GOCSD is thrilled to celebrate five outstanding Missouri educators who were named 2026 Pioneers in Education by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The honorees were recognized during a commemorative luncheon at the 65th Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators in Osage Beach, where more than 500 school leaders gathered to celebrate their lasting impact on public education across our state.
The Pioneer in Education award has been presented by Missouri state education officials for more than 50 years, honoring teachers, school administrators, citizens, and lawmakers whose distinguished careers have helped shape and strengthen Missouri's public school system. Recipients are chosen for their lasting influence on education policy, practice, and student success — and their example continues to inspire educators across the state.
We're especially proud to congratulate Dr. Dennis Cooper who many of you know well as GOCSD's own inaugural Executive Director. Dr. Cooper led our organization for six years before retiring in 2021 and continues to support GOCSD today as Executive Director Emeritus. Over more than 50 years in Missouri education, he has served as a teacher, counselor, coach, principal, superintendent, DESE leader, and professor. GOCSD would not be what it is today without his leadership, and we're so grateful this milestone honor recognizes a career of service that our members have benefited from firsthand.
Joining Dr. Cooper as this year's honorees are four more remarkable Missourians whose careers reflect the very best of our profession:
Richard "Rich" Eichorst of Lemay served 31 years at Hancock Place School District as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, and assistant superintendent.
Denise Fredrick of Springfield spent nearly 40 years in public education as a teacher, district leader, university instructor, and school board member.
Janie Gray of Green City has served children and families for more than 50 years — as a Rich Hill teacher, a Head Start director across nine counties, a 27-year health/PE teacher, and 20 years with the Missouri SPIN Blind program — while also supporting Parents as Teachers, school athletics, and community book box projects.
Tammy Ridgeway of Lawson has spent 37 years in education across five districts in two states, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent, and professor, and now mentors teachers and leaders with the St. Louis Regional Professional Development Center Plus.
Congratulations to all five of this year's Pioneers in Education honorees! GOCSD is grateful for the decades of dedication, mentorship, and heart that each of you has brought to Missouri's classrooms and communities. Your service has strengthened public education for generations of students.