School and Community Winter 2023

Heather Kite School district: Ralls County R-2 School building: Mark Twain Jr. High Grade level/subject: 6th English

responsibility that MSTA has and the multitude of things that they do for the teachers in Missouri. What has been a recent win for you? I think a recent win for me is finally being able to qualify a student for gifted services. This student has shown gifted tendencies for the past two years and was nominated for testing two years ago but did not test high enough to qualify. Since that time, the gifted tendencies that he has been displaying have gotten more severe in that he would get so stressed that he would almost harm himself. After realizing that he most likely suffers from severe testing anxiety, we were able to test him in different situations and he was able to test in the area to qualify. The next time that I saw him, he told me, “I’m in!” It is so exciting to see what I can learn from him and hopefully teach him to deal with his tendencies in a more positive manner. What is one of your goals for 2023? One of my goals for this year has been, and continues to be, working with our CTA to make it the best it can possibly be for all our school staff. Eric Cohen School district: Lakeland School building: EPCO Grade level/subject: 3-6 Years as a para: 8 Years in MSTA: 4 Roles in MSTA: Building representative, AB&R Committee, Credential Committee Why did you get involved with MSTA? I was asked to be a building representative, so I joined and took the role. What has been a recent win for you? Getting through 2021, which was tough in many ways for us all. What is one of your goals for 2023? Be better than I was last year and continue to do my best every day. Not pictured: Matthew Bright (Hancock Place) Matt’s leadership has led to great growth of the Hancock Place CTA. Under his guidance, the CTA has flourished and successfully bargained salaries and working conditions for the certified staff. He does all of this after he drops knowledge on his sixth grade Ancient Civilization students. Kathie O’Connor (Fox C-6) Kathie has a great devotion to the students that she serves. In addition to that, she has volunteered countless hours as a leader for the Fox C-6 CTA, Jefferson County Region, and the Education Policy Committee. Her organization and drive keep the Fox C-6 CTA moving forward.

Years teaching: 14 Years in MSTA: 12

Roles in MSTA: Secretary, or “collector of all things” because we don’t have an actual board at our school

Why did you get involved with MSTA? They needed someone to help at the junior high and I was new and wanted to get involved in things, so I volunteered to help and then took over when the other teacher retired. What has been a recent win for you? A recent win for me has been raising my own two children and seeing them become responsible, kind adults. What is one of your goals for 2023? One of my goals for 2023 is to make more time to read.

Jon Sorens School district: Liberty School building: Heritage Middle School Grade level/subject: 7th science Years teaching: 18 Years in MSTA: 17 Roles in MSTA: Former Kearney CTA president/

vice president/treasurer, former region president, current Liberty CTA vice president, former AB&R chair, former MSTA state board member Why did you get involved with MSTA? When I was in Kearney, I received an email that the teacher who was running the CTA was quitting. Lori Jacobsen and I responded and grew the group from about 15 to over 100. I started to get more involved with the region board and AB&R. I really liked the fact that the more I got involved, the more I understood the bigger picture of MSTA and education in general. I also really appreciate that members get to interact with the Executive Director and head office folks. They really listen to the ideas of the members. What has been a recent win for you? A recent win has been moving to the middle school level. I really feel like it has been a great change. I get to work with great people in an amazing setting. Heritage is “Where I Belong.” What is one of your goals for 2023? I am running for office, so my goal would be to win and continue to impact the state of Missouri through MSTA.

Terri Heiby School district: Phelps County R-3 School building: K-8 Grade level/subject: Music and gifted Years teaching: 18 Years in MSTA: 18 Roles in MSTA: CTA member and president

Why did you get involved with MSTA? I became involved in MSTA because I thought it was just something I was supposed to do as a teacher. But, over the years, I have learned the real purpose of MSTA and how important it is for teachers. After attending the MSTA Capitol Days last spring, I was very impressed with all the

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