College: Wichita State University

Experience: Over 20 years

Motivation to Teach: I love helping students reach their full potential.

Favorite Hobby: Travel, family time and beadwork

Alternate Career: Work for my tribe

Favorite Drink: Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

College: Eastern Michigan University, 1987

Experience: 35 years

Motivation to Teach: This was a great opportunity to advance in my position and be back in a high school setting

Favorite Hobby: Reading

Alternate Career: Teaching at a different school

Favorite Drink: Water with a slice of lemon

College: Monmouth College, 2012

Experience: Five years

Motivation to Teach: I am someone who loves to broaden my experience both professionally and personally. I developed a curiosity about working with high school students and decided to pursue it.

Favorite Hobby: Golfing

Alternate Career: Bounce around between adventurous tour-guide-like jobs

Favorite Drink: Zevia Creamy Root Beer

College: University of Lindenwood

Experience: One year

Motivation to Teach: I love being around kids.

Favorite Hobby: Watching college football

Alternate Career: College sports

Favorite Drink: Chocolate milkshakes

College: University of Missouri, 2021; Missouri State University, 2023

Experience: None

Motivation to Teach: When getting my degree in social work, I knew that I wanted to work with teenagers and build relationships with them outside of the classroom. I admire how adults play a significant role in students’ lives and want to be a part of that myself.

Favorite Hobby: Cricut crafts, reading

Alternate Career: Work somewhere part-time and travel the US

Favorite Drink: Iced latte

College: Mizzou, 2008; Lindenwood, 2016

Experience: Six years

Motivation to Teach: School is tough in so many ways and for different reasons. I love to help kids figure out how they can function in school in order to feel safe and find success.

Favorite Hobby: Working out, reading or spending time with my two boys

Alternate Career: Dermatologist or a physical therapist

Favorite Drink: Iced Coffee or Alani Nu energy drinks

College: University of Missouri-Columbia, 2019

Experience: One year

Motivation to Teach: I want to help students achieve their goals.

Favorite Hobby: Golf

Alternate Career: Play a lot of golf

Favorite Drink: Dr. Pepper

College: Mizzou, 2011

Experience: One year

Motivation to Teach: This is a second career for me. After working in Advertising and Journalism for 10 years I wanted to bring that experience into the classroom. Teaching is an extremely fulfilling career and I feel lucky to work with students and, hopefully, help them achieve their goals.

Favorite Hobby: Writing and yoga

Alternate Career: Writer or yoga teacher

Favorite Drink: Coffee

College: Missouri Baptist University, 2015

Experience: Seven years

Motivation to Teach: To impact the lives of students and people from all walks of life. I do a really good job of relating to students no matter where they are in their lives. I also have a passion for physical activity and athletics. Spreading love and grace is among the top reasons why I’m an educator as well.

Favorite Hobby: Bowling and coaching

Alternate Career: Teaching something

Favorite Drink: Orange Crush

College: New Mexico State University, 1993; NMSU, 2005

Experience: Five years

Motivation to Teach: I want to expose my students to opportunities they’ve never considered and help them find a path that works for them.

Favorite Hobby: Wood working

Alternate Career: Work as a firearms instructor

Favorite Drink: Root Beer

College: Missouri Baptist University, 2005

Experience: Over 30 years

Motivation to Teach: This was a great opportunity to advance in my position and be back in a high school setting.

Favorite Hobby: Photography

Alternate Career: Spend time with family

Favorite Drink: Diet Coke from McDonalds

College: University of Michigan, 2014; University of Illinois, 2019

Experience: Nine years

Motivation to Teach: I love sharing my love of making music with people of all ages and inspiring young people to be musicians themselves. Whether it’s playing in an orchestra, a rock band, or making beats on a laptop, I love giving students the tools to pursue their musical ideas.

Favorite Hobby: Running and golf

Alternate Career: Performing musician

Favorite Drink: Strawberry Kiwi Snapple

College: Missouri State, 2009; UMSL, 2015

Experience: 14 years

Motivation to Teach: I am a teacher because I love seeing my students grow as musicians and then thread music into their lives after school.

Favorite Hobby: I like to build and repair things

Alternate Career: Performing musician

Favorite Drink: Dr. Pepper

College: Missouri State University, 2011; University of Florida, 2021

Experience: 10 years

Motivation to Teach: I love being an art teacher to help people find their voice. Art is a conversation, a form of self expression and a way to heal. It is very rewarding to help students learn how to express themselves.

Favorite Hobby: Art, hiking and live music

Alternate Career: Artist

Favorite Drink: Iced black coffee

College: Southeast Missouri State University, 2023

Experience: None

Motivation to Teach: I chose to become a teacher because of my passion for inspiring and shaping young minds, fostering a love for learning, and making a positive difference in the lives of students.

Favorite Hobby: Crafts

Alternate Career: Crafts/small business owner

Favorite Drink: Pibb Xtra

College: Missouri State University 2019, 2023

Experience: Five years

Motivation to Teach: To share my love and knowledge of music and band.

Favorite Hobby: Gaming

Alternate Career: None

Favorite Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper

College: Mizzou, 2006

Experience: 17 years

Motivation to Teach: I always loved gifted education and the creativity that we are able to put into the curriculum. At the high school level, I get to form such a unique relationship with each student because I don’t actually teach their classes and don’t have to give them a grade.

Favorite Hobby: Gardening

Alternate Career: Master craftsman

Favorite Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper

College: 2010; 2022

Experience: One year

Motivation to Teach: Discovering theatre in high school really changed my life. I hope that as a theatre teacher I can help lead future generation towards self growth and personal empowerment.

Favorite Hobby: Board and video games

Alternate Career: Teaching

Favorite Drink: Coffee

College: University of Missouri-St. Louis,  2021

Experience: Three years

Motivation to Teach: A passion for helping students learn.

Favorite Hobby: Being creative

Alternate Career: Travel the world

College: University of South Florida, 2002

Experience: 21 years

Motivation to Teach: My final year in college I found something in the special education community that really drew me into education.

Favorite Hobby: Dogs

Alternate Career: Heavy Equipment Operator

Favorite Drink: Water

College: Lindenwood University, 2003

Experience: 10 years

Motivation to Teach: I’m excited to expand my experiences as a paraprofessional to the high school level.

Favorite Hobby: Spending time with my family

Alternate Career: Travel

Favorite Drink: Blue Powerade