School and Community Fall 2023

As the MSTA representative for her building, Hagely has played an active role in fostering a supportive and collaborative educational environment. “I joined MSTA to represent me if I needed any legal advice during my teaching career - luckily I have not,” she said. “I also have won a few grants from MSTA to do projects in my community. I bought little bookshelves for a few local dentists and doctors’ offices in the area. I then filled them with books that were written by the first graders. So, while the patients were waiting, they could read books written by my students.” Hagely hopes that her journey can be a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound impact that a teacher can have on the world. “I feel like I thrive in my profession because it is my passion in life, and I truly love what I do!” Southeast Region M ichelle McGruder (East Prairie R-2) wrote on a kindergarten assignment, “When I grow up, I want to be a... TEACHER!” This dream that sprouted long ago is still her reality today, during year 27 of her career. “I attended K-12 at East Prairie Schools and earned my bachelor’s degree at Southeast Missouri State University,” McGruder said. “I then received a Master of Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. I have lived many ‘first days’ in the classroom and have always had that little flutter in my stomach from the responsibility of these little treasures in my hands every day.” Over the years, she has taught kindergarten, first grade, fifth grade and Title 1 reading, offering a broad spectrum of educational experiences. With a significant portion of her career spent in kindergarten, McGruder has gleaned valuable insights into early childhood education.

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned is to remember that the children in our classrooms have only been in the world a few years,” she detailed. “Considering this, they need a great deal of support, patience and grace to continue learning how school (and the world) works.” For this reason, many of her classroom methods are grounded in empathy and understanding. This philosophy was notably essential during recent years. “One of the greatest struggles in my career came during the COVID-19 pandemic,” McGruder recalled. “I was given the task of virtually teaching kindergarten and first grade for students choosing to learn online. I had very few existing skills in technology and was terrified of being able to give the students a good educational experience in a time of crisis. I learned a lot that year and I hope the students learned SOMETHING! This gave me the chance to learn and grow, and many of the skills I learned from that experience I have been able to bring into my teaching as we inch toward ‘normal.’” These experiences have brought forth similar challenges for teachers across the country. For mid-career educators who may be grappling with burnout or feeling stuck, her advice is to seek out like-minded colleagues who share a passion for education. “Let them be your sounding board and safe place,” McGruder said. “It’s easy to be sucked into a vortex of negativity, especially with the stressors that exist in education today. People who are dedicated and passionate about teaching will support you on weak days and celebrate with you on strong ones. My advice to my younger self would be to breathe and soak up the moments I was in. I spent too much time trying to constantly look ahead and figure out what was coming.” Alongside these positive efforts, McGruder believes that the education system

could benefit from changes which many teachers recognize on a daily basis. “Changes and improvements I would like to see in the education system lie mostly with the pressures that exist on educators and students concerning state testing, the stress levels for many teachers and administrators, challenges with student behaviors, family support and teacher salaries,” she noted. As the state navigates these known obstacles, McGruder is thankful for her involvement with MSTA. “I value my membership because of the wealth of support that is available, the sharing of experiences and knowledge and the security of resources on hand if I need them,” she said. “MSTA has brought inspiration, motivation and expanded my perspectives throughout my years in education.” Outside of the classroom, McGruder enjoys working on creative projects to foster a love of reading within students. Read about her web show, “Mrs. Mac’s Bookbag,” on page 37. Northeast Region K erri Blessing (Canton R-5) started school at the University of Iowa with an undeclared major, but soon found herself on a lifelong journey in education. “I first aspired to become an educator when I was a child playing teacher in our basement,” she said. “I remember having a gradebook with made-up student names, and my own chalkboard that rotated to access both sides. I must’ve forgotten that when I went to college... I eventually took a class to explore career possibilities and made the ultimate decision to become a teacher.” Over the course of her now 27-year career, Blessing has positively impacted the lives of young learners in fourth, fifth and sixth grades. The evolving landscape of education demands nimbleness and resilience, and she has embraced these qualities.

16 | FALL 2023 S&C