Missouri DESE

🎤 Monday night’s 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Banquet brought together educators, families, and communities across Missouri. Watch the replay — and tag an educator who made a difference in your life! ✨ 🎥: ow.ly/Zrle5101HkA #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

⏰ Final days, Missouri child care providers! The 2026 Child Care Market Rate Survey closes November 6. Make sure your voice is heard. 🔗 Complete your survey: ow.ly/liOO50ZVVZp 🎁 Completing it enters you for a chance to win a $100 gift card! #MissouriChildCare #OfficeOfChildhood #MarketRateSurvey #ChildCareProviders

Missed Monday night’s Missouri Teacher of the Year Banquet? Or just want to revisit the celebration? Photos from the event are now available on Flickr ➡️ ow.ly/fIVc5102C9e

🍂 Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before bed Saturday night. ⏰

📘 Education Week stopped by Cass Career Center to highlight how math & English are integrated into CTE. 🔧 Check out the story! ⬇️ ow.ly/HRjW5102hje

And now… celebrating our Teacher of the Year! 🍎 Sarah Steffens, 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year, turns her literacy journey into a powerful mission to uplift students and families across Elm Grove. 📚 🎥 ow.ly/8kzm5102bcy #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

Wrapping up our finalist spotlights: 🌼 Bailey Womble, 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist, creates an inclusive learning environment at Heritage Elementary. She leads Adapted Specials and adds communication supports so every child can participate fully. 🎥 ow.ly/Fl8W5102a0t #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

Next up: ✏️ Sarah Newton, 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist, leads with empathy, structure, and a deep belief in student voice. Her literacy work, community partnerships, and mentorship initiatives give students space to grow, question, and express themselves with confidence. 🎥 ow.ly/H1zB51029XA #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

Next up: 🧪 Sarah Moonier, 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist, elevates science education at Rockwood Summit through immersive fieldwork and data driven investigations. She also leads inclusive advocacy that reaches far beyond her classroom. 🎥 ow.ly/haot51029Vs #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

Next up: 🔬 Christine Logan Hollis, 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist, uses her wildlife and naturalist background to create hands-on, curiosity driven science experiences for Kingston K-14 students — from crime scene investigations to global learning opportunities. 🎥 ow.ly/NwSH51029U3 #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

Next up: 🧭 Emily Klein, 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist, strengthens learning at Bayless High School through dual credit history courses, culturally rooted projects, and student centered innovation. 🎥 ow.ly/2beq51029R9 #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

Continuing our highlights from Monday evening — it’s time for the stories from our 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year finalists. 🍎 🌾 Nicole Crocker, 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist, grows real world ag opportunities for Branson R IV students through skills, service, and leadership. 🎥 ow.ly/lObJ51029ML #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

✨ Congratulations to the 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year Semifinalists! We were excited to celebrate them on Monday and to honor the incredible work they do for Missouri students. 🎥 ow.ly/z20X51023F8 #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

🍎 From Monday evening’s celebration: Congratulations to Missouri’s 35 Regional Teachers of the Year! Chosen from a record 619 nominees, these educators exemplify excellence across all 10 regions of our state. Their dedication and impact reach far beyond the classroom, and it was a joy to celebrate them this past Monday. 🌟 🎥 ow.ly/Egwq5101T6u #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

🎉 Free Project Construct Foundations Training is now available through Innovation Grant funding! Program Administrators can now enroll their staff to participate in this DESE approved, constructivist curriculum that supports high quality care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. 📚 Review the Terms and Conditions ➜ 🔗 ow.ly/k1cH5101tbb Complete the application ➜ 📄 ow.ly/yPJV5101tb9

Webinar: Free Statewide Tools to Recruit and Hire Educators 📘 DESE’s partnership with Nimble continues this year, offering districts a statewide educator job board, recruiting resources, and new tools launching soon. 📅 Thursday, November 19 Noon – 1 PM ⏰ The session will cover Year 1 results, district experiences, what’s new for this year, and how to get set up before hiring season begins in January. This webinar is designed for HR directors, superintendents, and others involved in educator hiring. Some tools are limited and available on a first‑come basis. Register: ow.ly/jkPf5101rwa

🎉 Celebrating 32 Years! Missouri First Steps has been helping our youngest learners grow, thrive, and reach their fullest potential for more than three decades 💛 Early intervention changes lives — see how this program empowers families statewide: ow.ly/JgSa5101vt4

💙 Thank you for joining us as we celebrated Missouri educators tonight! Congratulations to all honorees — your work shapes the future of our state. Safe travels!✨ #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

🎉 Congratulations to the 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year — Sarah Steffens of Fort Osage R1! Her unwavering commitment to literacy and student success inspires us all. 📚💛 📰: ow.ly/Ffwb5101c1Q 🔗 Watch live: ow.ly/MeZy5101c1S #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation

👏 A very special thank‑you to 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year Kim Sixta for a year of leadership, advocacy, and inspiration. 💛 🔗 Watch live: ow.ly/PLwu5101bWe #MOTOY2027 #MOEducation