The St. Joseph School District recently announced that Stacia Studer, a Bode Middle School English Language Arts teacher has been named a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year for northwest Missouri.

Studer has worked in the St. Joseph School District for 15 years.

“We are thrilled to have Stacia representing the St. Joseph School District as a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year,” said Dr. Robert Newhart, SJSD superintendent. “She is very deserving and sets a great example as a leader in our district and throughout the area.”

According to a news release, the Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year award is part of the Missouri Teacher of the Year program, sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The Missouri Teacher of the Year program recognizes the efforts of effective teachers in providing a quality education to their students. Preparing, developing and supporting effective educators is one of DESE’s primary goals.

Studer is eligible to compete for Missouri Teacher of the Year for 2017-18. The selection committee, comprised of teachers, business leaders and education organization leaders, will choose the Missouri Teacher of the Year following interviews with each finalist this fall. The winner and the finalists will be honored at a banquet in October in Jefferson City. The new Missouri Teacher of the Year will serve as the state’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year competition.