It didn’t take long for Shaylee Welch (Oldham) '18, MS-SAL '25, to realize that her decision to attend Midland University would become a life-altering moment.

“From the moment I stepped on Midland’s campus for my visit, I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort and belonging. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was where I was meant to be. It immediately felt like home.”

A native of Benton, Missouri, Shaylee is back in the Kansas City area, serving as physical education and health teacher, as well as being athletic director and soccer coach at Central Middle School in Kansas City.

Although she has returned home to continue her teaching and coaching career, Shaylee was ready for a change when she exited high school.

“At the time, I knew I needed a change and wanted to step outside of Kansas City, challenge myself, and grow into who I was meant to be. I was looking not just for a school, but for a place where I could discover myself both personally and professionally. I became interested in Midland after a phone call from the soccer coach. That was a moment that truly changed my life.”

Her initial plans to become an athletic trainer soon morphed into becoming a teacher and coach, something she said was made possible by Mark Snow, former Dean of the School of Health Performance. 

“Teaching and mentoring had always been a core part of who I was, and I knew I couldn’t imagine my future without that connection. After sharing those thoughts with Professor Snow, he took the time to listen and truly understand my goals. His belief in me affirmed that I was exactly where I belonged and reassured me that Midland was a place that supported my passions and growth.”

Shaylee also received classroom, and life, lessons from former professor and women’s basketball coach Joanne Bracker. “Some of my most meaningful memories come from afternoons spent at Mrs. Bracker’s house, studying for finals. Although she was a professor in the Physical Education department, she taught us so much more than course content. She invested in us as people, supported us beyond the classroom, and always treated us as if we were her own. Those moments shaped not only the educator I wanted to become, but also the person I continue to grow into today.”

She has carried many of those same traits into her own teaching, coaching, and administrative career. “Midland taught me invaluable skills in time management and how to prioritize tasks effectively. Those lessons continue to guide me today and are the reason I am able to successfully balance the many roles I hold.”

Shaylee would eventually earn her Master’s Degree in Sports Administration and Leadership from Midland in 2025. Her accolades include being named Teacher of the Year in 2026, but she is most proud of the students she has helped put on a course to become successful in their own lives. “My proudest moments as an educator have come from watching some of my most challenging students grow, persevere, and eventually walk across the stage at graduation. Those moments are made even more meaningful by the letters, notes, and pieces of artwork I have received from former students, with messages sharing how I impacted their lives and helped shape their futures.”

Midland helped shape her personal life as well as she met her future husband, Dakota, ’15, while here. The couple now has two daughters, four-year old Alayna and one-year old Aleiyah. Dakota serves as a member of the SWAT team in Kansas City.