Jefferson Elementary's Melissa Thomas named regional Teacher of the Year

For Melissa Thomas, educating students is all about building relationships.

Thomas, who teaches second grade at Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, was recently named the regional Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or DESE, and said she was shocked to receive the honor.

“There are so many wonderful teachers out there,” Thomas said.

And Thomas works with both her fellow teachers and the students to build exciting, fun experiences, she said.

“When the students are excited about learning, it’s powerful,” she said.

So, she finds what her students are interested in, and goes with that. That way, they’re more likely to be more successful.

And, she said, for a big idea, she works with the other teachers on her team at Jefferson to take it further.

For the last few years, Thomas has taught Holidays Around the World in December, and this past school year, she got with the other second-grade teacher, who is from Spain, and took it up a notch.

The entire team of teachers got involved, too, she said, as well as principal Leigh Ragsdale.

Students were given “passports,” as if they were flying to visit the countries, Thomas said, and Ragsdale was there to stamp the passports.

Then, international Southeast Missouri State University students from several nations gave presentations to the Jefferson students on customs in their home countries.

“I learned a lot just from sitting in, and the kids were so excited,” Thomas said. “It was a great learning experience.”

For her part, Ragsdale could write a book about everything she could say about Thomas.

“I think there are 71,000 teachers in the state, and she’s one of 34 chosen,” Ragsdale said. “That is just incredible.”

Saying she goes above and beyond is a serious understatement, Ragsdale said.

“She creates the most incredible experiences for her students,” Ragsdale said. “As a leader, it’s incredible for me to work with someone like that, to be able to say ‘yes’ and support her.”

That’s just a tiny glimpse into the kind of person and educator Thomas is, Ragsdale said.

“When an educator’s efforts and hard work are brought to light like this, that is something to really celebrate,” Ragsdale said.

“I really do love my job,” Thomas said.

From here, Thomas is eligible to apply for the state Teacher of the Year award, to be announced in September, according to www.dese.mo.gov.