Mr. Richards

Dennis Richards brings decades of experience in education, speech, theater, and the performing arts to The Yutzy School. A Kansas native, Mr. Richards attended Garden City Community College on a Debate and Forensics Scholarship before continuing his education at Kansas State University, where he earned degrees in English Education and Speech.

 

Throughout his career, Mr. Richards has taught English, speech, debate, journalism, and theater at both the high school and college levels. His teaching career has included Prairie View High School, Anderson County High School, Neosho County Community College, and even Union School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He has also been actively involved in community theater productions for more than 30 years.

 

What excites Mr. Richards most about joining The Yutzy School is its philosophy, vision, and unique approach to education. He especially enjoys watching students “grow and come alive as they gain knowledge.”

Mr. Richards and his wife have been married for more than 50 years and have two daughters and two grandsons. Their Christian faith has taken them around the world in service, including two years living and teaching in Haiti as well as mission trips to Kenya, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

 

Outside the classroom, Mr. Richards enjoys reading—especially history and stories of the Old West—and participating in local community theater. He is also a longtime Kansas State and Kansas City Chiefs fan. One of his favorite passages of Scripture is 1 Corinthians 12, with its beautiful picture of many different members working together as one body.

Mr. Richards is excited to bring his experience, creativity, and love of theater to TYS, helping students discover new abilities, build confidence, and experience the wonder of bringing stories to life on stage.