On March 27th, at the spring conference of the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE), Ms. Tawar Khalandi and Ms. Shamara Moore were recognized as two of Missouri’s Outstanding Beginning Teachers.
Our first award winner, Ms. Khalandi, is a graduate of the The Educator Academy and is currently teaching middle school math at the Ewing Marion Kauffman School. Tawar has developed into a teacher that prioritizes connecting with her students, holding them to high expectations, demonstrating and modeling growth mindset and creating a love of learning.
Our second award winner, Ms. Moore, is also a graduate of the The Educator Academy and is currently teaching middle school English Language Arts at KIPP Endeavor Academy. Shamara pushes herself to excellence and demands the same from her students. She works with students on building confidence in their skills and their willingness to contribute to classroom discussions.
The Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) is a state affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and represents the educator preparation programs across the state. The Outstanding Beginning Teacher Awards recognize teachers in their first two years of service who demonstrate excellence in serving children in school districts across Missouri. Sixty-seven of the approximately 8,000 teachers who were certified in the last two years received engraved glass apples for their dedication and service to Missouri’s schools and communities. Award recipients were selected based on recommendations from Missouri’s state and nationally recognized teacher education programs, and a recommendation from candidates’ school districts.
The ceremony was held at the Courtyard by Marriott Conference Center in Columbia, Missouri, and was hosted by MACTE President Dr. Beth Kania-Gosche and Past-President Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, as well as members of the MACTE Executive Board. MACTE recognizes the contribution of these extraordinary teachers, as well as all of our excellent, highly qualified teachers throughout Missouri who serve and educate our students.