School and Community Fall 2023

Name: Tricia Hinton School building: Highland JR-SR High District: Lewis County C-1 Grade level: 7-8 Subject: Social Studies Number of years in education: 23 Number of years in MSTA: 17

into my room, someone was laughing or that they have to remind me to teach with my door shut because I can get a little loud sometimes. I also think a select few would remind me (again) not to stand on chairs while teaching (I think it adds a little something to a lesson every now and then). I think my team would agree that I am always looking for a way to make lessons authentic and hands-on. I love to have the community come into our classroom and break down the classroom walls and give my students more real-world experiences. Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first-year teacher? The advice that I give myself on a daily basis is that it’s okay to not check your email when you leave for the day. Having work and home boundaries is okay! What is the best piece of advice another teacher has given to you? I think the best piece of advice I have heard from another teacher is to earn the right to be heard by my students and their families. Focus on building relationships and connections first before you try and jump into the curriculum. I live by that advice every day in my classroom and I’m thankful each day that I can continue to build and nurture those relationships, even after they’ve left my classroom. Shout out to all my seniors graduating this year! Know that I’m always behind you cheering you on! Name: Dustin Orton *semi-finalist* School building: Holden Middle School District: Holden R-3 Grade level: 6th Subject: World History Number of years in education: 9 Number of years in MSTA: 9 If I asked your colleagues, what would they say about your teaching style? My colleagues would say that no matter what, I put students first. The relationships that I build with students are of utmost importance and this is obvious in the ways I engage and take a lively approach to teaching. I utilize songs (that students remember for years after leaving my class), games and creative activities to make learning a vibrant and enjoyable experience. Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first year teacher? Breathe and know it’s okay to fail. When I first began teaching, everything was critical. Does my room look good? Is this lesson good enough? What if someone complains? What if it fails? All of these things constantly stressed me out. I wish I understood that there are going to be things that fail. It’s inevitable. However, if what I am doing is what’s best for students, I’m doing what I am supposed to be. What is the best piece of advice another teacher has given to you? The best piece of advice I was given was to be authentic. I spent a lot of time trying to mimic other teachers who “had it together” and was never comfortable - the students could tell. When I received this advice, I stopped focusing on what others were doing and started being myself. That changed everything. Students began to become more comfortable with me and I became more comfortable in teaching.

When did you know you picked the right career? I knew I had picked the right career from the very first day I stepped into the classroom. Teaching was intoxicating to me, and I was immediately hooked. The energy, curiosity and enthusiasm of the students filled the room and I realized that I had found my true calling. Since that first day, my passion for teaching has only grown stronger and it has never lost its luster for me. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of my students. Witnessing their growth, both academically and personally, is incredibly rewarding and keeps me motivated to be the best educator I can be. One of the key factors that makes my career so fulfilling is the amazing staff I work with. They are THE best, and many of them have become my absolute closest friends outside of school. Teaching is not just a job for me - it is a passion and a vocation. It brings me joy, fulfillment and a sense of purpose that I cannot imagine finding elsewhere. Knowing that I am playing a role in shaping the future of young minds is a responsibility I cherish and take seriously. Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first year teacher? Build relationships first! I was so eager to conquer the standards and design the best lesson plans that I struggled to balance both the pedagogy and the relational side of the teacher. As uncomfortable as it might be to acknowledge, students will not remember the best-laid lesson plans, but they will remember us! They remember the way we made them feel, the fun activities and the relationships we had with them. Be patient with the content - it will come along. Instead, establish yourself as a trustworthy teacher. What is the best book you’ve read recently? I usually have two or three books going at once: a fiction, a non-fiction historical text, an audiobook and a self-help book. Plus, I read the Bible every morning. The best fiction book I have read lately was “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Richardson. In the non fiction world, I just finished listening to “Never Caught” by Erica Armstrong Dunbar. I am also reading a book about eating our way to healthier life titled “How I Beat Stage 4 Cancer, Maggie McGee Protocol: The Truth About God’s Pharmacy.” To say I love to read is an understatement. One classroom goal I have for the upcoming year is to read one historical fiction picture book a week to my classes. Name: Sarah Mancusi *semi-finalist* School building: Mathews Elementary School District: Nixa Public Schools Grade level: 2nd Number of years in education: 15 Number of years in MSTA: 15 If I asked your colleagues, what would they say about your teaching style? First, I think they would say that every time they walked

Not featured: Sabria Mustafa El-Kurbu of Moberly School District *finalist*

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