Joplin, MO (SNS) – Two recent School of Education graduates have been recognized as Outstanding Beginning Teachers by the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE).
Whitney Triplett, ’14, a business education major, and Jordan Hern, ’14, elementary education, were both selected for the honor. They received their awards during a luncheon held on Wednesday, March 4, as part of the association’s spring conference in Jefferson City.
Triplett teaches Business Technology, Web Design, Desktop Publishing and Introduction to Business at Seneca High School; while Hern is teaches fifth grade (including reading, math, social studies and science) at Noel Elementary.
MACTE accepts nominations for the awards every two years. Member institutions may nominate up to two first- or second-year teachers. The association requires feedback from faculty, student teaching supervisor and cooperating teacher during their student teaching. A letter of recommendation from the hiring principal regarding their performance during their first year is also required.
In his letter of support to the association, Seneca High School Principal wrote that Triplett “has a great rapport with her students, is knowledgeable in her subject and does a remarkable job of communicating that knowledge. (She) seems to be beyond her years in terms of her maturity and abilities, and due to her interactions with students, her delivery of material and her professionalism, one would never know she’s a first-year teacher.”
Rebecca Gallemore, associate professor of teacher education at Missouri Southern, wrote in her support letter that “Hern is organized, patient, determined, funny, caring, thorough and driven to succeed … her goal is to make a difference in her students’ lives and enjoy their ‘ah-ha moments’ along the way. Ms. Hern will affect many children in a positive way for years to come.”
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