DESE Announces Finalists for 2026 Teacher of the Year

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo— The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is excited to announce that seven educators have advanced as finalists for the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year award.

The finalists are:

• Aubrey Shortino, Lee's Summit R-VII — Trailridge Elementary, Kindergarten
• Danielle O'Neil, Springfield Public Schools —Sherwood Elementary, K-5 Physical Education
• Kimberly Sixta, Hickman Mills C-1 — Ruskin High School, Grades 10-12 Social Studies
• Matthew Kennedy, Kirksville R-III — Kirksville High School, Social Studies
• Melissa Maness, Special School District St. Louis Co. — South Technical High School, Grades 11-12 Culinary Arts
• Stephanie Gladbach, Salisbury R-IV — Salisbury High School, Business
• Timothy G. Ryan, Ferguson Florissant R-II —McCluer North High School, English Language Arts

A committee comprised of teachers, business leaders, and education organization officials will choose the Missouri Teacher of the Year following interviews with each finalist in the coming weeks. The winner, finalists, semi-finalists, and Regional Teachers of the Year will be honored during a recognition event on October 27. The new Missouri Teacher of the Year will serve as the state’s nominee for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.

“Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year finalists,” Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger said. “We know that the quality of the educator has a direct impact on the success of our students. We are so grateful to live in a state where nearly 70,000 public school educators work each day to ensure Missouri students receive the best education possible. It’s important to remember to celebrate the hard work our educators do inside and outside of the classroom.”

The Missouri Teacher of the Year program recognizes the efforts of effective teachers, working tirelessly to provide a high-quality education to their students. Jennifer Jones, an English teacher at Lee’s Summit West High School in the Lee’s Summit R-VII School District, is the current 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year.