Seven Missouri educators have been selected as finalists for the 2019 Missouri Teacher of the Year award: 

• Julie Ellis, Montgomery Co. R-II (English language arts, Montgomery Co. High School)
• Amber Galiher, West Plains R-VII (kindergarten, West Plains Elementary)
• Elizabeth Hart, Belton 124 (special education, Kentucky Trail Elementary)
• Jean Lawson, Springfield R-XII (special education, Truman Elementary)
• Rhett Oldham, Ste. Genevieve Co. R-II (history, Ste. Genevieve Middle School)
• Shelly Parks, Francis Howell R-III (English, Francis Howell North High School)
• Tobin Schultz, Carl Junction R-I (business/social studies/marketing, Carl Junction High School)

School districts throughout the state submitted nominations for the award, and a panel appointed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) selected the finalists from among 32 regional teachers of the year. 

A committee comprised of teachers, business leaders and education organization leaders will choose the Missouri Teacher of the Year following interviews with each finalist on August 21. The winner, finalists and Regional Teachers of the Year will be honored at a banquet in Jefferson City on October 22. The new Missouri Teacher of the Year will serve as the state’s nominee for the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. 

The Missouri Teacher of the Year program recognizes the efforts of effective teachers in providing a quality education to their students. Beth Davey, a music teacher from Iveland Elementary (Ritenour), is the current Missouri Teacher of the Year. 

DESE conducts the Missouri Teacher of the Year Program with financial support provided by the Boeing Company and the Monsanto Fund.