Dear Elementary teacher Tricia Slade of Richmond will be teaching first grade and coaching softball as an assistant coach for the Lady Spartans. “I am so excited to be at Dear Elementary. I was born and raised in Richmond and a graduate of the class of 1998. Once a Spartan, always a Spartan,” she said. “I love teaching in the same building that I went to elementary school in and my class was the first class to go to Kindergarten in Dear.” Slade went to Metropolitan Community College –in the Maple Woods area and played softball there as well. Richmond High School teacher Michael Lee of Kearney will be teaching freshman physical science. “I’m most excited about getting to know the students, parents, staff and wonderful community that makes Richmond High School so great,” he said. He received his bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. Hardin teacher Tommy Burton will be teaching middle and high school English - language arts. He is most excited about…