Three Missouri educators have been selected to participate in the 2013 LearnZillion Dream Team, a group of educators who create Common Core State Standards learning tools. These teachers were chosen based on their understanding of the Common Core Standards and their ability to create high-quality, highly conceptual lessons that are easily understood by students.

The 2013 Missouri Dream Team participants are:

• Luis Actis, Kirkwood R-VII School District
• Carol DeFreese, Ft. Zumwalt R-II School District, O’Fallon
• Carolyn Sue Nixon, Willard R-II School District

“The development of the Common Core State Standards is key to ensuring students across the country are on track for college and career,” said Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro. “We believe it’s critical for teachers to have a hand in developing the tools necessary to implement the standards successfully. We’re proud Missouri will be represented on the Dream Team and pleased that Missouri continues to take a leadership role in the effort to raise the bar for all kids.”

College- and career-readiness is a primary goal for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Top 10 by 20 initiative, which calls for education in Missouri to rank in the top 10 nationwide by 2020.

Only 200 individuals were chosen for the Dream Team out of more than 3,000 teachers, instructional coaches and administrators from across the country who applied.

Members of the Dream Team will travel to San Francisco in May for TeachFest. TeachFest is an intensive professional development conference where participants will work with Common Core experts, content specialists and other Dream Team teachers to better understand the new standards and the best ways to teach them.

After TeachFest, Dream Team teachers will capture their proven approaches and teaching methods in concise lessons that will then be made available for free to every student, teacher and parent through LearnZillion’s online platform. More than 100,000 teachers are registered for the free site as well as 1.5 million students. To register or for more information, visit LearnZillion.com.