Rachel Stanton and Mark Staten were nominated as Teachers of the Year for the Northwest Missouri Region.

Northwest Missouri Regional Professional Development Center recently recognized teachers in the region as “Teachers of the Year.” Colin Pettegrew (St. Joseph School District) and Todd Shifflet (King City School District) were selected as the two Regional Teachers of the Year for the Northwest Region. Among the teachers nominated were Mark Staten, a teacher at Tarkio R-I, and Rachel Stanton, a teacher at Rock Port R-II. Other teachers recognized were Rachel Brickey (Craig R-III), Ashley Schmitz (Mid-Buchanan R-V), Lori Leeper (Nodaway-Holt R-VII), Carrie Coulter (Northeast Nodaway R-V), Heather Stoecklein (Maryville R-II), Peri Witmer (Cowgill R-6), and Deb Henggeler (North Andrew R-VI). All were honored September 28, 2021, by the Northwest RPDC with a reception at Northwest Missouri State University.

MARK STATEN

This is Mark’s 28th year of teaching: five in Maryville, six in Fairfax, and 17 in Tarkio. Mark and his wife, Lori (THS 6-8 math teacher of 29 years), have three children: Gentri, Bryli and Quin.

Mark graduated from NWMSU in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Education with a minor in social studies, and in 1998 with a Master’s in Elementary Administration. He later was state approved to teach English/Language Arts in grades 7-12. Currently, he teaches 7, 8, and 9 ELA and ACT Test Prep. He is the co-sponsor of the Class of 2022 with Lori, and coaches the junior high and high school Academic Teams. He is also the THS National Honor Society sponsor.

“As a teacher, I want the Staten Kids [the students he teaches] to know the value of an education and not take it for granted that we are able to provide that in America. Staten Kids want to be in class, have a positive attitude, care about others, while gaining the best education possible.”

RACHEL STANTON

Rachel is a Tarkio High School graduate who lives in Rock Port with her husband, Jay, and three boys, Cass, Collin, and Cane. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Language Arts. She received her Master’s Degree in Reading from Northwest in 2016.

This is Rachel’s 10th year teaching. She taught 5th grade for three years at Lindbergh Elementary in the St. Joseph School District. She then taught 3rd grade for three years in the Mound City School District.  This is now her fourth year teaching 4th grade at Rock Port Elementary.

Rachel said, “I am truly honored to be nominated for this opportunity. To make it even better, I got to stand beside one of my very own elementary teachers, Mr.  Staten, who helped me become the teacher that I am today.”