For the first time, the Department is honoring Regional Teachers of the Year, allowing the state to recognize more outstanding teachers as part of the Missouri Teacher of the Year program. Thirty-one teachers are being honored in their regions. They are now eligible for the state teacher of the year award:
Shannon Waldo, Billings R-IV – music, Billings Junior and Senior High Schools
Morgan Payton, Blue Springs – agriculture science, Blue Springs Freshman Center
Jody Hilton, Camdenton R-III – social studies and English language arts, Oak Ridge Intermediate School
Autumn Palmer, Carthage R-IX – chemistry, Carthage Senior High School
Lindsay Thompson, Fort Osage – English, Fort Osage High School
Jordan McGaughey, Fox C-6 – social studies, Seckman High School
Joseph Mentesana, Frontier School of Innovation – 2nd grade English, math, social studies and science
Lori Mayer, Hancock Place – reading specialist, Hancock Place Elementary
Heidi Broughton, Hannibal #60 – English, Hannibal High School
Sandy Humbyrd, Hollister R-V – mathematics, Hollister High School
Autumn Stevens, Jackson R-2 – English, Jackson Junior High
Nikki Carel, Jefferson City – English, mathematics, social studies and science, Pioneer Trail Elementary
Joseph Schoen, Kirkwood R-VII – music, F.P. Tillman Elementary
Michelle Uptegrove, Lee’s Summit – special education, Cedar Creek Elementary
Katherine Arens, Lindbergh Schools – English, Lindbergh High School
Kayla Hart, Montgomery County R-II – kindergarten, Montgomery City Elementary
Tiffany Jones, Nixa Public Schools – mathematics, Nixa Junior High
Lesley Martin, North Kansas City Schools – business/computer science, Staley High School
Kate Cerve, Pathway Academy Charter School – English language learners
Allison Stout, Pattonville School District – library and technology, Remington Traditional School
Kim Welch, Pettis County R-XII – English, math, social studies and science, Pettis County Elementary
Patrick Hemmingsen, Raymore-Peculiar School District – chemistry, Raymore-Peculiar High School
Jennifer Bettis, Rockwood R-VI – science, Rockwood Valley Middle School
Tammy Lueck, Rolla Public Schools – German, Rolla High School
Karen Pace, Salem R-80 – mathematics, Salem High School
Darbie Valenti, Savannah R-III – mathematics and science, Minnie Cline Elementary
Sneh Kothari, Special School District of St. Louis – vocational skills, Vocational Skills Program at SSM
Health, St. Clare Hospital
Leah Messina, St. Charles – English, Hardin Middle School
Nancy Luebbers, University City – English, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary
Melissa Hayslip, Wheaton – literacy, Wheaton Elementary
Linda Beck, Zalma R-V – English, Zalma High School
The Missouri Teacher of the Year for 2016-17 will be selected in September. The Missouri Teacher of the Year program recognizes the efforts of effective teachers in providing a quality education to their students. Preparing, developing and supporting effective educators is a primary goal of the Department's Top 10 by 20 initiative, Missouri’s effort to rank among the top 10 performing states in education in the nation by the year 2020.
The Department conducts the Missouri Teacher of the Year program with financial support provided by the Boeing Company and the Monsanto Fund.