proud of the curriculum development work she has done with the District, as well as the creation of the instructional coaching program. Mrs. Wheeler lives in Kansas City with her two boys, Tave and Everett, and husband, James. She shares, “I am excited to grow within the Platte County School District, and I look forward to working with students, staff, and families in a new capacity!”
Kacie Ambrose will serve as the principal of Barry Elementary starting with the 2023-24 school year when the school is converted to the District’s fourth K-5 elementary school. Mrs. Ambrose has 18 years in education as an elementary teacher, director of early childhood, elementary and middle school assistant principal, and most recently as principal at Lewis Elementary in the Excelsior Springs School District. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from Columbia College, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Graceland University, her master’s degree in school administration from the University of Central Missouri, and her education specialist degree from William Woods University.
Mrs. Ambrose is a life-long learner and prides herself in serving as an instructional leader for her building team and partnering with students and families to build positive relationships necessary for student success. Kacie resides in the Platte County School District with her husband and children. She has a daughter who attends Barry School, a son and step-son who both attend Platte County High School, loves the beach and spending time with her family and friends. She also thoroughly enjoys a competitive game of 4-square with her kids! Mrs. Ambrose is excited to start this new chapter as a Platte County Pirate and looks forward to meeting the students and families of Barry Elementary!