Jennifer Jones, an English teacher at West High School in the Lee’s Summit School District, was officially recognized as the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Jones, and 2025 Teacher of the Year Finalists on their achievements. Missouri NEA is so proud of and happy for you!
DESE presented updates on the Literacy Initiatives and reported on data from the foundational reading data from K-3 students in the state of Missouri. This specific literacy data–reported out with Science of Reading pillars–has never before been available at the state level. This report and literacy work in classrooms is a result of Senate Bill 681, which was passed in 2022 (170.014 RSMo & 167.645 RSMo). Read the full MNEA report to see what the data shows and DESE’s interpretation of the results.
The MNEA Resolution regarding Reading Instruction and Intervention fully supports the efforts of literacy occurring in classrooms state-wide and support coming from the Department as a result of the 2022 reading legislation (B-7).
Pam Thomas, Assistant Commissioner in the Office of Childhood, gave an update on the status of the Child Care Subsidy program that the Department oversees. The Office of Childhood stated that they are nearing the end of the issues that they have been experiencing and hope to be entirely caught up and in maintenance mode by the end of November 2024.
MNEA believes in the establishment of fully funded early childhood education programs in public schools for children birth through age eight (B-1).
Paul Katnik, Assistant Commissioner of Educator Quality, gave an update regarding the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) initiatives and upcoming changes. The Association also believes that requirements for admission into a college of education program should be rigorous yet flexible enough to allow admittance to those who demonstrate potential for effective practice (D-3).
The State Board Legislative Committee presented their Legislative Priorities draft for approval by the State Board ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session.
- Additional Items of Note
- Consideration of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Adopt 5 CSR 29-100.360, Quality Assurance Report for early childhood centers.
- The State Board Approved a Charter School Application for Friendly Academy in St. Louis. Missouri
- Report on Financially Stressed School Districts and Charter Schools reveals no financially distressed districts or charter schools in Missouri.
MNEA believes that every student and educator deserves the best experience possible in schools. That is why we are the only educational organization that is consistently present at every meeting of DESE, the state board of education, and the Missouri Legislature. We are your eyes and ears where decisions are being made about your schools when you cannot be.
The next meeting of the Missouri State Board of Education will be held on December 3, 2024, at the Special Olympics building in Jefferson City, Missouri. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Samantha Hayes at 800-392-0236 or Samantha.Hayes@mnea.org.
The monthly State Board Reports are also available in Podcast form at MNEA Connects. Listen on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podbean, or Spotify.
