Tag: ECC-NEA

ECC’s NEA Chapter Recognizes 55 High School Teachers

May 18, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

There were 55 high school teachers from the region recently recognized for the positive influence they have had on East Central College students, and their dedication to teaching.

The educators were presented Inspirer of Excellence Awards on May 10 by the East Central College chapter of the National Education Association (NEA). ECC students nominated their former high school teachers who made an impact in their lives or played a role in their educational journey.

ECC Faculty members Jenifer Goodson, EMS Program Director; Lisa Hanneken, instructor and coordinator of the business and accounting programs; and Tanner French, accounting and business instructor, were co-chairs of the Inspirer of Excellence Teacher Recognition Award Ceremony held in the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center.

In the nominations, students wrote about their former teachers, and why they should be Inspirers of Excellence.

“The responses we received demonstrate the ways in which these educators inspire excellence in their students, by going above and beyond to provide, not only an education to their students, but also guidance, understanding and mentoring,” Goodson said during the ceremony. “They have laid the foundation for their students to excel in their education, and in their lives.

“Thank you to all the educators receiving this award for your dedication, time and commitment,” she added.

Listed below are the names of each Inspirer of Excellence Award winner under the high school where they teach now, or taught, when they inspired the ECC students who nominated them. Following the teachers’ names are the subjects that they teach and the names of the student, or students, who nominated them.

Pacific High School

Clint Anderson, Government, Jonni Sever

Sunshine Anderson, Math, Olivia Hoven

Sullivan High School

Jordan Flora, Physical Education, Hannah Campbell

Chuck Moore, Music Director, Emilee Roach

Cuba High School

Chris Case, Speech/Drama, Mackenzie White

Timothy Duarte, Social Studies, Shaylee Roussin

St. James High School

Dustin Felan, Fine Arts (Choir), Colby Sanders

Kirby Moreland, Math, Jacob Jones

Salem High School

Martin Gray, Math, Alicyn Warden

Rob Wofford, English, Brooklyn Stenhoff

Hermann High School

Dan Bader, Social Studies, Tim Martens & Lori Anderson

Ben Sachs, Band, Reyna McDaris

Washington High School

Kim Blankenship, Physical Education, Ava Kelly

Ryan Brennan, Spanish, Carly Hamlyn

Meghan Brueggemann, Orchestra, Zachary Hoffman

Allison Chaney, Social Studies, Aaron Flynn

Karen Fixsal, Family & Consumer Science, Maddie Frankenberg

Tim Rinne, Retired History, Kaitlyn Williams

St. Clair High School

Kaylin Buckingham, English, Eliza Sohn

Sarah Dierker, Business, Brooklyn Hyatt

Ben Martin, Science, Jaden Bursey & Maggie Hopkins

Robert Prichard, History, Seth Turman

St. Francis Borgia High School

Jon Noelker, Physics, Earth & Space Science, Annika Brunner

Union High School

Melissa Bestgen, English/Speech, Jayden Rybak, Briseyda Ballou, Rylie Brown & Joanna Hoskins

Danielle Blair, Agriculture/FFA, Shaley Parmentier

Brandi Gremaud, Science, Kaitlyn Donovan

Sarah Hurt, Biology, Mack Reeves

Jim Kapusiak, Art, Erica Hertel

Bill Koch, Engineering/Physics, Christian Masawi

David North, Choir, Chae Keeney

Danika Novak, English, Nick Moore & Sakura Shortal

Jennifer Schwentker, English, Artimiss Jansson

Michael Underberg, History, Augast Haddad & Kelsey Brake

Dennis Wilson, Art, Whitney Griffin

Rolla High School

Jamie Cantrell, Family & Consumer Science, Gage Klossner & Lizzy Patton

Jeremy Haberman, Business Education, Ariyanna Ross

Emily Mullen, French, Grace Gorman

Laurie Myers, Art, Jonathan Reade

Keith Peterson, Science, Theresa Skaggs & Isaiah Parker

Nick Zink, Physical Science, Kiya Hatley

Warrenton HS

Michael Shaw, Science, Ryah Cullom

Thomas Speers, Band, Kalie Mullings

New Haven High School

Mandy Koch, Band & Foreign Language, Emily Delgado

Bourbon High School

Emily Edens, Civic, Jackson Rosen

Rolla Technical Institute/Center

Carmel Dare, Culinary Arts, Richard Lawing

Ruth Diaz, Early Childhood, Ashley Wood

Ft. Zumwalt South

Suzanne Hembrough, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Ashley Labanca

Kingston High School

Matthew Falch, Band/Choir, Kayla Yoesting

Nichols Career Center

Amber Moore, Culinary Arts, Jesse Averion

Owensville High School

Tyler Ahring, Business, Hayden Loeb

Lucas Gehlert, Social Studies, Michael Miles

Kayla Pyle, English, Caitlyn Linders

Adrienne Gonzalez, Theatre, Shelby Koepke

Four Rivers Career Center

Cinthia Edler, Health Occupations, Maddie Brown

Rockwood School District

Andrew Litschgi, Language Arts, Joey Reichmuth & Jamie Cantrell

ECC NEA Honors Inspiring Local Teachers

May 17, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Eleven high school teachers from this area were honored last week by the East Central College chapter of the National Education Association (NEA) for the positive influence that have on their students, and dedication to teaching.

ECC Faculty members Jenifer Goodson, EMS Program Director; and Lisa Hanneken, assistant professor of accounting and business, were co-chairs of the “Inspirer of Excellence” Teacher Recognition Award Ceremony.

“You, as our community partners, are not thanked or recognized enough for your role in our mission which is, ‘Empowering students and enriching communities through education,’ ” Goodson said.

“So, thank you. Thank you for everyday meeting students where they are and taking them to where they need to be,” she added. “Thank you for continuing to entrust your students to us. Every day we will work to earn that trust and help students take those next steps.”

ECC students were asked to nominate former teachers. This year, there were 11 teachers selected.

Melissa Bestgen — Union High School English/Speech, Emma Thomas and Shawna Mohrlock.

Christy Clark — formerly at Washington High School, Choir, Andrew Utz.

Ruth Diaz — Rolla High School, ECC, Rolla Technical Center and Rolla Early Childhood; Child Development, Jessica Richardson and Janessa Metzen.

Emily Edens — Bourbon High School, History, Alexis Ham.

Donna Hinson — Owensville High School, Owensville Gasconade County R2, Math, Emily Copeland and Stephani Elliott.

Jaime Hoener — New Haven High School, Math, Miranda Durbin.

Todd Nicks — Steelville High School, Choir, Lauren Freeman.

Robert Prichard — St. Clair High School R-XIII, Social Studies, Scholar Bowl sponsor, Model UN team sponsor, Kierra Miller.

James Rinehart — Rolla High School, Rolla School District, History, Janessa Metzen.

Rachel Stahl — retired Washington High School, AP English, Creative Writing, Ella Barton.

Katherine (Katie) Wayne — Pacific High School, English, Madeline Stinnett.

Awards Established

Goodson noted that Susan Henderson was instrumental in establishing the ECC-NRA in 2016. Henderson served as ECC-NEA president for two years, vice president for three years, as well as being a role model and mentor to faculty.

During her time in the ECC-NEA, the origination established the Inspirers of Excellence Awards.

“Sue’s idea came from the inspiration she received from one of her former teachers, ‘Mrs. Good.’ “Goodson said.

“Mrs. Good taught with joy and humor and Sue has stated, ‘I wanted to become a teacher like her.’ “

Area High School Teachers Recognized by ECC-NEA

June 21, 2021 | Campus News

High school educators have a profound effect on students in many capacities.

That’s why the East Central College chapter of the National Education Association (NEA) is celebrating the positive influence and dedication of those educators with the Inspirers of Excellence Award.

“We can’t accomplish what we aim to do for our students at ECC without the dedication of our high school colleagues,” said Susan Henderson, ECC-NEA vice-president. “We want to recognize that educational partnership in which we build upon the foundation they put in place.”

Each year, ECC students are asked to nominate a former teacher who has had an impact on their education.

This year, the ECC-NEA is recognizing two groups of recipients, those nominated in 2020 and those nominated in 2021. The educators received a certificate in the mail to recognize their contributions to the education of students.

Appreciation

Henderson said educators who received certificates were appreciative and honored to be recognized by former students.

“Thank you for recognizing educators’ positive impact on their students. After a tough year like this one, I cannot express how much I appreciate hearing from former students — It makes the difficult times easier to bear when you feel like what you’ve done matters.”

— Dustin Klenke, Eureka High School.

“Finding this certificate in my mailbox with the student’s note was very uplifting this week. Thank you for supporting our students.”

— Amanda Engelke, Rolla High School

“Thank you so much for giving students the opportunity to recognize teachers, what a happy surprise to receive this.”

— Ellen Domijan, St. Francis Borgia Regional High School

Listed below are the 2020 Inspirers of Excellence Award recipients, followed by the high school where they teach and the student who nominated them:

2020 Recipients

Joe Obermark, Crawford County R-1, Rachael Hollmann

Chris Scheel, Bourbon High School, Krista Licklider

Lucille Behrendt, Cuba High School, Taylor Rives

Desiree Gentle, Dixon R-1 High School, Delaney Plemmons

Dustin Klenke, Eureka High School, Joseph Eilers

Nikki Locklear, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Venita Kuntz

David Bond, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Megan Copeland

Terrill Story, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Megan Copeland

Zack Rogers, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Kyle Hill,

Michelle Auxier, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Megan Copeland

Melissa Brumagin, Liberty Christian Academy, Brooklyn Hunt

Angie Combs, Maries R-1 Vienna High School, Cheyenne Murdie

John Kinkead, Maries R-1 Vienna High School, Jaclyn Helton

Ken Wilardson, Maries R-1 Vienna High School, Cheyenne Murdie

Jessica Smith, Mehlville High School, Hannah Baker

Chef Amber Moore, Nicholas Career Center, Andrew Maslen

Kayla Pyle, Owensville High School, Addison White

Shirley Wright, Owensville High School, Tabitha Davis

Adriana Grimm, Pacific High School, Tyler Mueller

Garret Andreasen, Pacific High School, Jarred Snider

Heidi Boyer, Pacific High School, Shelby Flynn

Dr. Keith Peterson, Rolla High School, Courtney Kelley

Dr. Gwendolyn Fleming, Rolla High School; Asst Prin Rolla Middle School, Macie Parsons

Christy Dalton, Rolla Junior High School, Nick Reising

Josh Adams, Saint James High School, Cody Jones

Benjamin Martin, St Clair High School, Adrianna Collins

Benjamin Martin, St Clair High School, Benjamin Schwanitz

Donald Dement, St Clair High School, Sebastian Montowine

Ellen Domijan, St. Francis Borgia High School, Cayden Schall

George McKee, St. Francis Borgia High School, Jacob Brinker

Kayla Eckelkamp, St. Francis Borgia High School, Jackson Broom-Morse

Angela Chamber, Sullivan High School, Patricia Gassner

Sarah Rochleau , Sullivan High School, Madison Rudisill

Sarah Rochleau , Sullivan High School, Sydney Harmon

Brandi Gremaud, Union High School, Brianna Shirley

Danika Novak, Union High School, Hanah Wilbers

Dennis Smith, Union High School, Rachel Dains

Melissa Bestgen, Union High School, Alexander Hanneken

Nathan Hoskins, Union High School, Nathan Hoskins

Tina Kluesner, Union High School, Maddison Hammon

Danika Novak, Union High School, Kaylee Wentz

Jennifer Schwentker, Union High School, Stephanie Sachs

Melissa Bestgen, Union High School, Brianna Cornman

Nathan Hoskins, Union High School, Hunter Triplett

Kerry Holtmeier, Washington High School, Molly Eckelkamp

Michelle Turner, Washington High School, Colton Souders

Rachel Stahl, Washington High School, Jenna Crider

Whitney Crabtree, Windsor High School, Meagan Ross

2021 Recipients

Emily Joseph, Cuba High School, Charley Leonard

Julie Munro, Cuba High School, Kaylah Highley

Cragon McBride, Farmington (Formerly Sullivan), Brandon Royal

Melanie Behrens, Hermann High School, Geena Lee

Patrick Dell, Hermann High School, Geena Lee

Patrick Dell, Hermann Middle and High School, Hannah Gale

Amanda Sikes, Homeschool, Samantha Sikes

Jean Schaible, Homeschool, Anna Schaible

Heather Carlson, Hunter High School, Granite School District, Utah, Vaimoana Moungaafi

Ashley Prawitz, John F. Hodge High School, St. James, Abby Parsons

Lea Hickerson, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla High School, Nick Reising

Kelsey McCroskey, New Haven High School (formerly), Julia Unnerstall

Kelsey McCroskey, New Haven High School (formerly), Lydia Otten

Kelsey McCroskey, New Haven High School (formerly), McKenzie Overschmidt

Amanda Peery, Newburg High School, Riley Jackson

David Peery, Newburg High School, Riley Jackson

Donna Hinson, Owensville High School, Gasconade County r2, Emily Copeland

Christopher Noce, Pacific High School, Chris Noce

Scott Hauser, Pattonville High School, Haylee Bartel

Amanda Engelke, Rolla High School, Nevaeh Skyles

Christy Green, Rolla High School, Janessa Metzen

Christy Dalton, Rolla Junior High School, Nick Reising

Rebecca Bolen, Rolla Technical Center, Angelica Gore

Charles Knipp, St. Clair High School, Sue Seyer

Sgt. Gregory Cohen, St. Clair High School, Kaitlyn Salsman

Jason Harbour, Sullivan High School, Madeline Marks

Jennifer Blankenship, Sullivan High School, Abbie Zelch

Dianne Smith, Union High School, Tina Makic

Michael Underberg, Union High School, Kaitlyn Salsman

Nathan Hoskins, Union High school, Hunter Triplett

Nicole Griffin, Union High school, Jasmyne Bradley

Teresa Springer, Union High School, Gavin Pickard

Nicole Griffin, Union High School, Alex Kuelker

Colin Flynn, Washington High school, Katherine Harrison

Dane Gough, Washington High School, Jena Spreckelmeyer

Grant Young, Washington High School, Emma Von Rump

Michelle Turner, Washington High School, Autumn Osia

Michelle Turner, Washington High School, Abby Riegel

New Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement Approved by Board

June 17, 2021 | Campus News

The East Central College Board of Trustees Monday, June 14, approved the negotiated collective bargaining agreement with faculty for the 2021-22 academic year.

Two primary changes address sabbaticals and a 4 percent pay increase, according to ECC-National Education Association (NEA) President Aaron Bounds.

“I am very happy with the process and how well the NEA and administrators worked together,” Bounds said.

The one-year deal was approved unanimously by the 29 current ECC-NEA members.

“This was a very collaborative process,” added ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer. “This covered a lot of areas, including compensation.”

Under the new agreement, the college and ECC-NEA recognized the importance of maintaining competitive salaries as compared to other community colleges in the region.

The agreement states that ECC commits to increasing faculty salaries to the average of base faculty salaries at the region’s community colleges, including Jefferson College, St. Charles Community College, and St. Louis Community College, within the next four years.

Sabbaticals

Bounds added that under the new CBA, the sabbatical process was refined and fleshed out.

“Sabbaticals were allowed but weren’t consistent over the last few years,” he said. “This cleaned up the process and ensures we could utilize a sabbatical when applicable.

“In fact, since adding this process we have already approved an application for this school year,” Bounds added.

East Central College NEA Honors Inspiring Local Teachers

May 7, 2019 | Campus News

Educators have a profound effect on students in many capacities. The East Central College chapter of the National Education Association (NEA) is honoring those educators with the 2019 Inspirers of Excellence Award.

“This award is about teachers who are making an impact on a student’s life,” said ECC-NEA President Sue Henderson. “We want to celebrate their positive influence and dedication.”

Students were asked to nominate former teachers in March. This year, more than 35 recipients were selected!

2019 “Inspirers of Excellence” Award Recipients:

Debbie Aholt, Washington High School
Angie Anderson, Rolla High School
Jesse Anderson, Washington High School
Jean Baker, Owensville High School
Nathan Caldwell, St. Francis Borgia
Stephen Culp, Sullivan High School
Donald Lukus Dement , St. Clair High School
Todd Dempsey, St. Francis Borgia
Mandy Franke, Liberty High School – Wentzville
Sandy Fuchs, Sullivan High School
Katie Galvin, Sullivan High School
Amy Hall, Union High School
Catherine Hartman, Pacific High School
Donna Hinson, Owensville High School
Terrie Hunter, Warrenton High School
Chelsea Johnson, Dixon High School
Diane Kennel-Truelove, Traverse City West
Tina Kluesner, Union High School
Melissa Krimmel, St. Clair High School
Nicole Kuske, Union High School
Trish Lewis, Bourbon High School
Tammy Lueck Rolla High School
Amber Moore Nichols Career Center
Danika Novak, Union High School
Ryan Okenfuss, Owensville High School
Caryn Patterson, Pacific High School
Kim Ray, Cuba High School
Erika Robertson, St. Clair High School
Sarah Rochleau, Sullivan High School
Zach Rogers, John F. Hodge High School
Carmen Ruszala, St. Clair High School
Ben Sachs, Hermann High School
David Schatz, Salem Senior High School
Jennifer Schwenkter, Union High School
Paige Steinhoff, Parkway High School
Terri Story, John F. Hodge High School
Taylor Tholen, Union High School
Michelle Turner, Washington High School
Sherri White, Owensville High School
Nova Wright, Clearview Homeschool
Sara Young, Sullivan Middle School

Nominate a Local Teacher for an “Inspirers of Excellence” Award

March 20, 2018 | Campus News

Educators have a profound effect on students in many capacities. However, they aren’t always thanked for their hard work and dedication.

The ECC – NEA “Inspirers of Excellence” award honors teachers in the community who have had an impact on current East Central College Students.

“We want to know what teacher inspired you to become the person you are today,” said ECC-NEA President Sue Henderson. “There are so many talented, hardworking educators in our service area. The Inspirers of Excellence award is one small thing we can do to recognize their dedication.”

Nominations are open until March 30. Please include the teacher’s name, school and include a brief description of how he or she has inspired you. The ECC-NEA will hold a recognition ceremony for the award recipients in May.

Nominate a teacher today!

The East Central College seal with the words: board of trustees meeting below it

Budget, NEA Agreement and Leases Approved by Trustees

June 17, 2015 | Campus News

East Central College trustees approved an $18.3 million general operating budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. That represents a decrease of 2.84 percent in the general fund over the 2015 budget.

In presenting the budget to board members at their June 15 meeting, Phil Pena, vice president of finance and administration, noted that the development of the budget for fiscal year 2016 required balancing the needs of students and the community versus revenue growth.

The college derives over 98 percent of its revenue from three sources: tuition and fees, state aid, and local tax revenue. “In putting together this budget we assume an increase in state aid, but little to no growth in local tax revenues and tuition and fee revenue to be down,” Pena stated. “In addition, enrollment trends indicate no growth for the coming academic year.”

Tuition and fees account for 34 percent of the total budget.

Most students at East Central College will not see a tuition increase for the coming year following the implementation of a two-tier tuition model approved by trustees in April. Students in four career-technical programs at East Central College will pay more tuition this fall, due to the higher cost of operating those programs.

Tier 1 is the same tuition structure currently in place: $76 per credit hour for in-district students; $111 per credit hour for out-of-district students; $168 per credit hour for out-of-state students; and $181 per credit hour for international students.

Tier 2 is a higher tuition for precision machining, industrial engineering technology, nursing and culinary arts classes. Tier 2 courses will cost $95 per credit hour for in-district students and $139 per credit hour for out-of-district students. Out-of-state students will pay $210 per credit hour with the rate for international students set at $226. The tier 2 tuition only applies to classes in the programs; students would still pay the base, or Tier 1, rate for general education courses.

Pena noted that despite the additional money generated from tuition for the higher tier classes, a projected four percent drop in enrollment will limit the amount of new revenue available in the general fund.

State aid accounts for 30.2 percent of the total operating revenue for ECC. Pena stated that the 2016 budget projects a three percent increase in state aid. This year state aid accounted for more than 28 percent of ECC’s total operating revenues.

Little or no growth is planned for local tax revenue. The 2015 assessed valuation increased 3.1 percent over 2014, keeping the rate ceiling at the maximum authorized levy of $0.37. Local revenue represents the largest source of revenue for the college at 34.4 percent which is up slightly from the current fiscal year.

The college has 200 full-time employees. All of them will receive a 2.75 percent salary increase.

For the fourth consecutive year the state retirement system will not raise the mandatory contribution rate. Contribution rates still stand at 14.5 percent for faculty and salaried staff and 6.86 percent for support staff.

Salaries and benefits account for the largest share of expenses for the college, totaling 76 percent of general fund spending in the upcoming fiscal year. The 2016 budget also projects utility costs to increase 2.8 percent and a five percent hike in medical insurance costs.

In addition to the general operating fund, the college has four other funds necessary for college operations which brings the total working budget to $39 million. The college restricted programs fund has expected revenue of over $1.3 million for next fiscal year. It contains money from credit hour fees that are used exclusively for the purpose for which they were generated. Another fund is used exclusively to retire the college’s long-term debt and the revenues generated from local property tax collection and is set at $1.5 million. The auxiliary services fund supports college operations such as the cafeteria and bookstore and projects more than $2.4 million in revenue for the upcoming year. Government restricted programs which include students grants and loans total over $15.3 million for fiscal year 2016.

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