Pleasant Hill Elementary School
Principal's Message
I am so grateful and excited for the opportunity to begin my third year serving as your Elementary Principal in the Pleasant Hill School District, there’s no place I’d rather be!
My husband David and I call Pleasant Hill our home, we have been here for 26 years!! Our daughter Olivia and her husband Noah live in Texas, she is working her dream job as a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Our oldest son Dawson graduated with his Bachelor's Degree from Northwest Missouri State University, in 2023, he is living in Westport, working and living in the city enjoying Kansas City life! Our youngest son, Gage is going into 10th grade at the PHHS, he is so excited to be driving in October, even though I'm that worried parent when they hit the road! He is very busy with school, football, baseball, and Hillside Show Choir.
I graduated from the University of Central Missouri with my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, and completed my Masters in Administration, and Education Specialist degree in Superintendency from William Woods University. I have 17 years of teaching experience in the elementary classroom and 6 years as an administrator.
As a leader you can expect me to be…
-
Compassionate, positive and approachable.
-
Committed to a student centered learning environment.
-
A partner in your child’s education.
-
Dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships within our entire school family.
I am looking forward to another amazing year together, the Elementary is definitely my home!
Lori Burbee, Principal
I am so excited for another great year at PHES! This year I am beginning my fifteenth year in education. This will be my second year as an assistant principal, serving both PHES and PHIS. I received my undergraduate degree from Central Methodist University in Early Childhood Education. Later, I obtained my Master's in Administration from William Woods University. Most recently, I completed my Specialist in Educational Leadership from Missouri State University. My husband, Tom and I live in Odessa with our four children. Emma is starting college this year, Sadie will be an eighth grader, Fiona is a sixth grader, and Killian is a fourth grader this year. I love the Pleasant Hill community and I feel very blessed to serve the students and families in Pleasant Hill.
As a leader, you can expect me to be...
- Dedicated to a student centered school community.
- A kind and compassionate partner in your child's education.
- A positive person driven to create strong relationships that foster love, honesty, and collaboration.
- Approachable and community centered.
I am so excited for this year to start and to meet your wonderful kids!
Nikki McElwee- Assistant Principal