Dr. Randy Oliver
Principal
417-625-5230 ext. 3002

Dr. Randy Oliver comes to JHS from the West Platte, North Kansas City and Park Hill school districts in Missouri, and the Ottawa and Atchison school districts in Kansas. He also worked for Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled and in a part-time role with Community Access, a nonprofit organization that works with adults with developmental disabilities. Oliver was named Missouri Assistant Principal of the Year and was a finalist for the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ National Assistant Principal of the Year Award in 2022.

Dr. Oliver holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from William Jewell College, a master’s and specialist degrees in educational administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a doctorate in education from the University of Kansas.

Mark LaTurner
Assistant Principal –Seniors
417-625-5230 ext. 3027

Mr. LaTurner has served as a social studies teacher at Joplin High School for the last ten years, the last four as social studies department chair. 

Mr. LaTurner grew up in Galena, Kansas, and has been an educator for the last fourteen years. His career began at W.W Samuell High School in the Dallas Independent School District in Dallas, Texas, where he taught U.S and world history before moving back to the Joplin area to continue teaching and be closer to family.

In my time at JHS, I have developed great relationships with the teachers and staff and I am  excited to help serve the needs of our students here in a new capacity as assistant principal. I am absolutely thrilled and grateful to be continuing my career as a Joplin Eagle!

Mr. LaTurner earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Pittsburg State University and has completed his master’s degree in educational administration from Missouri State University.

John Seidel
Assistant Principal – Juniors
417-625-5230 ext. 3027

John Seidel joins the district from Glendale, Oregon. In his most recent work there, Seidel served as principal of Glendale High School. Prior to joining Glendale, John was an assistant principal at Lorna Byrne Middle School for the Three Rivers School District in Southern Oregon and was responsible for supporting the school in Positive Behavior Intervention Systems, instructional supervision, and restorative justice discipline. He was a member of the district contract bargaining team and equity, diversity and inclusion committee. He has also spent time as a middle school teacher and mathematics department head, and was recognized as teacher of the year in 2017. 

Originally from Rogers, Arkansas, Seidel earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education from Harding University; a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas; and an Educational Specialist in Educational Administration (Superintendency) from Arkansas State University. He is currently working toward a Doctoral degree. Previous to his time in education, Seidel earned an Associates in Fire Science Administration and Management.

Dustin Dixon
Assistant Principal – Sophomores
417-625-5230 ext. 3027

Dixon has been a Joplin Schools employee since 2010. His most recent position in the district was that of social studies teacher at Joplin High School. Starting in 2014, Dixon also served as the head coach for JHS Cross Country, as well as an assistant JHS Track & Field coach.  Additional responsibilities in Joplin Schools include World History content leader, Government content leader, and Social Studies Department co-chair. 

Dixon earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education Social Studies in 2010 followed by a Masters in Educational Administration in 2018, both from Missouri Southern State University.

Holly Yust
Assistant Principal –Freshmen
417-625-5230 ext. 3027

Ms. Yust joined the Joplin R-8 school district in 2013 teaching high school special education and business education.  She served as the department chair, FBLA advisor and Student Council sponsor.  Prior to beginning her career in education Mrs Yust spent 10 years as an operations manager at a local business in the Joplin area.  

Ms. Yust received her undergraduate degree from Missouri Southern State University in Business Administration.  She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master’s in Educational Administration degree both from Missouri State University.

Edward Raschen
Assistant Principal
417-625-5230 ext. 3027 

Mr. Raschen holds Bachelors of Art and History degrees from Southwestern College, followed by a
Masters of Liberal Arts and History plus a Masters of Science in School leadership, both from Baker University in Kansas. He holds an Educational Specialist degree for Advanced Studies in Leadership from Pittsburg State University and is currently working toward a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Kansas.

Mr. Raschen’s professional experience includes his most recent position as Assistant Principal at Unified School District #506 in Altamont, Kansas, where he previously also served as Athletic Director, teacher and had coaching duties for basketball, football and track. He previously worked as an educator and coach at Unified School District #445 in Coffeyville, Kansas, where he served on the Curriculum Development Team, the Building Leadership Team, and acted as Department Chair.

Matt Hiatt
Athletic Director
417-625-5230 ext. 3052

Mr. Hiatt is beginning his fourth year with Joplin Schools. Most recently, Mr. Hiatt was the Assistant Athletics Director for Joplin Schools. Previously, he served as athletic director and head teacher for Northeast High School, in Arma, Kansas. Mr. Hiatt has more than twelve years of experience teaching and coaching various sports including golf, football, baseball, and basketball. Mr. Hiatt graduated from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor of science degree in physical education and a minor in computing. He also earned his master's degree in Educational Leadership from PSU. Mr. Hiatt and his wife Ashley have a 2 daughters named Mia and Maesyn.

Kaci Dorton
Director - Franklin Technology Center
417-625-5260 ext. 3208 

Ms. Dorton began her educational career in 2006, teaching technology education at Joplin High School. In 2015, she started working at Franklin Technology Center as the Vocational Special Services Coordinator. Dorton has also coordinated Project Lead The Way programs at Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center. Ms. Dorton earned her bachelor's degree in technology education and master's degree in educational leadership, both from Pittsburg State University. She will complete her specialist degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University.

Dave Rockers
Business Manager
417-625-5260 ext. 3208 
417-659-4432 - MSSU Office (Tuesday - Thursday)

Mr. Rockers has been the Director at Franklin Technology Center since 2004. He began his career in education as a Marketing Education instructor and DECA Chapter Advisor at comprehensive high schools in Oklahoma and Kansas. He also served in that capacity at Franklin Technology Center in the early to mid 90's. Mr. Rockers has taught in an alternative high school and began his career in Career and Technical Education Administration in 1998 serving as Director and Associate Dean for Technical Education at Crowder College.

Mr. Rockers earned an Associate's Degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A & M majoring in Mid-Management and Marketing. He received his Bachelor's degree from Emporia State University in Business Education w/Marketing Education as his major. He received his Master's degree in Vocational Education and Secondary School Administration from Pittsburg State University.  He is a member of the Missouri Council of Career and Technical Administrators, the Association for Career and Technical Education, and the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Shelly Tarter
Alternative Administrator
417-680-5123

Shelly Tarter brings 25 years of rich experience in the  field of education. Starting as a dedicated 3rd/4th-grade teacher, she graduated with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University. However, her thirst for knowledge and passion for innovation led her to pursue further studies. Through the eMINTS PD4TS program she earned a Specialist in Educational Technology from the esteemed University of Missouri, equipping herself with the latest advancements in educational tools and methodologies. Moving to a new role at Joplin High School, she continued her transformative work as a 21st Century Learning Coach, nurturing a culture of innovation and collaboration among students and faculty alike. Building on this expertise, she obtained a Masters in Administration from MSSU, enhancing her leadership skills to drive educational excellence. She is currently serving at the Joplin Schools Virtual and Alternative Administrator.