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Two Flyers Named Finalists for State Award
September 1, 2015
Not one, but two Lindbergh Schools educators have been named finalists in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program, state officials announced on Wednesday. Truman Middle School science teacher Melissa Nussbaum and Special School District teacher Kim Dailey are two of six finalists statewide for the prestigious honor.
Melissa Nussbaum, Lindbergh’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, has been a middle school science teacher for eight years, and department chair for the past five years. She is leading the science curriculum’s progression to create process-driven classes that focus on scientific inquiry and critical thinking. This increased engagement is a big reason for the 20 percentage point jump in middle school science achievement at Lindbergh, says Principal Dr. Tara Sparks.
“It is an honor to represent Lindbergh and all of the great teachers in Missouri as a finalist for Teacher of the Year,” Nussbaum said during the surprise announcement on Tuesday. “I was surprised and flattered to hear all of the kind words from my colleague, because they’ve made me the teacher I am today.”
Kim Dailey was named Special School District’s Teacher of the Year in 2014, and applied for the state title this year. Dailey has been teaching for 29 years, most recently at Lindbergh High School. Her ability to bring people together blends the lines between SSD and general education, through programs such as Lunch Club, which pairs students at lunch to foster a positive social experience. Dailey also sponsors Key Club, a community service based student organization, and serves as a team coach for Special Olympics.
“I’m only as good as the staff I work with and they are fabulous,” she said to the LHS faculty during her surprise announcement on Tuesday. “Thank you for all the connections and relationships you’ve built, not only with me and our colleagues, but with our kids. We do some fabulous things here. We do, not just me. This is an honor. Thank you so much!”
In addition to Nussbaum and Dailey, Sappington Elementary School’s new assistant principal Ta’Keshia Parker was Kirkwood School District’s 2015 Teacher of the Year. She became ineligible for the state finalist process when she moved into her new administrative position at Lindbergh.
Six outstanding public school educators were chosen from a pool of nominations submitted by school districts throughout the state. A selection committee appointed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reviewed the candidates’ written applications and selected finalists. The other finalists are from Ritenour School District, Blue Springs R-IV School District, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and Pattonville R-III School District.
The selection committee will interview the finalists Sept. 14 in Jefferson City and will choose the Missouri Teacher of the Year, who automatically will become the state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. The finalists will be honored at a banquet Oct. 26 in Jefferson City. Chris Holmes, journalism teacher at Hazelwood West High School, is Missouri’s 2014 Teacher of the Year.
Not one, but two Lindbergh Schools educators have been named finalists in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program, state officials announced on Wednesday. Truman Middle School science teacher Melissa Nussbaum and Special School District teacher Kim Dailey are two of six finalists statewide for the prestigious honor.
Melissa Nussbaum, Lindbergh’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, has been a middle school science teacher for eight years, and department chair for the past five years. She is leading the science curriculum’s progression to create process-driven classes that focus on scientific inquiry and critical thinking. This increased engagement is a big reason for the 20 percentage point jump in middle school science achievement at Lindbergh, says Principal Dr. Tara Sparks.
“It is an honor to represent Lindbergh and all of the great teachers in Missouri as a finalist for Teacher of the Year,” Nussbaum said during the surprise announcement on Tuesday. “I was surprised and flattered to hear all of the kind words from my colleague, because they’ve made me the teacher I am today.”
Kim Dailey was named Special School District’s Teacher of the Year in 2014, and applied for the state title this year. Dailey has been teaching for 29 years, most recently at Lindbergh High School. Her ability to bring people together blends the lines between SSD and general education, through programs such as Lunch Club, which pairs students at lunch to foster a positive social experience. Dailey also sponsors Key Club, a community service based student organization, and serves as a team coach for Special Olympics.
“I’m only as good as the staff I work with and they are fabulous,” she said to the LHS faculty during her surprise announcement on Tuesday. “Thank you for all the connections and relationships you’ve built, not only with me and our colleagues, but with our kids. We do some fabulous things here. We do, not just me. This is an honor. Thank you so much!”
In addition to Nussbaum and Dailey, Sappington Elementary School’s new assistant principal Ta’Keshia Parker was Kirkwood School District’s 2015 Teacher of the Year. She became ineligible for the state finalist process when she moved into her new administrative position at Lindbergh.
Six outstanding public school educators were chosen from a pool of nominations submitted by school districts throughout the state. A selection committee appointed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reviewed the candidates’ written applications and selected finalists. The other finalists are from Ritenour School District, Blue Springs R-IV School District, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and Pattonville R-III School District.
The selection committee will interview the finalists Sept. 14 in Jefferson City and will choose the Missouri Teacher of the Year, who automatically will become the state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. The finalists will be honored at a banquet Oct. 26 in Jefferson City. Chris Holmes, journalism teacher at Hazelwood West High School, is Missouri’s 2014 Teacher of the Year.
The Department conducts the Missouri Teacher of the Year program with financial support provided by the Boeing Company and the Monsanto Fund.
Melissa Nussbaum | Kim Dailey |