This is a continuation of a monthly series from the Network for Educator Effectiveness. We share the accomplishments, creativity, and good news of our partner districts based on schools’ social media activity. Our hope is to spread positivity and bring even more attention to the amazing work happening in NEE schools. 

Graphic image with social media reaction icons and text that reads "Social NEE-dia School Spotlight"

There was much to celebrate during the month of October including National School Principals Month, National Custodian Appreciation Day (October 2), World Teachers Day (October 5), National School Bus Safety Week, and Red Ribbon Week.  A big “thank you” to our principals, teachers, custodians, and bus drivers for their hard work and dedication throughout the school year.   

While we celebrated these wonderful groups of professionals in October, other individuals were recently recognized for their achievements.      

  • Phelps County R-3 received the 2024 Outstanding Rural School District Award from the Missouri Association of Rural Education!  
  • Dave Schmitz from Lebanon was named the 2025 Missouri Superintendent of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA)!   

A great deal of interesting events goes on in NEE school buildings.  A quick look at just a few of those that happened in October: 

  • Nixa Public Schools announced the grand opening of the world’s first aeroponic farm of its kind, designed to set a template for other communities to adopt. Backed by the USDA, this initiative will utilize cutting-edge vertical farming technology. 
  • Mount Vernon High School announced it will celebrate 50 years of women’s sports as members of the 1974 girls track, golf, basketball and tennis teams will be recognized November 25.   
  • And finally, fall sports will be concluding soon.  Congratulations to all student-athletes who have performed so well this year.  Many have been or will soon be crowned champions at the conference, district, and state levels. 

While we can’t highlight everything, we do want to recognize all of our outstanding schools for the work administrators, teachers, support staff, and students are doing each and every day.  Watch for our next blog coming in November as we will continue to celebrate NEE schools. 

The Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) is a simple yet powerful comprehensive system for educator evaluation that helps educators grow, students learn, and schools improve. Developed by preK-12 practitioners and experts at the University of Missouri, NEE brings together classroom observation, student feedback, teacher curriculum planning, and professional development as measures of effectiveness in a secure online portal designed to promote educator growth and development.