The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and Liberty are pleased to announce that nominations were received for 52 Joplin educators for the 2025 Golden Apple Awards!
For 40 years, the Golden Apple Awards have recognized excellence in the teaching profession and informed the public of exceptional quality of instruction in the Joplin community. The individuals listed below were nominated by students, parents, and peers in Joplin’s public and private schools.
Judging for each category will take place this month. All nominees and the individuals who nominated them will be recognized during a reception on Monday, May 5 at Missouri Southern State University’s Corley Auditorium. The awardees from each category will also be announced during the program.
The nominees are:
Kindergarten to Second Grade
| Anne Compton | Irving Elementary School |
| Jonathan Gardner | Royal Heights Elementary School |
| Heather Housh | Soaring Heights Elementary School |
| Stephanie Lynch | Soaring Heights Elementary School |
| Sylvia Neal | Stapleton Elementary School |
| Kiley Siebenaler | Dover Hill Elementary School |
| Michele Silvey | New Heights Christian Academy |
| Kelsey Vene | Cecil Floyd Elementary School |
Third to Fifth Grade
| Mary Arnold | Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School |
| Deborah Brill | McKinley Elementary School |
| Jacci Connell | St. Mary’s Elementary School |
| Whitney Cummings | Jefferson Elementary School |
| Erin Geeding | McKinley Elementary School |
| Hannah Horn | Cecil Floyd Elementary School |
| Michelle Hunter | Soaring Heights Elementary School |
| Roxcee McCully | Soaring Heights Elementary School |
| Elise Murphy | Soaring Heights Elementary School |
| Amy Phillips | New Heights Christian Academy |
| Terryle Pullum | Soaring Heights Elementary School |
| Diane Schiermeyer | New Heights Christian Academy |
| Morgan Secrist | Kelsey Norman Elementary School |
| Debi Staton | St. Mary’s Elementary School |
| Jessica Vacca | Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School |
| Hannah Young | Stapleton Elementary |
Sixth to Eighth Grade
| Elise Ashworth | North Middle School |
| Rachel Bowyer | South Middle School |
| Brock Compton | East Middle School |
| Jason Cryer | North Middle School |
| Charles Curtis | Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School |
| Andrea Day | North Middle School |
| Caleb Durr | South Middle School |
| Nina English | East Middle School |
| Sam Erisman | South Middle School |
| Michelle Friskey | North Middle School |
| Michelle Hamlin | New Heights Christian Academy |
| Ann Landrum | New Heights Christian Academy |
| Angela Mense | East Middle School |
| Tyler Midyett | North Middle School |
| Marissa Mitchell | East Middle School |
| Linda Norwood | South Middle School |
| Daphne Payne | South Middle School |
| Nicole Peters | South Middle School |
| Katie Rattles | East Middle School |
| George Richardson | East Middle School |
| Katheleen Schrader | South Middle School |
| Jessica Sewing | East Middle School |
| Morgan Smith | South Middle School |
| Lara Stamper | East Middle School |
| Deborah Zellmer | South Middle School |
Ninth to Twelfth Grade
| Brad Douglas | Joplin High School |
| Janet Parker-Spain | Roi S. Wood |
Congratulations to all the teachers who were nominated! The Chamber would like to thank the students and parents who took the time to nominate these educators. And a special thank you to our title sponsor, Liberty, and our presenting sponsor, Missouri Southern State University’s Teacher Education Department.
Reference:
Erin Slifka, Vice President
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
417.624.4150
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