Finalists have been named for the 2016-17 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. Nominations for the award were submitted by school districts throughout the state, and the finalists were chosen by a selection committee appointed by the Department. The seven finalists were narrowed from a list of 31 regional teachers of the year.

The finalists for this year include:

• Katherine Arens, Lindbergh Schools (English, Lindbergh High School)
• Jody Hilton, Camdenton R-III (social studies and English language arts, Oak Ridge Intermediate School)
• Sandy Humbyrd, Hollister R-V (mathematics, Hollister High School)
• Nancy Luebbers, University City (English, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary)
• Lindsay Thompson, Fort Osage R-I (English, Fort Osage High School)
• Michelle Uptegrove, Lee’s Summit (special education, Cedar Creek Elementary)
• Darbie Valenti, Savannah R-III (mathematics and Science, Minnie Cline Elementary)

The selection 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 30. The winner and the finalists will be honored at a banquet on October 24 in Jefferson City. The new Missouri Teacher of the Year will serve as the state’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year competition.

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.

Missouri's current Teacher of the Year is Linda Glasgow, a third grade teacher at John Nowlin Elementary in Blue Springs.

The Department conducts the Missouri Teacher of the Year program with financial support provided by the Boeing Company and the Monsanto Fund.