Ten top R-I faculty members were honored during the annual Teacher of the Year luncheon held Thursday, March 31, in the Missouri Room.

 

The instructors were nominated at each of the schools, then a committee selected a district-wide TOY along with one representing each grade span.

 

The faculty members who received multiple awards will be recognized by the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at the Middle School.

 

Fawn Luecke (right), who teaches art and music, was named the 2016 district, elementary grade level and Kindergarten Center TOY by Principal Carol Brotman.

 

Retired instructor Ann Ruth Pemberton, the 1982 TOY, went through the alphabet in her nomination letter listing adjectives to describe Luecke: Atypical, authoritative, blonde, breathtaking, bona fide, carte blanche, cunning, chic, etc.

 

"Fawn Luecke, Kindergarten Center, is the 'A,B'C,' of Missouri educational teachers and would represent, with the highest honors, the state of Missouri," Pemberton wrote.

 

Luecke has been teaching in various capacities at Missouri schools since 1980, including at the former Mark Twain Elementary, Eugene Field and Junior High. She most recently earned an art education degree from the Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau in 2007.

 

Mike Berry (left), who teaches exploring careers, was named the Middle School Grade Level and Junior High TOY by Principal Bob Case.

 

Board vice president Dr. Cynthia Brown shared a story in her nomination letter about how Berry would reprogram her son's computer every day to help him overcome a learning hurdle and ultimately succeed in the class.

 

"I can assure you from the perspective of an educational colleague, a former administrator, a parent, and a nationally-experienced school leadership specialist, that Mike Berry is among the very best classroom educators I have had the privilege of knowing," added Dr. Sean Dunphy, a trainer with Capturing Kids' Hearts, a professional development initiative the district subscribes to.

 

Berry has worked for the R-I district since 2006, beginning at the 5th & 6th Grade Center and soon accepted a position at Junior High. He is currently working on his master's in secondary administration through William Woods University at Fulton.

 

Gretchen Pendley, an instructor of biology, was named the secondary grade level and Senior High TOY by Principal Mike Kiehne.

 

Student Clayton Rone stated that Pendley has provided great guidance, beyond biology class, during his senior year.

 

"Ms. Pendley is an over-comer, a problem-solver, an innovator, and a dynamic member of our Science Department," colleague Kathy Miller added. "Her enthusiasm, love, and passion for teaching and her students, have few rivals on our staff... and we have an incredible faculty."

 

Pendley has been teaching biology since 2003 in multiple states, most recently at Three Rivers College, where she still teaches dual credit courses. She is presently taking postgraduate courses at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

 

Jody Cochran (right), building trades instructor, was named the Technical Career Center TOY by Director Charles Kinsey.

 

"I mean, out of all the teachers, I feel he probably has the most responsibility," student Chris Lombeida wrote. "Not only does he have to handle the paperwork of being a teacher, but he also has to make sure a big house gets (constructed) right, on time."

 

Outside of the TCC, Cochran has operated Cochran Construction since 2005. For a decade prior, he worked as a carpenter for George Wilson Construction. He is presently working on completing a degree in career tech education at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

 

Shalyn Copas, a special education instructor, was named the Middle School TOY by Principal Dr. Brad Owings.

 

"In my opinion she deserves Teacher of the Year... 'For the World,'" wrote Lorrie Busse, a parent. "I have seen children speak who normally don't speak. I have seen children learn above and beyond what anyone thought they would."

 

Copas has taught for the district since 2014. For several years prior, she served as a paraprofessional. She is presently pursuing a second master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Arizona State University.

 

Stephanie Misner (left), speech pathologist, was named the O'Neal TOY by Principal Angie Rideout.

 

"In the seven years that I've worked with the school district, Stephanie Misner is one of the sweetest, most caring people that I have had the pleasure of working with," said colleague Dustie Curnett, also a parent. "Not only has she been 100 percent supportive of me as a teacher and has always been there to answer my questions, she is 100 percent dedicated to her students and that means success for my little man."

 

Misner has worked as a certified speech pathologist since 1993, accepting a job with the district six years later. She received her master's in speech pathology from Southern Illinois University in 1992.

 

Dan Cox, vocal music teacher, was named the Oak Grove TOY by Principal Jenifer Richardson.

 

"If he isn't out directing traffic and waving at kids; dancing at the drop-off line in the mornings to boost kid's moods; or dressing up like a children's book character and acting silly, his actions are always in check with role model behavior that I want my child to be around," parents Bob and Emily Summers stated. They talked about how Cox has helped their son outside of school as well.

 

Cox has been a music teacher since 2010 at schools across Missouri. He is slated to receive a master's in instructional technology leadership from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar next month.

 

Abbey French (left), first and second grade instructor, was named the Lake Road TOY by Principal Erica Weadon.

 

"She keeps in close contact with her students' parents and has a very good rapport with them," stated colleague Paula Bradley, last year's District TOY. "She often serves as a model teacher for others that need assistance."

 

French has been teaching elementary students at various Missouri schools since 1999 and accepted the post at Lake Road and Oak Grove over a decade ago. She received her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from William Woods University at Fulton in 2005.

 

Teresa Webb (left), first grade instructor, was named the Eugene Field TOY by Principal Jennifer Taylor.

 

"Teresa Webb exemplifies what is right with education today," colleague Cynthia Olsen wrote. Co-worker Cindy Robertson added: "It's amazing how she has already mastered the art of teaching and does it flawlessly."

 

Webb has worked as a first grade teacher since 2007, after serving as a classroom aide at the Kindergarten Center, and prior - a substitute. She received her master's in literacy from Hannibal-LaGrange University in 2013.

 

Mandi Webster (left), instructor of SWIN, was named the Early Childhood Center TOY by Principal JoAnne Westbrook.

 

"She never allows a diagnosis to define a child's abilities or to limit what they can do," colleague Michelle Caswell said. Webster's nomination packet included a stick figure drawing as well as the outline of a hand from a pair of students.

 

Webster has worked as a developmental therapist for the past two decades, beginning at Poplar Bluff as a behavior consultant in 2009 and later teaching at O'Neal.