“Are there any new teachers at Mt. Vernon this year?” students may ask. Yes, there are always new teachers coming into Mt. Vernon, but there is one in particular who some teachers have already said will have a good impact on students. 

This teacher is the new Special Education teacher, Mrs. Verlisha Rinehart.

          Mrs. Rinehart was born in Berkeley, California,” I  lived my young childhood in big cities until I came to Mt. Vernon, Illinois at the age of ten,” said Mrs.  Rinehart.

                  Her mother married a man who wanted to live here in Mt. Vernon with relatives. She lived here until she went to college. 

                 She remained in Bloomington, Illinois, longing to return home, but she did not think she could afford to leave and go back to Mt. Vernon.

          She actually graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School in 1989, then went on to Illinois State University, which she had found through her speech and acting coach, Mr. Eric Ewan. 

She went to Illinois State and earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Mrs. Rinehart’s inspiration for this career came from a special education teacher named Mrs. Rose, who at one time worked at Casey Middle School. 

She was also her homeroom teacher at Casey. 

She once worked with a student by the name of Scotty at Hall Elementary, and at that time she learned this was a career she could truly enjoy. 

          Now that she has returned  her old high school, Mrs. Rinehart has stated that she loves being home. 

“ I love the colors, the football, and the community. I love seeing the offspring of the colleagues I went to school with.” said Mrs. Rinehart. 

She enjoys seeing the deer in the park and the smell of the water. 

She enjoys the fact that Dr. Fatheree made coming home easy for her. “ Once a Ram…always a Ram,” she added.

          But even though being home is fun and comforting, Mrs. Rinehart, like any teacher, also has challenges and struggles. 

In her eyes, the biggest challenge of being a Special Education teacher is trying to get their students to believe that the best place for them is where they are. 

          She believes this town is a “ motto town”, and she genuinely teaches and believes in our school’s mission statement,” We are an opportunity based community empowering students to pursue pathways to success through this school and life beyond graduation,” MV Mission Statement. 

          Mrs. Rinehart believes that our school can prepare you for the life of a lifetime right here in the King City.

          Now we focus on some of the rewards of being a Special Education teacher, Graduations. Mrs. Rinehart says that graduations are her favorite rewards as a Special Ed. teacher, she becomes the biggest cheerleader, “ I love when a student can toss the hat on Friday and join the workforce on Monday,” said Verlisha Rinehart, Special Education.

Mrs. Rinehart’s coming home is like a big class reunion, most of her colleagues are people she graduated high school with, and even if she doesn’t know them, she remembers the family names and their relatives.

           “ I think people describe me as I was when I was here”, said Mrs. Rinehart. She knows people who knew her still think of her as how she was in high school, she grew up sanctified religious from the south end of town and that is how she still is now. 

          “ Mrs. Rinehart is kind. I love her sense of fashion. Mrs. Rinehart has a good sense of humor, and she has made me laugh several times,” said Sarah Haile, Special Education. Mrs. Rinehart has a heart for learning and her students. 

Other teachers like Sarah Haile, Special Education have said that along with her humor she will be able to connect with her students and support them each day. 

           “She’s the kind of teacher who makes you see the opportunities hiding in your own backyard and gives you the confidence to chase them,” Megan Clodi, Special Education Coordinator.

          “ I am still getting to know Mrs. Rinehart. From what I know so far, she is compassionate, genuine, and has high standards for her students”, said Julie Littlefair, curriculum director.

 Even non-special education workers still see the light Mrs. Rinehart is bringing to her students and the school.

          Mrs. Rinehart is a true Ram, and a true Mt. Vernon lover. A motto she uses is,” There is a King in you. We are from the King City. There is a King in you.”

          As a special Education teacher, Mrs. Rinehart only has two periods of free time, which are her fourth and sixth hour periods. She uses both, not just for lunch, but for planning, scheduling, meetings, etc.

          Mrs. Rinehart loves and cares for her students, she wants nothing but the best for them, she firmly believes Mount Vernon Township High School is where they can achieve the best. Sometimes staff and students don’t always understand Special Education students and staff members, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn or help encourage them.

           “ Always encourage them to take advantage of every opportunity that is given to them”, said Verlisha Rinehart. 

Mrs Rinehart is a kind, humorous, caring teacher. 

She is a Mt. Vernon lover, and she is a true RAM who wants nothing but the absolute best for her students, and wants to see them succeed in life and here at Mt. Vernon.