Kathy Rountree remembered

The following remembrance of Franklin Tech teacher Kathy Rountree, who was killed Saturday during the tornado, was posted today on the Joplin R-8 School District website:

A Franklin Technology Center instructor who was killed on Saturday is being remembered by Joplin students and staff members as a beloved and dedicated teacher. Graphic Arts Instructor Kathy Rountree and several family members lost their lives in the May 10th tornadoes.

"We are all deeply saddened by this terrible loss," said Superintendent Dr. Jim Simpson. "Kathy was a wonderful person and a committed instructor. Our hearts go out to this family and to everyone whose lives were impacted by these destructive storms."

Rountree had been with the district for over 12 years. She began working at Franklin Technology Center as an adult education instructor and as an assistant in the Graphic Arts department in 1995. She became the full-time FTC Graphic Arts Instructor in 1998.

"Kathy was always an upbeat person," said FTC Director Dave Rockers. "I never saw her mad, even when under stress from projects that were due. She spent endless hours in the Graphic Arts lab, day and evening, working on projects that could not all be completed during class time."

Rountree was committed to keeping the FTC Graphic Arts program up-to-date with industry trends and was always on the lookout for new equipment and tools that would help her students succeed. She also served as an advisor for the SkillsUSA student organization and was excited about one of her students qualifying for this year's upcoming national SkillsUSA competition.

"The staff and students at FTC mourn the loss of Kathy and her family," said Rockers. "She will be missed but remembered with great fondness from all whom she touched by being in our lives."