For 14 years, Richele Falloon has enjoyed a successful education career, working in three different school districts and earning two degrees.

Now, she will carry that experience to the Wellsville-Middletown R-I School District, where she will be the new superintendent for the 2023-24 school year, effective July 1.

Falloon will replace Dr. Erin Oligschlaeger, who accepted an assistant superintendent job at the Moberly School District. Oligschlaeger worked as W-M superintendent for three years.

“I am very excited about my first superintendent job,” Falloon said. “In working in education and being mentored by many great administrators and superintendents, working in a central office became a dream of mine, which was why I pursued my specialist (degree) in curriculum, instruction and administration a few years back.”

Falloon joins the W-M administration staff after working at the Montgomery County R-II School District for the last nine years. She was the high school’s assistant principal for the last two years.

“I am very thankful and grateful for the past nine years that I have been able to serve in the Montgomery County R-II School District,” Falloon said. “The opportunity to learn and grow from the MC R-II staff, administration, students and community during my time here is invaluable.”

A Clarksville native and a 2003 Clopton High School graduate, Falloon received a Bachelor’s degree in business administration at Hannibal-LaGrange University, becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college.

“When I graduated from high school, I wanted to pursue a business degree,” Falloon said. “I wanted to go into accounting. I went to Western Illinois and played college softball. I enjoyed the accounting part of it. Then, I ended up moving closer to home and going to Hannibal-LaGrange. I had the opportunity to play softball and basketball while pursuing my business and administration degree with an emphasis in finance.”

After working in the banking industry for several years, Falloon went back to school and earned a Master’s degree in education at Missouri Baptist University. She later earned an educational specialist degree in administration, curriculum and instruction from William Woods University.

Falloon said the best part of being in the education field is building strong relationships with students.

“I love working in education,” Falloon said. “I love working with students. I love working with staff. I’m in education because of the kids. I’m trying to be able to help them meet their goals and help prepare them to be successful for life after high school. I really want to get to know them and help develop them. The overall goal is trying to meet their student achievement needs academically, emotionally and socially.”

Falloon worked at Bowling Green for a year and at Clopton for four before being hired as business teacher at Montgomery County High School in 2014, giving her an opportunity to join her husband, Adam, on the faculty staff. Adam is currently the R-II activities director.

“Adam and I talked and we felt that would be maybe what is best for our family instead of being separate ways,” Falloon said. “We ended up making that move and being here. We’re very family oriented. He has a big family, so it was nice to be here and be all in one place together on the same schedule.”

Two years ago, Falloon became MCHS’ assistant principal, which was her first administrative job. This fall, she will be leading a W-M district that has three schools – elementary, junior high and high school.

“We are happy to have Mrs. Falloon come aboard, and we look forward to working with her to continue the great things that are happening at Wellsville-Middletown R-I,” W-M R-I Board President Christine Rutherford said in a statement. “We are expecting a smooth transition into the new school year.”