Jefferson City News

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has announced seven finalists for the 2024 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. These educators have been recognized for their dedication and impact in various subjects across different schools in Missouri.

The finalists include Kaylin Bade from Washington School District, who teaches Agricultural Sciences at Washington Middle School; David Choate from Rockwood R-VI, an English Language Arts teacher at Lafayette High School; Maria F. Derner from Belton 124, focusing on English Language Development at Belton High School; Sabria El-Kurbu from Moberly School District, a High School English teacher at Moberly High School; Heather Helle from Scott City R-1, teaching Music at Scott City Elementary and Middle School; Kathryn Victoria Inman from Greenville R-II, an English Language Arts teacher at Greenville Elementary School; and Greg Kester from Potosi R-III, who teaches Social Studies at Potosi High School.

A committee consisting of teachers, business leaders, and education organization officials will conduct interviews with each finalist to select the Missouri Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced during a recognition event on October 16. This individual will also serve as Missouri's nominee for the 2024 National Teacher of the Year.

Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven emphasized the importance of educators in Missouri: “There are about 70,000 public school educators across our state who work each day to ensure Missouri students receive the best education possible,” she said. “We are working across the state to ensure our educators feel valued and that their work is appreciated, and this is one way to showcase what exceptional teaching in our state looks like.”

The program aims to highlight effective teaching practices by recognizing teachers who contribute significantly to their students' education. Christina Andrade Melly, an English Language Arts teacher from Ritenour High School in the Ritenour School District, holds the title of 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year.