Dec. 19, 2022

Poplar Bluff Middle School math teacher earns statewide award

Sixth grade math teacher Dr. Brandi Compass has received statewide recognition through a professional math association in her return to Poplar Bluff Middle School.

Compass was presented the 2022 Middle School Outstanding Mathematics Educator award from the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics on Friday, Dec. 2, during its fall conference in Columbia.

“Brandi is one of those teachers you come across in a great while,” wrote sixth grade science and social studies teacher Katherine Johns of the Middle School in a letter of recommendation. “…Brandi is able to see exactly what each child brings to the community, and her whole teaching approach involves finding and using children’s unique strengths to help them overcome their struggles and develop a positive self-concept.”

Compass began at the Middle School this school year, after previously teaching for five years at the former 5th & 6th Grade Center and Poplar Bluff High School. Her tenure in public education began in 2010, having served in Charleston, East Prairie, Cape Girardeau and Woodland over grades K-8, most recently in an instructional coach capacity.

Additionally, Compass has been employed as an adjunct instructor at Three Rivers College, and has spent three summers abroad leading an international team of educators through the nonprofit Inspiring Teachers, volunteering to train other math teachers in Guyana, India and Nepal.

“Her planning, perceptions and knowledge of analyzing and implementing student data is like no other,” stated PBHS special education teacher Heather Rommel, who worked as co-teacher alongside Compass during her time at the secondary level. “These students who once struggled or failed at math are now B students and becoming deep thinkers.”

Dr. Josh Teeter, Middle School principal, echoed the sentiment in his recommendation, stating that Compass is "growth-minded” and knows the “importance of analyzing data” to improve instruction. “Her ability to differentiate based on student need is exceptional,” Teeter stated.

Last year, Compass earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Lindenwood University, where she is presently working toward a specialist degree in administration. She previously earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in elementary education, respectively, from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

As part of the nomination packet, Compass detailed her classroom philosophy of “teaching to the whole student.” She explained: "My focus as a teacher is to instruct, guide, mentor and help my students become high-level thinkers, problem solvers and all around good people no matter what their backgrounds are or where their struggles fall.”

The Outstanding Mathematics Educator Award is one of several presented by the MCTM annually since the recognition program was established in 1997. Poplar Bluff Middle School intervention teacher Kristi Sittig was previously named the MCTM Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2015.

Above: Dr. Brandi Compass, math teacher at the Middle School, is presented a Missouri Outstanding Mathematics Educator award by MCTM representative Nancy Bergfeld on Friday, Dec. 2, in Columbia.

Below: Poplar Bluff Middle School Principal Dr. Josh Teeter congratulates math teacher Dr. Brandi Compass for her honor through the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Ross Fuel Center launches Operation Lunch Box fundraiser

Ross Fuel Center recently hosted a fundraiser, matching the total collected from its customer base, in an effort to help reduce outstanding lunch balances at area schools.

Tiffany Voyles, manager of the gas station on U.S. 67 Business North, donated around $600, split between Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High, as the result of its Operation Lunch Box campaign through the month of November.

“I said, ‘I’ve got to do something,’” Voyles reflected. “I wish I could give them my paycheck. If I had all the money in the world, I would help more.”

Voyles became aware of the student debt issue from a collection effort taking place at her son’s school in East Carter, she explained, and learned about the vital role cafeteria meals play in the nourishment of children from her time living in Salem when schools were closed during the pandemic, she said.

A decision was made by company officials to match any contributions given at the cash register. “Our customers are amazing,” said Voyles, noting that sister company Leerjak Travel Center in Ellsinore also participated in the fundraiser, generating even more money. Voyles has worked for the Ross family off and on for just under a decade.

Junior High Principal Candace Warren said that her kitchen manager produced a list of balances, and the school applied $100 to the three highest accounts, contacting parents to notify them. “They were all super appreciative,” Warren reported. She wrote on the Junior High Facebook page: “We are so fortunate to live in such a giving community.”

High School Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy said she plans to pull data in order to identify students who may not have gotten applications under the National School Lunch Program submitted in time. “I’m hoping to evenly distribute the funds to students with the highest needs,” Ivy said. She added that while the library operates its Giving Closet to provide students in need with classroom supplies, clothing, hygiene items and snacks: “This is one resource we don’t have.”

At Poplar Bluff Schools, all elementary students and younger receive free meals through the Community Eligibility Program under the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Above: Candace Warren (left) and Corey Jameson of Junior High accept a donation from Ross Fuel Center manager Tiffany Voyles (second from left) and Joyce West, assistant manager, on Friday, Dec. 2.

Below: Ross Fuel Center Manager Tiffany Voyles (second from left) presents a donation to (left to right) Jay Dowd, Dr. Valerie Ivy and Marci Priest of Poplar Bluff High School on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the gas station.

Life Skills class prepares holiday feast for families

The Life Skills class at Poplar Bluff Junior High hosted what they promoted as ‘Friendsmas’ on Wednesday, Dec. 14, serving lunch to loved ones.

The class prepared the food and set up the tables in the FEMA gymnasium. “Everybody has a purpose,” Life Skills teacher Courtney Rutledge said. “It is a good thing for social skills,” added colleague Steven Frey, noting that students are asked to greet the guests at the door.

For the occasion, students recorded videos sharing what they are thankful for and also made Mules-themed salt dough ornaments for families to take home. Other Junior High educators involved with the Life Skills class, as well as district administrators, joined in the celebration.

The Junior High tradition began with a Thanksgiving feast in 2017. The event paused during the health crisis, but was able to return with its Christmas theme this year.

Above: Eighth grader Debra Mace greets her grandmother Doris during the Junior High ‘Friendsmas’ celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Below: Kaileb Gainwell, grade seven, takes a selfie with his mother Latara Jackson at the Life Skills community meal hosted last week in the gymnasium.

Bonus: Social media posts of the week

Above: Missouri first lady Teresa Parson shared a post on Facebook about Mark Twain School on Wednesday, Dec. 14, and the community service work being done in its Jobs for America’s Graduates program.

Below: The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce gave Technical Career Center Director Charles Kinsey a shout-out for his latest grant of $400,000 through the American Rescue Plan Act in a string of campus projects recently funded.

Winter Break

Students will be dismissed from Thursday, Dec. 22-Wednesday, Jan. 4, for the Christmas holiday. School resumes on Thursday, Jan. 5.

Beauty & the Beast

The PBHS Drama Club presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13-14, along with Jan. 20-21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, in the Kay Porter Theater on Victory Lane. Tickets cost $5 at the door. 

Collect the Caps

The PBHS Beta Club is collecting teal bottle caps on Dr. Pepper products through Tuesday, Jan. 31, for a chance to win up to $10K through the annual Collect the Caps contest, co-sponsored by Pepsi MidAmerica. The special caps are being accepted in 50-gallon barrels at the 3209 Oak Grove Road campus from the following 16&20-ounce, and 1&2-liter bottles: Diet/Cherry/Dr. Pepper, Diet/7Up, Squirt, Crisp & Clear water, and Orange/Grape/Strawberry Crush. Last year, the student organization won $6,000 through the contest, and $2,500 in 2019.

On Monday, Dec. 12, the DAR reported about our Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association State Championship.

KWOC also reported about the back-to-back championship victories of our PBHS Competitive Cheerleading team. 

The ShowMe Times reported about our Missouri All-State Choir students.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, KWOC reported about a series of small grants awarded to Mark Twain School via the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation.

KFVS12 reported about the grant our Technical Career Center received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

KAIT8 also reported about our $400K ARPA grant.

WSILTV additionally reported about the Missouri Area Career Center Opportunity funding.

Lastly, Fox23 reported about over half a million dollars in improvements slated for the TCC.

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the DAR reported about the latest matching grant that the TCC received. 

On Friday, Dec. 16, KWOC promoted our Drama Club’s presentation of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

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