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The St. Joseph School District Surprise Patrol consisting of administrators and staff visited six staff members this morning with the sound of musical instruments, cheers, and good news of their selection as finalists for SJSD Teacher of the Year or SJSD Support Person of the Year.
Teacher of the Year Finalists:
Trisha Campbell – Oak Grove Elementary (5th grade teacher)
Douglas Snider – Robidoux Middle School (social studies teacher)
Jessica Timmons – Hosea Elementary (5th grade teacher)
Support Person of the Year Finalists:
Melissa Corey – Robidoux Middle School (library media specialist)
Rick Weiser – Hillyard Technical School (career services coordinator)
Carol Stephenson – Benton High School (nurse)
Each school building nominated a Teacher and Support Person of the Year. In addition, schools could also nominate individuals for Innovator and Volunteer of the Year. The Administration building, Operations and Troester Media Center also nominated support persons. The finalists are selected from the total pool of nominees from each school and buildings.
One winner selected from each of four categories will be announced at the Annual Tribute to Teachers and Staff Banquet on April 20. The event sponsored by the St. Joseph School District and the St. Joseph School District Foundation and will be held on the campus of Missouri Western State University.
Teacher of the Year Finalists:
Trisha Campbell – Oak Grove Elementary (fifth grade teacher)
Trisha Campbell has 22 years of teaching experience. She began her career with the St. Joseph School District as an ESOL tutor. She has been a teacher at Lindbergh, Coleman, and the Virtual Academy. She was a VIPKid Teacher Students Learning English in China for three years and joined the Oak Grove staff in 2014. According to Ms. Campbell, “Teaching is hard and exciting. Teaching is ever changing and continual. Teaching is draining and reinvigorating. Teaching is a calling, and it is my calling!”
Douglas Snider – Robidoux Middle School (social studies teacher)
Douglas Snider has 10 years of teaching experience. Snider started as a special education teacher at Robidoux in 2013 and currently teaches 7th & 8th grade social studies at Robidoux. According to Snide
“I am a creative and energetic teacher. My classroom is lively and dynamic. My sense of humor, singing and rapping on occasion create a fun learning environment. Students learn in a variety of ways, and I prepare lessons and plan with no two days to be the same.”
Jessica Timmons – Hosea Elementary (fifth grade teacher)
Jessica Timmons has nine years of teaching experience. She started as a fourth-grade teacher at Lake Contrary Elementary. She has been an ELA teacher, summer school site director, and currently teaches fifth grade at Hosea Elementary. According to Timmons, “Teaching is my one true passion. It allows creativity, continuous improvement, collaboration, and a desire to make a difference. Education is the foundation of all other careers, and in order to be successful, it takes practice, reflection, patience, and grace. I also believe great teachers do not desire to only teach content; they want to help make the world a better place.”
Support Person of the Year Finalists:
Melissa Corey – Robidoux Middle School (library media specialist)
Melissa has been with SJSD for 14 years, she is married with children. She is involved with MASL and founded Missouri Allies of School Librarians. She was once named twenty of Who Count in St. Joseph. Corey was recently selected as a 2023 School Librarian of the Year finalist by Scholastic Inc.
Rick Weiser – Hillyard Technical School (career services coordinator)
Rick is a product of SJSD. He is married to his wife, Amy, and they have three children. Rick has been with SJSD for three years. In addition to this, Rick has owned an area dry-cleaning business for 30 years. Rick previously served on the Inter Serv Board of Directors.
Carol Stephenson – Benton High School (nurse)
Carol Stephenson has been a nurse at BHS for 13.5 years. She is a product of SJSD and has been married for 25 years. Carol loves KU basketball, KC Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs. She loves to ride her motorcycle whenever she can. Carol is a member of the MASN (Missouri Association of School Nurses).