On August 28, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) named Kim Sixta as one of seven finalists for the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year honor. Sixta teaches 10-12 grade social studies at Ruskin High School.
According to a statement from the Hickman Mills C-1 School District, Sixta is known for her innovative lessons and for mentoring students.
The state committee will interview Sixta and the other six candidates on September 16 and will announce the Missouri Teacher of the Year shortly after, with a celebratory banquet on October 27 in Columbia.
The current 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year hails from the metro area: Jennifer Jones, who teaches English at Lee’s Summit West High School in the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District.
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