School and Community Winter 2024

“ Matt Villasana is the Jack of all trades!”

“ Kristi Seyer is our Kindergarten teacher, and she is amazing! She deserves all the recognition. Kristi works amazingly hard every single day and is so dedicated to her students.” “ Jaime Burger works so hard for her students and our school’s CTA! She’s the best.” - Michaella Gantz, Kelso C-7 “ Randee Schatz will go above and beyond to promote our school and to make sure our story is being heard. This is done by presenting at conferences, helping other teachers whenever possible, loving the kiddos that can be “hard” at times and just being a team player. She will always do what is best for students as well as her coworkers.” - Barb Loyd, Gasconade Co. R-2 “Shout out to Reagan Fowler for killing her first year as a Kindergarten teacher. She is rocking it!” “Kudos to our Special Education department for transitioning to a new platform to write IEP’s.” - Julie Hagemeier-Schlote, Lincoln County R-3 - Madison Fowler, Joplin R-8 - Marissa Talbert, Oak Ridge R-6

“Shout out to our CTA staff appreciation committee ! They organized an awesome 12 days of Christmas for our staff!” - Carla Fitzgerald, Brunswick R-2 “ Madison Norris is a fifth-grade teacher and MSTA member. She builds solid relationships with her students and is someone they trust and look up to. Miss Norris is always building up her students to be their very best. She may be a newer teacher but, with the way she focuses on any student’s mental and emotional well-being, she is just amazing!” “ Stephanie Crank , a Title I teacher, is an advocate for teachers and students alike. She has gone above and beyond supporting all staff through the implementation of RSPs.” - Natasha Frerking, Sweet Springs R-7 - Noelle Horner, Hillsboro R-3 “ Mrs. Tonia Nunn is an amazing woman who has really paved the road to success for her coworkers/ staff. She is our Preschool Director at Fordland. This year, she has also covered the role of a P.A.T teacher, giving 110% every day to help our early childhood development center really grow. Our Fordland family is proud to have such an involved, caring and dedicated person to lead our community.” “Our Title I reading teachers, Shannon Chanley, Caitlin Rees and Amy Bartlett , have navigated and supported our teachers through the Reading Success Plans this year. I can’t imagine putting this together without their expertise and commitment to our students’ success.” “Our building principal, Dr. Anne Billington , was just named NEMAESP Distinguished Principal. She is an excellent leader and I’ve been very fortunate to have her as my administrator for my teaching career thus far. She has encouraged me to be the passionate educator I am today, and I know she does the same for everyone in her building. She is truly amazing and deserves all the recognition she can get!” - Maggie Resa, Mexico 59 - Alexis Saffle, Fordland R-3 - Christina Dodd, Scott Co. R-4 “ Amy Givens goes above and beyond for her students and coworkers.” - Tonya Winfrey, Malta Bend R-5

- Jessica Tierney, Columbia Public Schools

“Shoutout to my entire elementary building! I am the reading specialist for K-5 and our entire staff has done incredible things. It’s paying off with our student reading scores!” - Victoria Washam, Miller R-2

“ Maddy Johnson has done an amazing job in her new role as a Member Service Coordinator.”

- Rebecca Shipley, Lee’s Summit R-7

“Shout out to the teachers and staff at Freedom Elementary for their hard work and dedication.”

- Maxine Thompson, Waynesville R-6

“Thanks to Melissa Rolf for always being willing to help!”

- Barbara Mackey, Maryville R-2

“ Angie McFee is the glue that keeps Winston together.”

- Drew Dyer, Winston R-6

“ Lori Smith is our CTA membership coordinator. She works tirelessly to make sure each and every piece of paperwork is filled out completely and correctly. She advocates and speaks at Convention too. She makes all students and staff feel loved and is a great example of a wonderful teacher and human.”

“ Aron Knocge is rocking her FACS position at our high school. Her students are doing amazing stuff!”

- Angela Keppner, Palmyra R-1

-Kelsey Orson, Webb City R-7

“Shout out to Danielle Oser for being a teacher that our students can relate to and enjoy being around.”

“Thank you, Caitlyn Spencer , for leading MSTA at our school.”

- Ashley Phillips, South Callaway R-2

-Alison McCormick, Bosworth R-5

“ Angie Sullenger is a secretary for our school. She is an MSTA member and is part of the organization that works with our school to provide community events!”

“I have an outstanding staff and they all deserve a shout out for the incredible work they do for our Bulldogs every day.” - Tanya Brown, Blackwater R-2 “ Susan Neilsen is a retired teacher who now works as a part time administrative assistant for the Teacher Education Program as MSU-WP. Susan goes above and beyond to help students to plan for their upcoming semester and even volunteers to tutor if they are struggling in class.”

-Misty Gandy, Taneyville R-2

“ Tory Witt has been doing exciting work in Kindergarten, keeping learning fun.”

-Jennifer Henderson, St. James R-1

“I am thankful for Brandon Gaffney and his willingness to grow future educators and develop collaborative teams. He is only in his third year of teaching and has already made a tremendous impact on our students and our profession.”

- ReBena Atkinson, Missouri State University-West Plains

- Brooke Gantt, Nixa Public Schools

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