Russkin High School

Special Education Teacher/Special State Reading Certification

Grades K-12

Communication Arts, Science, Social Studies, Special Education

Rm. 131.

Academic Tutor - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Room 131, Dinner provided at 3:00 p.m.

Homebound Instructor

Special Olympics Coach

Contact Information

Email: maryann.sawyer@hickmanmills.org

816-316-7398

Health and Human Services House

Google Classroom Codes/Zoom Links available in the Google Classroom 

Sections - Resource Services

A Day

Block 1 Comm. Arts 1 Grade 9 

Block 2 Social Studies 9 &10

Block 4 Social Studies 10 & 11

B Day

Block 5 Science 9 & 10

Block 6 Science 11 & 12

 Block 7 Comm. Arts 1 A -Grade3 9

Block 1   7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Block 2   9:05 a.m. to 10:35 a.m.

Block 3   10:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.  House Plan/Lunch

Block 4   1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.   

B Day

Block 5   7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Block 6   9:05 a.m. to 10:35 p.m.

Block 7   10:40 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. First Lunch during this block.

Block 8   1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Content Plan

Communication Arts 1

This course focuses on English language content. This includes learning to read, write, and communicate at a high school level. We use Studysync and I Ready as our primary resources. We also use many district provided resources.

Social Studies 9 &10

This course focuses on grade level content materials within a resource setting.

We will encompass the areas of the American Government, Civics, Culture, Diversity, Maps, American History and World History. This year, our primary focus is on the American government. We use Discovery Education Textbook as a primary tool on this course. We use many district provided resources.  We supplement through Newsela, Flocabulary, and related apps.

Science 11 & 12

We focus on Biology,  Physical Science, and Earth Science. We learn grade level content materials within a resource setting.

We use the Discovery Education Textbook as a primary tool on this course. We supplement through Newsela, Flocabulary, and related apps.

We use many district provided resources.

Clever - Educational Sites are Available through Clever

District provided Resources are available on Clever.

These include Newsela, Flocabulary, Discovery Education, I Ready, Studysync, Khan Academy, Moby Max, Ed. Mentum, Quizzes, Kahoots, and more.

Use Clever to access EverFi, NearPod, EPIC, READWORKS, Newsela, FloVocabulary and related apps.

All students have access to coursework online. 

Plan Time: Years of teaching experience:
30 + years of experience, 17 years for the Hickman Mills School District, 10 years at Ruskin High School, 16 years in the KCMO District prior to my tenure in Hickmanmills School District.

Area of expertise
Special Education Teacher
Reading Specialist
Academic Interventionist/Academic Tutor
Tutoring in most areas, specializing in Communication Arts, Science and Math (Tuesdays and Thursdays, Room 131, Dinner provided)
Homebound Instructor
Participant in Sports Supervision

Educational background
Ed. Spec. Administration
MS. Special Ed. Reading State Cert. K-12
MS. Curriculum & Inst. Science Emphasis
BA. Elementary Education 1-8
Provisionals: H.S. Science, H.S. Biology, H.S. Earth Science, M.S. Math 5-9
Apple Teacher Certified 

Why I Chose Education as My Career of Choice
I believe that students are our future.  Educators play a key role in the quality of life for our community.  I chose to be an educator to help others attain their personal, educational, and career goals.  I love to help children learn, trying to meet them where they are at, then move the students forward from there. I am excited about working with students in teaching the subjects of Communication Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Study Skills, Transition, and Advocacy. I am pleased that I am able to use my years of experience as a veteran teacher in this amazing journey, 2021-22.

Personal Interests

For hobbies, I have taken up drawing (art), and playing the acoustic guitar in my free time.
Additionally, I volunteer with several community organizations.  Most recently, I joined the Special Olympics Team as an assistant coach. I have many organizations that I associate with during my free time. I volunteer for Kauffman Performing Arts Center, doing various community service positions.  I have attained my 1,000 hour milestone. making me a Royal Volunteer. In this volunteer role, I have been active in participating in the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera, Theatre League and other amazing organizations. I have been a volunteer at Starlight for over ten years. I receive Community Tickets and parking passes. I distribute these among my colleagues, students, and their families. My passion is with conservation work, at Lakeside Nature Center, where I have done native Missouri animal rehabilitation, educational programs, and worked with the Missouri Stream Team for over twenty years. For ten years, I have been an active volunteer at Starlight Theatre.  I  volunteer for Stonelion Puppet Theatre for community events.  During the last nine years,I have been a member of the Nelson Art Gallery. This summer, I joined the World War 1 Museum as a member and educator of history. I am currently active in each of these groups.  In the summer months, for the last twelve years, I helped out at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City during the summer months as an academic teacher.  I tutor during the school year, and assist with the school sport’s program. I attend the majority of after-school activities at Ruskin High School, including Band, Orchestra, Theatre, Sports, Tutoring....Hope to see you there!!!

 It's always a great day to be an Eagle!!!