Nominated by their fellow teachers and students, the Neelyville School District honored four individuals as teachers of the year, three of whom have taught for 24 years. Crystal Gillespie of Hillview Elementary, Amy Hays of Neelyville Elementary, Billie Foust of Neelyville Junior High, and Lisa French of Neelyville High School earned the recognition.
Gillespie is a 24-year veteran of the school district and currently teaches second grade. Hays teaches Title I math and has served Neelyville as a teacher for 24 years as well. Foust instructs 7th-12th grade business. She additionally oversees the school newspaper and is a Future Business Leaders of America sponsor. She also is the third educator with 24 years’ experience. Finally, French teaches 7th-12th grade art and sponsors the art club. She marks 12 years with the district.
Superintendent Heather Black affirmed, “I think all of the teachers selected represent our district well.”
She explained the instructors were nominated by “peers at the elementary level, peers and students at the 7th- 12th-grade level, with administrator input at all levels.”
The award stems from the statewide Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year program. According to Black, the MSRTY dictates the eligibility guidelines. Candidates had to be full-time Neelyville teachers with valid Missouri teaching certificates. Additionally, nominated teachers needed to be, “be highly respected by students, parents, colleagues and the community.”
The criteria also emphasized the need for exceptional leadership abilities and close involvement in the school community. After Neelyville’s teachers nominated the candidates, the faculty voted and selected the winners.
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced after a vote at the March 21 board meeting. Black said a decision will be made on whether to nominate any of the teachers to the Regional Teacher of the Year competition after this announcement. The MSRTY will select three teachers from the Southeast division for the regional award.
The organization stated on its website, “Districts participating in the Teacher of the Year Program have found the program to have a positive impact on the entire community.”
With 84 years of collective experience between the awardees, Black agreed the district’s students are in good hands.