Hi I am LeeAnn Tarpley, teacher at Merkel High School. I am the FCS/Career Prep teacher and FCCLA Advisor. FCS stands for Family and Consumer Science. FCS is our new name. We used to be Home Economics or Homemaking. With the name changed the curriculem has also changed. I teach a diversity of skills needed in everyday life from child care and development, to how to use a credit card, to communication skills. Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is the student organization devoted to leadership skills that pertain to the family.

Career Prep classes are the students that have a job plus go to school. The class is also called the work program. We talk about work problems and how to be an effective, productive employee.

I have taught in the Merkel ISD for 27 years (17 years in Kindergarten, 7 years as Dyslexia Coordinator and teacher for the District now in high school). I have enjoyed each teaching assignment but now I LOVE MY JOB!!! This is my dream job because, I love getting to know the students and watching them grow into young adults.