School and Community Winter 2023

Erin Dieckmann School district: Lafayette County C-1 School building: Grandview Elementary Grade level/subject: Kindergarten and 1st

Holly Smith School district: Mountain View-Birch Tree R-3 School building: Liberty Middle School Grade level/subject: 8th Grade American History

grade Special Education Years teaching: 19 years Years in MSTA: 19 years Roles in MSTA: CTA President

Years teaching: 19 Years in MSTA: 19 Roles in MSTA: CTA treasurer, president Why did you get involved with MSTA? I love the fact that MSTA supports teachers with a $2 million professional liability insurance policy. We also have a voice that is heard in Jefferson City. I feel like our profession is under a microscope more than any other career. Our expectations are high and pay is low. We have every right to speak up and demand better for ourselves; MSTA gives us this voice! I believe that when the state starts putting teachers first, they will put students first. What has been a recent win for you? In 2022, we have more teachers in leadership positions within our CTA. Mountain View-Birch Tree has four different buildings, miles apart. These “take charge” teachers have done a great job collecting dues and passing on necessary information. What is one of your goals for 2023? I believe that teachers are in trenches, so to speak. It’s hard to explain what is going on in a classroom to someone that has never taught. My goal for 2023 is to make Mountain View-Birch Tree’s CTA more tenacious, more focused and louder.

Why did you get involved with MSTA? I got involved in Student MSTA when I was in college and loved everything about the organization. I believe MSTA wants to stand behind every teacher and advocate for them. They understand that every teacher needs a support system and I believe they do a wonderful job at supporting all of us teachers. What has been a recent win for you? I went from teaching fourth and fifth grade special education to teaching kindergarten and first grade, which was a huge jump. I feel as though I have embraced the change and am making the most of each and every day with my students. What is one of your goals for 2023? One of my goals for the upcoming year is to do more self-reflection. I think self-reflection leads you to not only learn things about yourself as a person and as a teacher, but it allows you to grow and change in a positive way.

Casey Burch School District: Farmington R-7 School Building: Farmington High School Grade level/subject: 9-12+ special education, ELA, social studies, transition Years Teaching: 18 Years in MSTA: 19 Roles in MSTA: Farmington R-7 CTA Vice President

Leigh Ann Dunn School district: Savannah R-3 School building: Minnie Cline Grade level/subject: Special Education

Paraprofessional Years teaching: 9 Years in MSTA: 9

Why did you get involved with MSTA? Several years ago, I was asked to join our local CTA officer team. Since then, I have served as treasurer and I am currently the vice president. I absolutely love working with the other officers, building representatives and administration to support our students, staff and community! What has been a recent win for you? A recent win for me (and my local CTA) was increasing our membership by speaking with new teachers during their training before the start of school and signing up 30+ members for MSTA and CTA. What is one of your goals for 2023? My goal is to help others be as successful as possible!

Why did you get involved with MSTA? Legal and grant assistance. What has been a recent win for you? Seeing the growth of my students. What is one of your goals for 2023? I hope to continue learning and growing alongside each of the kiddos I provide services for.

S&C WINTER 2023 | 17