Administrators 

Samuel Simmons, Sr. is a native of Kansas City, KS.  The 2022-23 school year will be his 15th year in education.  Mr. Simmons brings a variety of experience tot he Park Hill South Team.  He has previously served as a District Athletics Director, middle and high school assistant principal, District Curriculum & Instruction Coach, as well as a Speech Communication and Computer Applications teacher.

Mr. Simmons will also serve as the Athletics/Activities Director and looks forward to providing PHS scholars with interscholastic opportunities that are an extenstion on and enhances their educational experience.

Education:

• Undergraduate – Northwestern University
• BS in Secondary Education – Physical Education and Health
• Master's - Pittsburg State University - Secondary Teaching
• Building Prinicipal Endlorsement - Fort Hays State University

Duties:

• Athletic and Activities Administration
• Assemblies
• Booster Organizations
• NCAA Forms
• Cheerleading
• Clubs
• Dance Team
• Field Trips
• Fields/Facilities
• Fundraising
• Music, T-Shirt and Flyer Approvals
• Special Olympics Support & Recognition
• Social Media (FB, Instagram, Twitter, Website)
• Trusted Adult

Dr. Elizabeth Esco is originally from Oswego, IL. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a BS in Biology. After graduation, she moved to Kansas City to work on her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her first job in education was at Shawnee Mission East High School teaching biology. Then she moved to Olathe to teach biology at Olathe North High School.  During her first administration position at Santa Fe Trail Middle School, she graduated from Baker with her doctorate in Education Leadership. When not at school she is traveling, hiking, cooking, or eating at KC restaurants.

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. Albert Einstein

Duties:

• AP and Dual Credit
• Core Data
• Course Description Handbook
• ELD
• Enrollment
• Master Schedule
• NCAPs
• NCC
• Staff Awards
• SPED - CWC & Topics Operations Support & Support, Professional Development, MTSS
• Student Support Team (504, A+, Counseling, MTSS, Social Workers)
• Student Teachers
• Study Skills Adult
   

Kristian Foster is a native to the Kansas City area and is entering her 21st year in education.  The 2022-2023 school year is Ms. Foster's 12th year in secondary administration.  She brings a variety of experience to Park Hill South including working in both college preparatory and alternative schools, teaching Social Studies courses at the high school and college levels, and working for the IB organization as an examiner.  Ms. Foster has two children and will be completing her PhD in Educational Leadership and Public Policy this year.  She very much looks forward to working with students and staff at PHS!

Education

• M.S.Ed. - Emporia State University, Education Administration
• M.A. - University of Missouri-Kansas City, Sociology
• B.A. - University of Missouri-Kansas City, History

Administrative Duties:

• Bells, Schedule and Schedule Changes
• Buses
• Common Area Supervision & Lunch
• Crisis Response & Safety Drills
• Discipline & Attendance (H-O)
• Lunch Scheduling & Supervision
• Online Learning Lab
• PLTW Site Coordinator
• Registration
• Security & Campus Supervisor (ISS)
• SPED
• Student Handbook
• Student Lunch Chats
• Substitutes
• Tardy Tables
• Testing Logistics

Mrs. Diane Markley is a Kansas City native and has enjoyed living in Kansas City for most of her life. Mrs. Markley first earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree at Missouri State University in combination with a minor in mathematics. Following graduation, she started substitute teaching for the Springfield Public Schools, and she continued to do so throughout the completion of her Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting in May 2011. From there, Mrs. Markley started her full-time teaching career with the Park Hill School District in August 2011, and she served as the orchestra director for both Park Hill South and Lakeview Middle School during that time. In August 2018, Mrs. Markley enrolled in a second master’s program at Baker University, and she completed her Master of Science in School Leadership degree in June 2020. Upon completing her program, she accepted the position of interim assistant principal for the 2020-2021 school year.

Duties:

• ACT Workshops & Support
• CCR
• Discipline & Attendance (A-G)
• MTSS (Academics - ELOs)
• New Student Tours
• Nurses
• Orientation - New Students
• PBIS
• Student IDs
• Student Sense of Belonging Committe (2nd Day Schedule, FANS, Panther Mentors)
• Surveys & Analysis
• Summer School Setup
• Tutorial logisitics and calendar

Mr. Melvin Walker is originally from St. Louis, Mo. He  graduated from Southwest Missouri State with a bachelor's degree in physical education. After graduation, Mr. Walker started teaching and coaching at Central High School in Springfield. Mo. He received his master's degree in education from Drury College while teaching at Central High.

Mr. Walker moved to Kansas City in 1999 and began teaching and coaching at Park Hill South High School. In 2007 he received his Educational Specialist in Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Mr. Walker has two kids, Mj and LaTavia. When he’s not working, he likes spending time with his family and traveling.  

Duties:

• AVID Site Coordinator
• Discipline & Attendance (P-Z)
• Front Office Team
• Fines
• Homebound
• Keys
• Library
• National Honor Society
• Open House & Course Fair
• Parking & Parking Lot
• Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Residency
• Staff Diversity, Equity Inclusion, Belonging (DEIB)