School and Community Winter 2024

“ Brandi Compass deserves a shout out for being an amazing part of the PBMS team. She goes above and beyond to support other teachers and students and is a consistent help with events within the district. Brandi creates new and innovative ideas for teaching, and spends extra hours on teaching homebound students, student council students and tutoring. She deserves praise for her outside contributions and her membership associations with other educational community programs. She even spends her summers traveling overseas to bring teacher management and teaching strategies to other educators.” - Melissa M. Jackson, Poplar Bluff R-1 “Shout out to Lora Kurzweil , MSTA member and Ray-Pec CTA vice president, for all of her volunteer work with Special Olympics.” - Jackie Garcia, Raymore-Peculiar R-2 “ Jennifer Hecht goes above and beyond - not just serving our middle school but staying connected with former students and helping them achieve too. She works tireless hours for a job that often doesn’t get a thank you.” - Shannon Berghoff, Cape Girardeau 63 “ Randall Helm has been stepping in when our principal has been at training and has done a great job. He is always willing to step up to admin at games if someone cancels. Randall does a great job of keeping coworkers positive and motivated!” - Laurel Rogers, Laquey R-5 School District

“Shout out to Jered Jackson who is our JAG teacher, basketball coach, PE teacher and the tech guy. He wears a lot of hats.” - Karen Huff, North Wood R-4 “Shout out to Devin Lindsey for 27 years of dedication to our students. He will be retiring at the end of the year and has led our students to many victories on and off the court!” “ Kris Harwood , Eldon High School principal, is retiring after 33 years in education. She’s a servant leader and has led a building into a high achieving school. The whole package!” - Stephanie Parsons, Dent-Phelps R-3

“ Angela Mansel is always working to better the English department and does a great job teaching her students, always trying to improve. She serves on many committees at the district level and represents English well!” “ Mary Knueven is an extremely hard working, problem-solving Special Education teacher who goes above and beyond for her students - and any student that she has interactions with. She will help any teacher with problem-solving ways to help them manage their behavioral and academic struggles. Mary will keep searching for help until we get to a common goal as a team!” - Michelle Steelman, Salem R-80 “Congratulations to Mary Chris Cairns , who earned her Master’s degree in English.” - Janice Guebert, Perry Co. District 32 “ Brittany Welker recently started an art club that has been well received by students. She is involved with the junior class and leadership teams and started teaching a dual credit art history course this year. Brittany works tirelessly to provide learning opportunities for her students and expose them to the larger world. She is kind and encourages this trait in her students as well.” - Christy Phillips, Canton R-5 - Jeffrey Pettibone, Springfield R-12 “Shout out to Nathan Holtmeyer for becoming ‘Hairless Holtmeyer’ for the sake of a family in need.” - Jilli Roberts, Blair Oaks R-2

- Erin Rohwer, Eldon R-1

“ Nikki Locklear has been a fabulous addition to our CTA and is also the FTA sponsor.”

- Sara Hedge, Rolla 31

“Thank you, Kelsey Stotsberry , for ensuring MSTA members are represented.” - Angie Sellers, Camdenton R-3 “ Paige Berger is not just an amazing art teacher; she is an advocate for everyone. The culture of our school would not be where it is nor be as inclusive if we didn’t have her.” - Dustin Surber, Willard R-2

“ Whitney Jones has worked tirelessly to get our new SIS implemented.”

- Karen Butler, Seneca R-7

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