The annual Teacher of the Year luncheon was held on Thursday, April 4, in the Missouri Room, recognizing a teacher from each of R-I's 10 buildings. Of the top teachers, a TOY is selected to represent the elementary, middle school and secondary grade spans. Of those grade-span winners, one faculty member is selected as the district-wide TOY.
The 2019 district TOY, who was nominated by her peers, is Amanda Summers of the Kindergarten Center. Summers succeeds Debbie Harper, also a kindergarten teacher, who received the district-wide honor twice during her tenure. The Kindergarten Center owns a reputation of excellence, with other district recipients in the past several years including Fawn Luecke, Susie Rahlmann and Judy Seawel.
Above: (Left to right) James Hunt, Denni White, Christie Risinger, Jennifer Morin, Kasi Aldridge, Amanda Summers, Meg Daniels, Traci Durham-Allen, Britney Stahl and Becky Ingle.
Amanda Summers has taught at the Kindergarten Center since 2012 after gaining several years experience as a second grade teacher in Poplar Bluff.
Besides advocating for her co-workers, which Principal Jessica Thurston made note of, a common thread in Summers' nomination letters was that she continues to keep up with her students long after she has them in class. She uses the "perfect combination of gentleness and encouragement," read a letter from parent Dana Cobb. Another mother, Kristen Brooks, wrote: "She cares about their academic achievement, but she also cares about their emotional and social development."
Summers received her master's degree in elementary administration from William Woods University in Fulton.
Above: Jessica Thurston (left) presents Amanda Summers with the Kindergarten Center, elementary grade-span and district TOY awards.
James Hunt has taught math and science at the Middle School since last school year. Before that he taught grade four special education. While he began as a paraprofessional with the district in 2014, he was working with students for a few years prior as an AmeriCorps mentor and then a youth development professional with the Boys and Girls Club.
Hunt is known for building over-the-top classroom themes around his math lessons, or as student Nolan White says, "he has the coolest room ever." Hunt also maintains a personal connection with parents. "I applaud Mr. Hunt for recognizing that tweens have different needs and for being brave enough to implement ideas that are not considered 'the norm,'" wrote Jennifer Funke, a mother.
Hunt received his master's in educational leadership from LaGrange University in Hannibal and his education specialist from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Above: Principal Dr. Brad Owings (left) presents James Hunt with the middle school grade-span and Middle School TOY awards.
Meg Daniels has served as an art teacher at the High School since 2014, prior to which she student taught elementary school at Jackson for a semester and then became a long-term art substitute there at the middle school age level.
In her letters of recommendation, Daniels was credited for propelling the art department into the spotlight, and encouraging students to enter regional art contests, helping one senior earn an art scholarship to college. Faculty colleague and former college classmate Elizabeth Rose wrote: "Her humor encourages students to participate that normally would not and it endears her to her students."
Daniels received her bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau where she previously earned a bachelor's in art with a concentration in general psychology.
Above: Principal Mike Owen presents Meg Daniels with the secondary grade-span and High School TOY awards.
Denni White has served as auto collision instructor at the Technical Career Center since last school year. He has operated his own collision shop since 2004, and ran the D&S Outlet for three years. Additionally, he worked as a lead collision technician for Penske Truck Leasing Company in Poplar Bluff from 2003 to 2016.
Multiple students said White makes sure they are employable upon completing the program, and past student Thomas Nickerson credited the instructor for helping him land a job at a body shop with a strong recommendation based on his reputation in the field. Cosmetology teacher Amanda Howard commented that White is able to use "work-related stories from his personal business" to explain a given skillset, and is very hands-on in class.
On top of many years of industry experience, White recently received his career technical education certification from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. He also received training through the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
Above: Director Charles Kinsey (left) presents Denni White with the TCC TOY award.
Britney Stahl's tenure has been spent at Junior High beginning with teaching science in 2013 and shifting to mathematics last school year, soon taking on math foundations as well.
Being viewed as a role model was a theme in Stahl's nomination letters by both parents and students alike. Madison Faith wrote "you are who I want to be when I get older," and classmate Maura Dill shared a similar sentiment. Parent Rachel Stevens noted: "My student wants to be a teacher when she grows up and I want her to be like Mrs. Stahl."
Stahl earned her bachelor's in middle school education from Missouri State University in Springfield, and is pursuing her master's in school counseling from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.
Above: Principal Candace Warren (right) presents Britney Stahl with the Junior High TOY award.
Christie Risinger came to O'Neal as a speech-language pathologist in 2015, bringing with her around 25 years of related experience from the Senath-Hornersville school system.
In her nomination packet, a set of parents commented that Risinger "truly cares about our child's happiness." A student said she "even tried Yu-Gi-Oh!," which is a trading card game. Her colleague, Heather Mustain, stated: "She has gone as far as to volunteer to cover my morning duty for a full month when my husband was out of town to allow extra time for getting my kids ready alone in the morning."
Risinger earned her master's degree in communicative disorders from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. She received her state license to practice from the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts as well as training to become a district autism spectrum disorder consultant.
Above: Principal Dr. Amy Dill (left) presents Christie Risinger with the O'Neal TOY award.
Becky Ingle was hired in Poplar Bluff last school year as a special education teacher for Oak Grove. Previously, she served for 15 years in special education at Bernie, after starting as a classroom aide.
Ingle was variously credited by her work colleagues for having a "selfless attitude," a "kind and gentle spirit" and adding a "new layer of positivity to our building." One of her students was delighted that she attended one of his soccer games. Another girl stated that Ingle should be "queen of the year." The student concluded: "I think she is really Wonder Woman."
Ingle earned her bachelor's in elementary education with a focus on early childhood from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.
Above: Principal Jenifer Richardson (left) presents Becky Ingle with the Oak Grove TOY award.
Kasi Aldridge has been employed as a second grade teacher at Lake Road Elementary since 2013. The following year, she took on additional duties as a Sho-Me Band Color Guard coach at PBHS and also has signed up to teach summer school for several years.
In her support letters, student Savannah Heathington said Aldridge is so kind, she probably has "millions and thousands of friends." Alexis Martin thanked Aldridge for teaching her cursive and Fatima Kach credited the teacher for passing on an appreciation for Harry Potter. Multiple parents said she treats her students as if they were her own children. "There were times when my children had no idea how much knowledge they were soaking in because they were so busy enjoying their day," Travis and Amanda Gowen wrote.
Aldridge received her bachelor's degree in K-12 special education with a certification in elementary education from Central Methodist University out of Fayette. She is in the process of completing her master's in curriculum and instruction through Arkansas State University at Jonesboro.
Above: Principal Erica Weadon (left) presents Kasi Aldridge with the Lake Road TOY award.
Jennifer Morin has been employed as a speech-language pathologist at Eugene Field since 2012. She began with the district in the same capacity in 2007 at Lake Road and transferred to the former 5th & 6th Grade Center in 2011. Since 2001, she served as a speech teacher at Doniphan and West Plains, as well as in New York and Vermont. She got her introduction to the field as a speech implementer in the Norwood School District around 20 years ago.
"Realizing how important communication is for people to successfully navigate throughout their day is what drives me every day," stated Morin, in her professional summary. "...If I have helped a student be able to express their needs or ideas then it has been a successful day."
Morin received her master's in communicative disorders from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro, earned her certificate in clinical competence in speech-language pathology, and obtained training through the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts in speech.
Above: Principal Jennifer Taylor (left) presents Jennifer Morin with the Eugene Field TOY award.
Since last school year, Traci Durham-Allen has taught integrated special education at the Early Childhood Center before which she was hired to help launch the former Missouri Preschool Program. She got her start with the district in 2012 as a first grade teacher at Oak Grove. She came to Poplar Bluff with five years of experience as a kindergarten teacher in McDonald County, Raytown Quality and Lawson, after serving as curriculum director for one year at Primrose Day School.
Durham-Allen is recognized by co-workers and parents for her deep compassion for children with special needs, and her expertise. "Her care factor for the children is unprecedented in my experience," said one father. "She never allows a diagnosis to define a child's abilities or to limit what they can do," co-worker Michelle Caswell noted. Process coordinator Laura Bond added: "Mrs. Allen, while quiet and mild mannered, is an extremely strong communicator and advocate for children."
Durham-Allen earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from LaGrange University in Hannibal.
Above: Principal JoAnne Westbrook (left) presents Traci Durham-Allen with the ECH TOY award.
