For this month’s #TeacherProud Tuesday we are spotlighting these members:
Ash Grove
Mrs. Kelsey Epperson, Elementary Art Mrs. Kelsey Epperson, our PK-6th Grade Art Teacher, brings creativity, joy, and a positive spirit into everything she does. Mrs. Epperson is known for her upbeat and optimistic attitude, which inspires both students and staff alike. Her dedication shines through each year as she helps students prepare incredible pieces for our annual Spring Showcase. Art class is a favorite among students, thanks to the engaging, welcoming environment she creates. She approaches every challenge with a smile and never hesitates to go the extra mile. We’re grateful to have such a passionate and encouraging educator on our team. Congratulations, Mrs. Epperson and thank you for all you do!
Mountain View-Birch Tree
This month we are excited to recognize Mrs. Holden as our Liberty Eagles Teacher Proud Tuesday spotlight! Mrs. Holden has been a part of the Mountain View-Birch Tree School District family since 1994. Over the years, she has touched countless lives through her dedication, passion, and love for teaching. Her commitment continues to make a lasting difference in our students’ learning and in their futures. Thank you, Mrs. Holden, for all you do for our students, families, and school community!
Poplar Bluff
Our spotlight showcases two schools, Mark Twain Alternative School and Poplar Bluff R-1 Kindergarten Center, both of which were displaced by an EF-3 tornado that damaged our campuses in March 2025. The entire district pulled together to help move the teachers and students to other facilities to finish the 2024-2025 school district. We are collectively thrilled that they were able to get back into their repaired buildings for the opening of the 2025-2026 school year!
Kaylea Mullen, Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center Teacher Q: How do you feel about being back in our kindergarten building after the tornado? A: I LOVE it!!!! I am so thankful we are back at home and have our school family together again in one building! Thank you to all the workers and administrators that made it happen!
Jenna Isom, Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center Teacher Q: How do you feel about being back in our kindergarten building after the tornado? A: It’s really nice to be back in the building because we are all back together rather than being in separate buildings. Overall, having a big space for all students and staff to come together each day is so important and rewarding.
Robyn Dickerson, Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center Teacher Q: How do you feel about being back in our kindergarten building after the tornado? A: I am thankful that we got the alternative school so we could stay together, but I am very thankful that we are back in our building. Just to be in our building with excitement on the kids’ faces when they came into their school was a wonderful sight and I know the parents were excited as well as the teachers. It was a lot of work to get our rooms ready, but it was so worth it seeing the kids and parents' faces as they came in at Open House.
Cody Tyler, Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center Teacher Q: What are you most excited about this new school year? A: Knowing that I have a good support system and being back in our building.
Madison Ray, Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center Teacher Q: What are you most excited about this new school year? A: I’m excited to see the growth in students from the beginning of the year to the ending of the year in Kindergarten.
Join the Celebration
The purpose of the Teacher Proud Tuesday campaign is to lift up and celebrate the profession and those currently serving, to recruit and inspire candidates to consider teaching, and to inform communities, business leaders and policymakers on the importance of public education.
🌟 Check out the Teacher Proud Page and Toolkit to learn more.
🔦 If your District would like to be spotlighted by GOCSD please contact Janetta Garton.