Administrative Team

MS. BECKY THIESSEN
Associate Principal

Becky Thiessen joins the Shawnee Mission South team after serving as a Mathematics teacher at Wichita South High School, Ravenwood High School in Nashville, TN and Olathe Northwest High School. Ms. Thiessen received her BS in Secondary Education, Mathematics from Kansas State University, Her Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Educational Administration from Emporia State University.

Ms. Thiessen  serves as the associate principal for special education and CTE; she is also the administrator for students with the last names starting with A through G.

Dr. Jake Bauer
Associate Principal

Dr. Jake Bauer currently serves as an Associate Principal at Shawnee Mission South and is a proud graduate of Shawnee Mission School District.  Prior to his role at South, Dr. Bauer served as an Associate Principal and Athletic Director at Trailridge Middle School, the Instructional Coach at Westridge Middle School, and a Mathematics Teacher at Shawnee Mission West.  Dr. Bauer previously worked closely with the Kansas Department of Education as a Mathematics Education Trainer where he helped create and present on teaching mathematics.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, a Masters degree in Curriculum and Teaching, and a Doctorate degree in Education Leadership and Policy.  Dr. Bauer is excited to serve the South community, students and teachers to help all students learn and achieve their life goals.

Dr. BEN RICHARDSON
Associate Principal

Ben Richardson joins the Shawnee Mission South team after serving this past year as the interim Principal at East High School in the Kansas City Public School District.  Before becoming the interim principal there, he was one of the school's Assistant Principals for five years. Prior to becoming an administrator, Dr. Richardson was a Government and AP teacher, Social Studies Department Chair, and Varsity Soccer Coach at East High School.

Dr. Richardson earned his Bachelor's degree from Milligan University in Tennessee and both his Master's of Science in Education and his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Kansas.  

Dr. Richardson will serve as the associate principal for Special Education and World Language.  He will also be the administrator for students with the last name starting with H through O.

Mr. Mark Mahoney
Athletic Director

Mark Mahoney joins the Shawnee Mission South Raider family after serving as a Physical Education teacher and Department Chair at Olathe Northwest.  Mr. Mahoney also served as the ONW Head Softball Coach, Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Basketball Coach. Mark received his education at Fort Hays State University, where he earned his Bachelor's in Healthy/Physical Education and his Masters in Educational Leadership.  He also earned his Master's Degree in Health Science from the University of Alabama.

Mark serves as the Athletic Director at Shawnee Mission South.