Sedalia School Teacher Fatally Injured in a Vehicle Crash This Monday Morning

Sedalia 200 mourns passing of teacher Steven Gooch

Steven Gooch, a social studies teacher at Smith-Cotton High School, died Monday (March 9) as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident on South U.S. 65 Highway earlier in the day.

Gooch, 48, was an 18-year veteran teacher. He and his wife, Terri, a teacher at Knob Noster Elementary School, have three children, Sarah, 21; Josh, 18, a senior at S-C, and Hannah, 16, a S-C sophomore.

Superintendent Brad Pollitt said, “Steve Gooch was a dedicated teacher who will be missed by the entire Sedalia 200 community. Our prayers and condolences go out to Terri, their children and the extended family. This is truly a sad day for our area’s education community.”

District counselors were available at the high school Monday afternoon to aid grieving students and staff members. In addition, the community celebration for the Jennie Jaynes Activity Complex, scheduled for Monday evening, has been postponed.

Gooch earned his bachelor of science degree in education (social studies, secondary education) in 1991 from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. Gooch frequently worked the admission gate for S-C athletic events.

Please join us in keeping the Gooch family in your thoughts an prayers.