ESSEX - Teachers, staff and administrators are busy this week preparing for the arrival of students and the start of the 2011-2011 school year on Thursday.

Seven new teachers and administrators have joined the Richland team for the new school year. They include:

 Frank Killian, superintendent; 1993 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University;

 Stephanie DePew, physical education teacher, assistant volleyball and softball coach; 2005 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University;

 Lisa Gerlach, high school science teacher, 2010 graduate of Truman State University;

 Elana Ison, K-12 Counselor; 2012 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University;

 Hayley Jennings, business teacher, 2004 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University;

 David Reynolds, boys physical education and boys basketball coach, 2010 graduate of Williams Baptist College;

 Kayelean Vance, high school special service; 1993 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University;

 Carrie Wyman, second grade teacher, 1997 graduate of the University of Missouri.

School bells will ring for Richland students this Thursday, Aug. 11 with a full day of classes beginning at 8 a.m. Buses will run the first day of school.

Photo above: New teachers being welcomed at Richland Schools include (seated, from left) Stephanie DePew, Lisa Gerlach, Haley Jennings, Kalelean Vance, Carrie Wyman; (standing, from left) Frank Killiam, Elana Ison, David Williams. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)