Anita Campbell
County Reporter
Former North School teacher Raini (Friend) Ward was hired to fill the position of Warsaw North Elementary Principal at the January 18 meeting of the Warsaw R-9 Board of Education. Ward’s first official day will be August 1, 2023.
Ward is currently the K-12 Principal for the Climax Springs School District. In August 2021, she moved to Climax Springs School District where she served as Special Education Director and Assistant Principal. A 2010 graduated of Warsaw High School, Ward started her education career as a special education paraprofessional at Ruth Mercer Elementary while she finished her degree online and at night. She taught four years as North School special education teacher for K-5, and then she taught for three years as North School third grade teacher.
Ward received her Associate’s Degree in Human Services and Counseling from Columbia College in 2012. Next, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Central Methodist University in 2014. She completed her Masters in School Administration from William Woods University in December 2018. She is currently working on her Specialist in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Missouri.
“I am anxious to build relationships with the staff at North,” said Ward. “I want to keep people happy so we can have stability with teachers who love teaching and students who love learning.”
Ward and her husband John, have two daughters, Kendall, 7, and Rory, 4. They enjoy spending time together, reading, being outdoors, and traveling.
“I’m very excited to move back to the North School and the Warsaw community. As well as to be a part of the amazing, positive direction the Warsaw School District is moving in. I’m excited to serve the North staff, families and students,” said Ward. “I feel very blessed and humbled to have this opportunity to come home and work with the people in this community.”
“I am thrilled to have Mrs. Ward join our team at the Warsaw School District. She is an example of tradition, pride, and excellence. She wants our school district to be the very best. She is ready to focus on our mission and vision of our CSIP.” said Warsaw R-9 Superintendent Scott Gemes.
