The Tipton R-VI School District announced early this week the selection of its new director of special services, Sarah Hansen, who comes to the district from the Kennett public school system. She succeeds Nancy Thompson who is retiring.
The board met in closed session on Thursday, Jan. 23, to interview candidates and make its selection. The primary responsibility of the new director is to provide leadership for the district’s special education program, ensuring all students with special needs are provided a quality educational experience at Tipton R-VI.
Prior to meeting with the board, each candidate toured the facilities and interviewed with a teacher and parent panel and the district administration team. Teachers, parents and administrators provided feedback and impression to the board members. Serving on the interview panel were parents Jennifer Kohler, Amiee Thomas, Ashley Sarver and Dianna Singer and teachers Janeil Cliburn, Elizabeth Cotton and McGwire Dean.
Dr. Terry Robinson, superintendent, said following the interview process and feedback review, the board voted unanimously to offer the position to Hansen for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
Hansen has six years of experience as a special education teacher and five years as a special education director. She has been director at Kennett for five years.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in special education from Arkansas State University, and a specialist degree in administration from William Woods University. She plans to complete her doctorate in education from William Woods in 2025.
Robinson said she is fully certified as a special education teacher, an elementary teacher for grades 1-6, and a special education administrator for grades K-12.
“We are blessed to add a seasoned administrator and committed professional like Mrs. Hansen to our administrative team for Tipton kids,” said Robinson. “We were all very impressed by her communication skills, training and knowledge of special education and how she communicated her love for kids. We believe she will be an asset to our community.”
Hansen will begin her role in the district on Aug. 1, and will spend some time here in a transition role before then.
She shared that she will be relocating to Eldon from Hornersville this summer with her husband, two sons, ages 18 and 16, and their three dogs.
“We are taking on a new adventure and are excited to return to a familiar area,” she said. “I am excited to be accepted as the new director of special services for the Tipton R-VI School District for the 2025-26 school year. I am a 2007 Jefferson City High School graduate, and my passion for special education comes from my personal experience with my youngest child.”
Hansen shared that her husband is an avid car enthusiast and will explore a new business venture in classic car sales and restoration in the area.
Her oldest son will graduate in May from Kennett High School and her youngest will enter the district as a junior in the fall.
“We are excited to enter a wonderful community that takes pride in its students’ success,” Hansen said. “I look forward to working with the Tipton community and ensuring that all students receive the support they deserve to be successful.”
Hansen shared a quote from an unknown author, “The art of teaching special education is the art of assisting discovery while embracing uniqueness.”
