HMC One Awards

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS:

1. The Communications and Community Engagement Department will solicit nominations from families, students, and community for each school.
2. Once the nomination form closes, Communications will organize and send all nominations to each school’s principal to review.
3. Each principal will decide how to select their school’s Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year. Some form of voting is suggested but not required.
4. Each school-level Teacher of the Year (TOY) will complete an online nomination form for the district-level recognition.
5. For building-level Support Person of the Year (SPOY), the principal will complete the nomination form for the district-level recognition.
6. Communications will select a nomination committee. The Committee will use a scoring rubric based on criteria established at the local, state and national level, to grade all building-level TOYS. Using a separate scoring rubric, the Committee will grade the school-level SPOYs.
7. Once all TOYs and SPOYs are graded, the Executive Leadership Team will review the top three TOYs and SPOYs to ensure there are no underlying potential issues. If potential issues are discovered, the next highest scoring candidate may be selected. ELT will finalize Top Finalists for each category.
8. All school-level TOYs and SPOYs will be honored at the 2025 HMC One Awards Reception at Ruskin High School, when the three Top Finalists will be announced.
9. Communications will coordinate a time for the Nomination Committee to attend classroom visits for TOYs, interviews for SPOYs, and observations for Leaders. The Committee will then finalize their decision for the final winner.
10. The three Top Finalists will be honored, along with the school-level TOYs and SPOYs, at the 2025 HMC One Awards Banquet at a location TBD; the winners of each category will be announced at this time.
11. The district-level TOY recipient will work with Communications to complete the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year nomination form.

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CLAUDETTE SCOTT DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR ELIGIBILITY:

• Each teacher nominated must hold a valid Missouri Teaching Certificate and be employed full-time in HMC-1.
• A teacher who has won the HMC-1 TOY cannot be nominated for the award again for two full academic years after their service as the TOY. (For instance, the 2019 winner cannot be nominated until 2023.)
• The teacher must have plans to remain teaching in HMC-1 during and after their year as the school system's TOY.
• The teacher must have demonstrated practice in effectively promoting performance with equity among ALL students.
• The teacher must be highly respected by students, parents, colleagues and the community.
• The teacher must be an effective public spokesperson (articulate, poised, self-confident, etc.)
• The teacher must be willing to commit to all expectations laid out for one year of service as the HMC-1 TOY

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BUILDING-LEVEL TEACHER OF THE YEAR CRITERIA:

• Will be returning to the HMC-1 District next school year.
• Must not have been placed on a performance plan within the last school year.
• Has not been named Building Teacher of the Year or Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year in the past two years.
• Be a full-time, returning teacher who regularly leads classes.
• Understands the concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline(s) he/she teaches.
• Understands how students learn, develop, and differ in their approaches to learning.
• Provides learning opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
• Supports the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
• Recognizes the importance of long-range planning and curriculum development.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum based upon standards and student needs.
• Exemplifies the use of culturally responsive teaching methods.
• Uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
• Creates a learning environment that encourages active engagement, social interaction, and motivation.
• Models effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques with students and parents.
• Understands and uses formative and summative assessment strategies to assess each learner's progress, plan instruction, monitor performance, and devise instruction to enable students to grow and develop.
• Is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others.
• Actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally in order to improve learning for all students.
• Engages in a variety of leadership roles.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Has effective working relationships with students, parents, school colleagues, and community members.

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CLAUDETTE SCOTT DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The HMC-1 Teacher of the Year serves as a spokesperson for the school system. This is a role that comes with enormous responsibility. The Teacher of the Year will find that many new doors will be open, and many new ears will hear his or her message concerning education issues. The Teacher of the Year represents the entire teaching profession in the Hickman Mills C-1 Schools.

The HMC-1 Teacher of the Year will be expected to fulfill the obligations inherent in this honor. Throughout the recognition year, the HMC-1 Teacher of the Year may be called on to:

• Serve as an advocate for students
• Work with local and state policy makers, business and community leaders, and others who shape public opinion to promote accurate perceptions of the realities of today’s classrooms
• Work with pre-service teachers
• Work at college/university career fairs to recruit young people to the teaching profession
• Speak with students about the education profession
• Use his/her voice to help shape education policy at the local and state level
• Serving on local and state advisory committees
• Serve as a conference and workshop presenter
• Serve as an educational consultant
• Attend a variety of local and state education meetings
• Apply as the HMC-1 nominee for the 2025 Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year Program
• Potentially attend the Missouri Teacher of the Year event if selected from the region
• Potentially attend the National Teacher of the Year Conference
• Potentially attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama
• Potentially attend the presidential ceremony in Washington, DC to honor all state Teachers of the Year

MILLIE HARNESS DISTRICT SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR:

The Support Person of the Year will recognize one building-level staff member who supports the ongoing mission of HMC-1 to maximize academic success and foster civic engagement. Through their support – whether it’s answering phones, keeping the building clean, providing emotional support, or other key programs and services – our students can thrive.

To nominate someone for the Millie Harness Support Person of the Year, use this Google form. Nominations are due by Friday, March 7, 2025. Once nominations are received, we will email selected support personnel with congratulations and with information about the Employee Recognition Celebration.

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MILLIE HARNESS DISTRICT SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR CRITERIA INCLUDES:

• Nominees must have completed a minimum of three years employment within the district.
• Nominees must not have been placed on a performance plan within the last year.
• Nominees must have 90% or better attendance.
• Full-time employee of the district
• The nominee demonstrates an unwavering commitment to students' overall well-being, actively contributing to creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment within the school district.
• The nominee collaborates effectively with colleagues, fostering a sense of teamwork.
• The nominee exhibits outstanding problem-solving skills.
• The nominee's efforts have resulted in a positive impact on the overall success of the school district.
• The nominee possesses strong communication skills.
• The nominee demonstrates adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges.

 

HMC LEADER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS:

1. The Communications and Community Engagement Department will solicit nominations from faculty and staff for each school and the administration center.
2. Communications will select a nomination committee. Using a separate scoring rubric, the Committee will grade all Leader nominations.
3. Once all nominations are graded, the Executive Leadership Team will review the top three Leaders to ensure there are no underlying potential issues. If potential issues are discovered, the next highest scoring candidate may be selected. ELT will finalize Top Finalists for the category.
4. During the 2025 HMC One Awards Reception at Ruskin High School, the three HMC Leaders of the Year Finalists will be announced.
5. The three Top Finalists will be honored, along with the school-level TOYs and SPOYs, at the 2025 HMC One Awards Banquet at a location TBD when the winners will be announced.

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HMC LEADER OF THE YEAR CRITERIA INCLUDES:

• HMC Leader of the Year was designed to recognize an outstanding leader within an organization – principal, vice principal, instructional coach, director, assistant director, manager, etc.
• Executive Leadership, Executive Director, and others cannot be considered for the Leader of the Year recognition.
• Will be returning to the HMC-1 District next school year.
• Actively seeks opportunities to develop professionally to improve learning for all students.
• Engages in a variety of leadership roles.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Has effective working relationships with students, parents, school colleagues, and community members.
• Nominees must have completed at least three years of employment within the district.
• Nominees must not have been placed on a performance plan within the last year.
• Nominees must have 90% or better attendance.

Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year Winner:

• Julie Pierce
  Librarian/Media Specialist
  Truman Elementary

 

 

 

 

Millie Harness District Support Person of the Year Winner:

• Tamika Oliver
  Family Support Liaison
  Hickman Mills Middle School 8th Grade Center

 

 

 

 

HMC-1 Leader of the Year Winner:

• Dr. Chad Ryerson
  Principal
  Hickman Mills Middle School 6th & 7th Grade Center

 

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Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year Finalists:

• Dana Troumbley, Secondary Credit Recovery/Sped, Burke Academy
• Dr. Yvette Hayes, Fifth Grade, Ingels Elementary
• Julie Pierce, Librarian/Media Specialist, Truman Elementary

 

Millie Harness District Support Person of the Year Finalists:

• Darlene Ford-Conway, Paraprofessional, Dobbs Elementary
• Tamika Oliver, Family Support Liaison, Hickman Mills Middle School 8th Grade Center
• Edith Monday, Paraprofessional, Warford Elementary

 

HMC-1 Leader of the Year Finalists:

• Dr. Chad Ryerson, Principal, Hickman Mills Middle School 6th & 7th Grade Center
• Ryan Beatty, Principal, Burke Academy
• Dana Tiller, Assistant Principal, Ingels Elementary

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Building-Level Teacher of the Year Honorees:

• Dana Troumbley, Secondary Credit Recovery/Sped, Burke Academy
• Kenda Taylor, Kindergarten, Compass Elementary
• Teresa Mullens, Secondary English Language Arts, Crittenton Children’s Center
• Eileen Neeley, First Grade, Dobbs Elementary
• Brittany Benavidez, Pre-K, Ervin Elementary
• Jasmine Smith, Pre-K, Freda Markley Early Childhood Center
• Theresa Huke-Gaa, Seventh Grade Math, Hickman Mills Middle School 6th & 7th Grade Center
• Denise Stafos, Social Studies, Hickman Mills Middle School 8th Grade Center
• Dr. Yvette Hayes, Fifth Grade, Ingels Elementary
• Amber Creagh, Second Grade, Millennium at Santa Fe Elementary
• Julie Diehl, Science, Ruskin High School
• Julie Pierce, Librarian/Media Specialist, Truman Elementary
• Kaye Ellis, Fourth Grade, Warford Elementary

 

Building-Level Support Person of the Year Honorees:

• Anita Watson, Behavior Interventionist, Burke Academy
• Lucious Mondaine, Building Substitute, Compass Elementary
• Cheryl Cobb, SPED Paraprofessional, Crittenton Children’s Center
• Darlene Ford-Conway, Paraprofessional, Dobbs Elementary
• Michelle Baskin-Thurmond, Lunch Aide/LINC, Ervin Elementary
• Aundrea Slider, Paraprofessional, Freda Markley Early Childhood Center
• Ethella Bennett, Registrar, Hickman Mills Middle School 6th & 7th Grade Center
• Tamika Oliver, Family Support Liaison, Hickman Mills Middle School 8th Grade Center
• Willie Spencer, Paraprofessional, Ingels Elementary
• Tyson Loy, Counselor, Millennium at Santa Fe Elementary
• Isabel Mendez Martinez, Translator, Ruskin High School
• Terre Hunter, Paraprofessional, Truman Elementary
• Edith Monday, Paraprofessional, Warford Elementary

Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year Winner:

• Todd Barney
  Project Lead the Way
  Ruskin High School

 

 

 

 

Millie Harness District Support Person of the Year Winner:

• Edsel Edwards
  Family School Liaison
  Millennium At Santa Fe Elementary

 

 

 

 

HMC-1 Leader of the Year Winner:

• Heather Hadley
  Instructional Coach
  Warford Elementary

 

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Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year Finalists:

• Britney McCool, 6th Grade Science, 6th Grade Center
• Karen Boldridge, Fourth Grade, Ervin Elementary
• Todd Barney, Project Lead the Way, Ruskin High School

 

Millie Harness District Support Person of the Year Finalists:

• Billie Jackson, Head Custodian, 6th Grade Center

• Belinda Ritter, Family School Liaison, Ingels Elementary

• Edsel Edwards, Family School Liaison, Millennium At Santa Fe Elementary

 

HMC-1 Leader of the Year Finalists:

• Dr. Chad Ryerson, Principal, Hickman Mills Middle School 6th & 7th Grade Center

• Ryan Beatty, Principal, Burke Academy

• Heather Hadley, Instructional Coach, Warford Elementary

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Building-Level Teacher of the Year Honorees:

• Britney McCool, 6th Grade Science, 6th Grade Center

• Nathan Gulliford, Crittenton Math/Pbl/Pe, Burke Academy

• Molly Hayde, Kindergarten, Compass Elementary

• Lesley Cook, Kindergarten, Dobbs Elementary

• Karen Boldridge, Fourth Grade, Ervin Elementary

• Julie Carleton, Pre-K, Freda Markley Early Childhood Center

• Erica Smead, First Grade, Ingels Elementary

• Jessica Finley, Kindergarten, Millennium At Santa Fe Elementary

• Todd Barney, Project Lead the Way, Ruskin High School

• Lucille Lee, Project Lead the Way, Smith-Hale Middle School

• Markeeda Riley, First Grade, Truman Elementary

• Tracee Tidwell, Special Education, Warford Elementary

 

Building-Level Support Person of the Year Honorees:

• Billie Jackson, Head Custodian, 6th Grade Center
• Susan Price, Administrative Assistant, Burke Academy
• Kim Benavides, Cafeteria Manager, Compass Elementary
• Jonathan Lenore, Head Custodian, Dobbs Elementary
• Edward Chaddock, Paraprofessional, Ervin Elementary
• Sherry Harms, Paraprofessional, Freda Markley Early Childhood Center
• Belinda Ritter, Family School Liaison, Ingels Elementary
• Edsel Edwards, Family School Liaison, Millennium At Santa Fe Elementary
• Jacqui Rose, Receptionist, Ruskin High School
• Derriesha Thompson, Principal’s Secretary, Smith-Hale Middle School
• Lavita Hawkins, Lunch Aide and Linc, Truman Elementary
• Brenda Tippie, Counselor, Warford Elementary