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 – 2^nd 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.