Hempen Fulfills Goal of Working in Smaller School District

​By: Griffin Anderson, Contributing Writer

Centralia High School has seen numerous personnel changes for the 2021-2022 school year. One of the new faces is Mrs. Amy Hempen, the new CHS Library Media Specialist. ​

 She also serves as the teacher for the Electronic Journalism class. Hempen, a native of nearby Hallsville, wanted to work in a smaller school district after spending the previous seven years working for Columbia Public Schools (CPS). 

“I enjoy reading and researching information on my own about subjects I am interested in.  I wanted to stay in education and thought aside from teaching Ag, this position sounded like something I would like.  It allows me to work in an area of education I enjoy and still get to ‘teach’ since I also have the Electronic Journalism class,” said Mrs. Hempen. 

After graduating from Hallsville High School in 2003, Hempen attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture Technology/Plant Science. Following graduation from UCM, Hempen worked for Extension at Lincoln University with the Native Plants and Community Gardening program for four years. 

She furthered her education by earning a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her first year with CPS, Hempen worked as an Instructional Aide at the Columbia Area Career Center (CACC). She spent the remaining six years as an Agricultural Education Teacher at CACC. 

“While I thoroughly enjoyed my seven years at CACC, I knew my goal was to work in a smaller school district, and this opportunity achieves that goal,” said Mrs. Hempen. 

Personally, Hempen continues to reside in her hometown with her husband Kevin and their three children: Claire, Josie, and Beau.