Excelsior Springs, Mo. – The Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) recently announced that Katie Boone, a second-year educator with the Excelsior Springs School District (ESSD), was honored with the Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award.
According to MACTE, the award recognizes teachers in their first two years of service who demonstrate excellence while providing students with the education and support they need. MACTE is a state affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and represents educator preparation programs throughout Missouri.
Katie was nominated based on recommendations from Missouri teacher education programs and Dr. Brant Winn, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Health Professions in Parkville, Missouri.
“I had Dr. Winn as a professor for most of my time at Park University,” Katie said. “He had been following my career at Excelsior Springs High School and reached out to the principal, Dr. Sara Wickham, to confirm that I would be a good recipient of the award.”
When Katie learned she had not only been nominated but selected to receive the Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award, she said she was shocked to be recognized at such a high level as an educator. She added, “This award has brought me an immense sense of pride in my teaching abilities.”
Early in her career, Katie said she chose to become a teacher because of the impact her own teachers had on her growing up in Excelsior Springs. Some of those educators, according to Katie, were both impactful and insightful, helping to shape her into the person she is today.
After graduating from Excelsior Springs High School, Katie attended Maple Woods Community College, where she participated in the A+ Program before transferring to Park University to continue her education. Looking back on her journey, Katie said, “My collegiate journey is one I share with pride, as I view community college as a gateway for most students to determine if their life path involves college.”
Her path ultimately led her back home, where she took a teaching position within ESSD. She said she was drawn to the school district because of the faculty and staff’s commitment to working together for the betterment of students, describing a sense of teamwork and dedication she doesn’t believe exists elsewhere.
“The amount of time and care teachers in ESSD put into building our students in both their academics and self-esteem is immeasurable. There was no way I was missing out on the chance to be a part of the magic,” she said.
Now, two years into her career and having received the prestigious Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award, Katie credits her success to many, including Kristal Reeves and Katrina Yoakum. She worked as a student teacher alongside both women, and their influence left a lasting impression.
Reeves and Yoakum provided Katie with invaluable instruction and mentorship. “They were the most student-centered teachers you could ever meet, spending countless hours helping students work through the challenges of life while trying to fit in history and English lessons,” she said.
Katie also shared that her fellow teacher, Jessica Evert, has played an essential role during her first two years at Excelsior Springs High School, acting as both a mentor and content partner.
“I could not have asked for a better partner to tackle the first years of my career. Jessica is an educator who understands how to beautifully craft lessons and units to help students understand the concepts, all while introducing them to something new and intriguing. I could not be the teacher I am today without the guidance and support of these three phenomenal teachers and women,” she said.
With her first two years of teaching behind her and the award in hand, Katie said she plans to continue growing by improving her skills and collaborating with “some of the best educators in the field.” She said ESSD offers countless professional development opportunities, and she intends to take full advantage of them while learning from the successes of her colleagues.
Winning the award has boosted Katie’s confidence. She admitted she’s not someone who readily accepts compliments or applause, but the recognition has made her rethink the value of those affirmations.
“Going forward, I think I will feel more confident in sharing my ideas for the classroom and education as a whole,” she said.
For now, Katie remains committed to her current goals and aspirations. She said she’s striving to stay open-minded to the “ebbs and flows of education” as she continues seeking ways to grow and improve her teaching strategies to meet each student’s unique needs.
“Our community can continue to encourage and uplift our educators to ensure we have thriving students throughout the district. The community is the bedrock for the culture that is set in each building that our students walk into. It is pivotal to have community support to continue strengthening the work and success of our educators,” Katie said.
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