School and Community Fall 2023

Name: Amanda Royster School building: Carl Junction High School District: Carl Junction Grade levels: 9-12

Federal Reserve” by Roger Lowenstein. The book masterfully blends history, politics and economics. One really gets the feeling of the financial crisis created by the Panic of 1907, the role of the now aged financier JP Morgan and the need to find a more long-lasting replacement. The nuance of federalism is clearly present as the National Banking System (created during the Civil War) and the fear of centralization led to a central bank with one foot firmly in Washington D.C. and the other spread around the country with powers delegated to both. It is professionally written and provides insight into some of the great figures of the time. What is the best piece of advice another teacher has given to you? John Poldan, a veteran teacher and colleague during the early years of my career, suggested that I attend the then-annual Social Studies Teacher Conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The price was right (no registration fee) and the content was beyond great with economists explaining economic concepts and how they fit into both historical perspectives and current events. From that point, on I went almost every year that the conference existed and continued to attend any conferences they offered. I am honored to have been a member of their Educator Advisory Board for many years now and find the resources and PD they offer to be central to my teaching of Macroeconomics. The advice to attend that conference has translated to attendance at many PD conferences, including the National Council for Social Studies, College Board’s APAC and many others - both local and national. Good PD has helped me keep my teaching fresh and inspired me to try innovative approaches and lessons. What new hobby or activity have you tried lately? During the pandemic, I took a passing interest in photography into a full-blown hobby. I thoroughly enjoy landscape and wildlife photography. Teaching can be stressful. I find that a good walk with a camera and a focus on capturing a memorable photograph leaves all the stress and tension that can come with teaching aside.

Subject: Library Media Specialist Number of years in education: 12 Number of years in MSTA: 8

When did you know you picked the right career? I don’t think there was ever a singular lightbulb moment when I knew it was right for me. My husband and I are both teachers, and we began teaching at the same school which was about a 45-minute drive from home. On the way home every day, we would talk nonstop about the kids we both had in class. Every day, we spent almost an hour thinking about our interactions with them, what worked and what didn’t. The energy we put into that constant reflection was evidence to me that I chose a career I was passionate about. Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first year teacher? I would tell myself that building relationships with students is just as important as the lesson-planning and grading at home every night. Without established rapport, students aren’t going to learn to their full capacity. In order for them to be invested in what you are teaching, they need to know that you are invested in them. What is the best piece of advice another teacher has given to you? Try not to listen to other teachers’ warnings about students. Start every day fresh. Some of the students that I have been told to look out for or keep an eye on have given me some of the most rewarding teaching experiences. I firmly believe that is because I didn’t treat them with suspicion. I hold the same expectations for them as I do for any student and, more times than not, they meet or exceed those expectations.

Name: Rodney Gerdes School building: Oakville High School District: Mehlville R-9 Grade levels: 9-12 Subject: Social Studies Number of years in education: 27 Number of years in MSTA: 27

Name: Heather Helle *finalist* School building: Scott City Elementary District: Scott City R-1 Subject: Elementary/Middle School Music Number of years in education: 24 Number of years in MSTA: 24 When did you know you picked the right

If I asked your colleagues, what would they say about your teaching style? My colleagues would say that my teaching style is eclectic. I am comfortable implementing lessons without technology and equally comfortable using technology in the classroom. Students will receive well thought out lectures followed by hands-on lessons that are clearly focused on giving students experience with learned concepts. For instance, a brief lecture about inflation will be followed by an inflation activity featuring an auction with money supply adjustments that drive home the quantity theory of money as the source of inflation. Finally, we will evaluate the real data evidence using the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) database. What is the best book you’ve read recently? The best book I have recently read is “America’s Bank: The Epic Struggle to Create the

career? I think teaching has always been a part of who I am because I grew up in an educator’s home. My mom taught elementary in the Missouri public schools for 30 years. Music has also played a role in my life, starting when I was in third grade with private piano lessons. Ironically, in elementary school, I despised my music class. Music was just singing some songs and turning the page. When I was in fifth grade, my school hired a new music teacher, Mrs. Pam Dumey. She brought life to music and made it exciting! I experienced music like never before. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was shaping the music educator I would become. It was during my student-teaching that I knew I wanted to teach elementary and middle school general music

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