When the school year ends, veteran Warsaw High School instructor Amy Spunaugle will walk out of her math classroom for the last time to pursue other interests.
“I have mixed emotions because I love my students and I think I have had the best job in the world, but I am ready to try something new and I want to spend more time with my grandchildren,” said Spunaugle.
Spunaugle graduated from Truman High School in Independence in 1990 then attended Northwest Missouri State University where she finished her degree in 1994. She met her husband, Marc while she was a student and they were married then moved to Iowa.
Her first teaching job was in Clarinda, Iowa where she taught math and coached volleyball and basketball for five years.
The Spunaugle's then moved to Warrensburg for two years while Marc finished up his degree at CMSU while Amy taught math and sponsored Student Council at Warrensburg High School.
Her next assignment was at Maysville High School where she taught math and coached basketball for three years.
The next move was to Warsaw High School where Spunaugle taught math and worked as the A+ coordinator. She also has sponsored the junior class, supervised junior/senior prom, student council and math club.
“When we took the jobs at Warsaw, I told Marc I was through moving around from district to district, and while he switched districts, I stayed at WHS because I loved it,” said Spunaugle.
Warsaw R-9 Superintendent Scott Gemes worked with Spunaugle for several years.
“I got the opportunity to work with Amy as a fellow math teacher when she first came to Warsaw. My son got the opportunity to be in her class for three years.
Amy is a great math teacher and does a fantastic job, but the biggest contribution has been her passion and care for every student at Warsaw. Saying that she will be missed is an understatement. She has definitely left her mark at Warsaw High School, and she has touched many lives here as well,” said Gemes.
Spunaugle has also had a special connection with her fellow teachers.
“For my entire career at WHS, Amy has always been someone I admire greatly as a teacher and as a colleague. She really cares deeply about the success of her students and of our school in general. Her content knowledge is excellent, but she didn't just teach the content, she taught the whole student. She always keeps a positive attitude no matter the circumstances or frustration of the day. She will be so dearly missed,” said WHS English/Journalism teacher Amanda Adler.
Spunaugle said that her students were what she would miss the most about teaching.
“Mrs. Spunaugle was one of the most caring and loving teachers I have ever had,” said WHS senior Drake Murrell! “She always knows how and when to make school a little more fun and enjoyable.”
The Spunaugles are the parents of three children: Allison, 28, an ER doctor in Columbia; Connor, 26, a business teacher, football and baseball coach in Lincoln; and Callie Jo, 22, a senior agriculture business major at Northwest Missouri State University.
They are also grandparents of two, Calvin and Josie. Spunaugle plans to spend more time with them.
“Cole has done a great job with the kids while Allison has been busy with residency, but now I am willing and able to take them to give him some free time,” said Spunaugle.
The Spunaugles have been living in Versailles while Marc worked as the superintendent there, however, they are planning to move back to Warsaw after they both retire.
“Warsaw is home and this is central to all of our children,” said Spunaugle. “I love this town and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
