
Macy Moore poses with her students and colleagues. Back row (left to right) Keeley Stearns, Ilene Garcia-Mehler, Helene Hodak-Rogers, Darrell Boyer, Principal Jon Roop, Angela Burke and Kristopher Pyrtle. Front row (left to right) Destiny Wall, Macy Moore and Olivia Brinkman.
Each month, the community nominates their favorite teachers and educators from the 51黑料 region to be the 51黑料 Teacher of the Month. May鈥檚 winner is Macy Moore, a school librarian and 12th grade English teacher at De Soto High School in the De Soto #73 School District. Ms. Moore received a $250 gift card courtesy of聽.
Describe your teaching journey.
I started my career at John Evans Middle School in Potosi, Mo., teaching social studies and English electives. Before I stepped into the full-time educational world, I worked as a paraprofessional and substitute for two years. I then completed my student teaching here at De Soto High School. I started out teaching middle school social studies. Since I was asked to transition to high school English, I鈥檝e taught almost every English class available. Currently, I am rounding out my 11th year of teaching and my second year as a full-time librarian.
What is your teaching style?
I think I straddle the line between formal and laissez-faire in the classroom. My catch phrase is 鈥渋t is what it is鈥 so I believe what will happen is supposed to happen, but I鈥檓 also very Type A. This personality trait likes to take control sometimes and push students in the right direction and hope what鈥檚 鈥渟upposed to happen鈥 is good.
I want to prepare my students for the real world as much as I can so they can achieve the goals they鈥檝e set for themselves. If they remember something I鈥檝e said or done to help them with their goals, I鈥檓 happy.
What do you enjoy most about being the school librarian?
There isn鈥檛 a day that goes by that I feel like I鈥檓 at work or working. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, so getting to share a lifelong love of reading with students and my coworkers (and getting paid to do it) has been the ultimate life goal for me. I love learning and being in 鈥渢he room where it happens鈥 so to speak, so I get to share knowledge and collaborate in many different ways. I love being a small part in making things happen!
What are your favorite books to recommend to students?
The dystopian genre is my favorite with mystery being a close second. Neal Shusterman is my favorite author, so I usually start by recommending books from him or one of those two genres. When you鈥檙e reading those storylines, you will always have a unique perspective on how the world could end up, which is scary to think about. If I鈥檓 putting these books in students鈥 hands, it could possibly be a manual on how to survive in those scenarios. Readers are leaders, and I know I want them on my team in the case of a zombie apocalypse!
Your nominator mentioned you make your library a welcoming space. How so?
I spend most of my day in the library and classroom, and I want to be comfortable in that space. I want others to be comfortable and feel welcomed in that space too. If a student or colleague needs help with something, from finding their next read or wanting a place to unwind, I want them to think of me and our library space. I hold a donation drive twice a year for anyone wanting to get rid of odds and ends or books, and I鈥檓 constantly updating the library鈥檚 Amazon Wishlist with items we need year-round. It really does take a village, and if teachers were given an unlimited budget, I believe every cent would be used to make the students鈥 educational atmosphere the best it can be.
