Speicher is Missouri Outstanding Beginning Teacher

For the second time in as many years, a teacher from Franklin Elementary School has been named Missouri Outstanding Beginning Teacher during the spring conference of the Missouri Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (MACTE). Pictured receiving an engraved plaque at Columbia, MO, is Elizabeth Speicher, a 4th-grade teacher concluding her first year of teaching at Franklin.

"I have had the honor and privilege to work with Ms. Speicher this year as she began her first year of teaching. With her hard work, her dedication and creativity, it was no surprise to me that she won this award," Franklin Principal Dr. Rhonda Dunham said. "When you walk into her classroom, you instantly become aware that she truly loves what she does! We are very proud of her," Dr. Dunham concluded.

Ms. Speicher is a native of Edwardsville, IL. She attended Edwardsville High School and earned her bachelor's degree at Southeast Missouri State University. "All my life I dreamed of being a teacher," she said, "and my dream has finally come true. I am so blessed to have had such a wonderful first-year experience with a great group of kids. They will be remembered forever."

Ms. Speicher said that the secret to being a successful teacher is "deeply caring for your students." She said teachers must go "above and beyond" to serve the needs of their students. "There is no greater gift than loving and helping a child succeed," she concluded.