Today we’d like to introduce you to Mylissa Russell.
Hi Mylissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from Baker University in 1989 with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught 4th grade for nine years before opening River Hills Academy, now in its 28th year. I opened my own preschool because I couldn’t find a good preschool for my daughter while I was at work teaching. I opened River Hills Academy in 1999 when my daughter was 3 and my son was eight months old. We built a new house and included a preschool in the plans. 27 of the 28 years have been here. Our classroom is self contained with its own bathroom, kitchen area, and even a playhouse. The entire upstairs is “school” with a Lego Room and a Space Room. We built an enchanted forest in part of the back yard.
I planned to go back to public school when my children were also in public school, but ended up homeschooling the first group of kids for many years. My daughter didn’t start public school until 6th grade (Park Hill skipped her ahead one grade), and my son started public school in 2nd grade. At that point (2005) I was fully committed to our school and our mission and started over with the preschool age, where I remain. My son is now 27 and my daughter 30. My son, Miller, is a firefighter with SPFPD, and it’s quite overwhelming for me emotionally when we have our yearly visit seeing him as one of the firefighters instead of one of the kids. Many years of pictures with SPFPD with him as a child standing with the firefighters, and now he is the firefighter in those pictures. My daughter works in threat intelligence for Microsoft. She substitutes often. I opened the school for them, but I continue because I love it.
I love the children with all my heart. I love teaching them, watching them grow, and building relationships with them. Every day is fun, and I look forward to every second with them. I now have two children enrolled whose mom went to school here. Several of my children’s friends have their children here, and soon my grandchild will enroll. It’s very special to be able to have this time with a new generation. I will turn 60 years old this year, but I will probably never retire.
River Hills Academy is recognized by the state of Missouri as a private school. I use thematic learning, and we have a lot of fun with our themes. It’s a great way to incorporate a lot of learning in a fun way. My entire philosophy is making school fun. I believe it’s the basis of their entire education. If learning is fun, you want to learn and you want to go to school. This is the foundation of everything we do. No matter what we do I try to create synapsis and develop their brain, but they just think we’re having fun. Our favorite time of the day is Creative Movement. They are so cute as they jump, dance and sing! But what they’re really doing is learning pattern recognition, repetition, getting exercise, and developing the same part of their brain used for math. Many songs incorporate lessons, facts, or information related to our theme. This is the basis of everything we do. Have fun while developing our brains! But I just tell them the having fun part! My deepest desire is to give them a love for learning. Every year of their education will be successful if that is the foundation.
Currently I enroll 2-6 year olds, with siblings visiting and returning in the summer. I have a pretty big waiting list because I don’t enroll very many anymore. Siblings, friends and family are automatic, so there’s rarely an open spot anymore with almost three decades behind us (and almost four decades of teaching in total).
Most kids come three days a week. Most days there are four-six kids here at a time. It’s a smaller class than year’s past as I’m getting older. It’s takes longer to get off the floor, bending over a lot of the day is taking it’s toll, and on and on.. But I’ll keep adjusting as needed to make sure I can continue the school as long as possible. I absolutely love my “job” and I adore children. I can’t imagine my life without running up to the school each day, excited to see the kids!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Occasionally there is a difficult parent or child and I have to let them go. It’s heartbreaking, but I have to do what’s best for the school and the children as a whole. I try very hard to work with the family, but sometimes this just isn’t the best place for them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to teaching, I love art in all forms. I sing, sketch, and do photography. I do photography for The Landmark, was The Luminariette for the Parkville Luminary (no longer in existence), and had my photography featured in Parkville’s downtown art gallery when it was there. I also play piano and guitar. I have the best fan club – many days at quiet time I sing and play guitar or piano for the kids. Growing up I danced and sang with Crackerjack theater, and did many Theater in the Park shows.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Parkville: I love the small town feel. I love that everyone knows everyone. I love that we have so much family here. The thing I like least is. . .nothing. I love Parkville.
Kansas City: I love that KC is so cultural and that we’ve grown so much culturally. I remember when downtown was dark after 5:00. I love that it’s fun and there’s so much to do downtown now. I love the people of KC. I love our Chiefs and our Royals. The thing I like least is that we have so much crime.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MylissaRussell.wixsite.com/Mysite
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverHillsAcademy
