Recognizing Melissa ``misty'' Grandel, 2020 Missouri Teacher of the Year

Floor Speech

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Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Melissa ``Misty'' Grandel for being named the 2020 Missouri Teacher of the Year.

If there is one thing people know about Misty, it's that she is a Missourian through and through. Generations of her family, including Misty, grew up in rural Webster County near the town of Fordland, Missouri. She attended Fordland High School and went on to study English at Drury University. After a few years into her teaching career, she was asked to teach at Fordland High School where she has been teaching for 21 years.

Misty knows the importance of education in a rural community. The Fordland School District serves 550 students, and over half of them qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Despite this statistic, 97 percent of students graduate on time, and 61 percent go on to attend college. This would not be possible without teachers like Misty who are passionate about their students and their community.

Misty doesn't just put in her time and go home. She goes above and beyond for the children of Fordland High School. Along with teaching six courses, she also sponsors after school and extracurricular activities including the Beta Club. Through her work with the Beta Club, she shares her passion for giving back to the community with her students.

Every day, Misty walks into her classroom not just to teach, but to instill lifelong values into the children of Fordland High School. She goes above and beyond for the children she teaches and the community she serves. She is well-deserving of this achievement, and we are proud to have her represent Missouri in the National Teacher of the Year program.

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