South Middle School math teacher Allison Pittman named Regional Teacher of the Year, eligible for Missouri Teacher of the Year Award

(From the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced the 2021 Missouri Regional Teachers of the Year this week, with the 34 selected teachers now under consideration to be named the 2021 Missouri Teacher of the Year. Committees comprised of education peers and key stakeholders from each Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) in Missouri selected the 2021 Regional Teachers of the Year, listed below by RPDC area. 

Southwest Center for Educational Excellence 

Allison Pittman, Joplin Schools – mathematics, South Middle School
Amy Redus, Marionville R-IX – kindergarten, Marionville Elementary

Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning 

Jesse Baker, Billings R-IV – mathematics, Billings High School
Tonya Claybrook, Spokane R-VII – Grade 5, Highlandville Elementary

Armando Johnson, Springfield R-XII – Spanish, Central High School 

Central RPDC 

Joseph Koeberl, Lawson R-XIV – American history/current events, Lawson Middle School
Lindsey Tinney, Cole Camp R-I – special education, Cole Camp High School

Education Plus/St. Louis RPDC 

Dione Anderson, Francis Howell R-III – reading, Harvest Ridge Elementary
Cheryl Kay Calcaterra, Hancock Place – reading, Hancock Place Elementary
Darrion Cockrell, Lindbergh Schools – physical education, Crestwood Elementary
Joel Crenshaw, Hazelwood – English, Northwest Middle School
Cathy Farrar, Rockwood R-VI – science, Marquette High School
Erin Graves, Dunklin R-V – science, Herculaneum High School
Clarence Hines, Special School District – criminal justice, North Technical High School
Tricia Ottens, Valley Park – library science, Valley Park Middle/High School
Jefferson Stephens, Mehlville R-IX – English language arts, Bernard Middle School
Nathan Williams, Bayless – science, Bayless Junior High School

Heart of Missouri RPDC 

Jacob Baker, Jefferson City – science, Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Paula Vail, Winfield R-IV – science, Winfield High School

Sarah Elizabeth Worth, Warren Co. R-III – special education, Rebecca Boone Elementary 

Kansas City RPDC 

Ashlyn Brantley, Platte Co. R-III – physical education, Platte County High School
Mike Chrostowski, Raytown C-2 – culinary arts, Herndon Career Center
Summer Kelley, Liberty 53 – project-based learning, Liberty Academy
Matthew Ketteman, Lee’s Summit R-VII – music, Longview Farm Elementary
Kyle Plummer, Blue Springs R-IV – social studies, Blue Springs South High School
Michelle Preslar, Fort Osage R-I – agriculture, Fort Osage Career & Technology Center

Northeast RPDC 

Jennifer Gill, Shelby Co. R-IV – Grade 4, Shelbina Elementary
Amy Rendel, Hannibal 60 – English college prep, Hannibal High School

Northwest RPDC 

Corinne Russell, St. Joseph – French, Central High School
Rebecca Wynne, Maryville R-II – STEM, Maryville Middle School

South Central RPDC

 

Linda Beckett, Sullivan – physical education, Sullivan Middle School
Jacob Flora, Lonedell R-XIV – STEAM, Lonedell Elementary

Southeast RPDC 

Cassandra Mills, Fredericktown R-1 – science, Kelly A. Burlison Middle School
Melissa Thomas, Cape Girardeau 63 – Grade 2, Jefferson Elementary 

The Regional Teacher of the Year program began in 2016, in an effort to celebrate outstanding teachers from all areas of the state. Semifinalists and finalists for the 2021 Missouri Teacher of the Year award will be selected in August, with the 2021 Missouri Teacher of the Year being named in early September.

Misty Grandel, an English language arts teacher from Fordland High School (Fordland R-III), is the current Missouri Teacher of the Year.

DESE conducts the Missouri Teacher of the Year program with financial support provided by Bayer AG.