The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is excited to announce a $50 million investment in growing Missouri’s teacher workforce. Because teachers are the biggest school-based factor in student success and the single most influential component of an effective school, this significant investment, available to DESE through federal COVID-19 relief funds, provides an immediate way for local school leaders to improve the learning opportunities provided to students across the state.

The State Board of Education today issued a proclamation to add two members to the Normandy Schools Collaborative (NSC) Joint Executive Governing Board (JEGB) — William H. Humphrey and Michael W. Jones. These new members begin their service on the JEGB effective immediately. The State Board’s proclamation also dictates the JEGB will reorganize and determine the JEGB leadership within 14 days.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in partnership with the organization TEACH, is excited to announce “The Future Depends on Teachers,” a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign that is part of a long-term multi-phase recruitment initiative to diversify the teaching profession and address our nation’s teacher shortage.

Governor Mike Parson will issue a statewide proclamation declaring April as the Month of the Military Child on Monday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Waynesville, Mo. at the Waynesville Career Center. Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Margie Vandeven, Commanding General of Fort Leonard Wood Maj. Gen. James Bonner and Waynesville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Henry will join Governor Parson to speak at the proclamation event.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards bestowed top honors to two Missouri students for their exceptional acts of volunteerism in their local communities last week. Missouri’s top youth volunteers for 2021 include:

The Governor’s Office recently approved an extension of the allocation of funds from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to support Missourians wishing to serve or currently serving as substitute teachers during the staffing challenges Missouri schools are facing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.