Ms. Jennifer Raymond couldn’t even wait until school began in order to meet her new students. She hosted a “Meet and Greet” to introduce herself to current and future speech and debate members during registration on August 5.

Raymond, the new high school speech and debate teacher and coach, replaces Mr. James Frazier who joined the English department as a full-time English teacher.

Raymond previously worked as a lawyer representing many different companies when they had to go to court before joining the high school as a staff member.

But this isn’t Raymond’s first time in a classroom. A while back, she taught writing at Washington University in St. Louis.

“I saw myself becoming a teacher because both of my parents were teachers.”

In the courtroom, the judge’s decision might not always go her way, but when working at Pattonville, she feels the verdict is already in her favor.

“Being a part of such a great community with great students, teachers and families is what I’m most excited about this year.”