Ruskin High School teacher named Missouri Teacher of the Year

By John Sharp

Kim Sixta, a longtime teacher at Ruskin High School who serves as chair of the Social Studies Department and sponsor for the National Honor Society, Student Council and Upward Bound program has been named 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.

Sixta will receive her award at a ceremony in Columbia, Mo., on October 27 and will represent Missouri in the National Teacher of the Year selection program.

This past spring, Sixta received the Hickman Mills School District’s Claudette Scott Teacher of the Year Award, named after a District teacher who also received the Missouri Teacher of the Year Award in 1993.

Known as someone who actively encourages students to continue their education after high school, Sixta spreads the word among students about the 25-30 scholarships for college and trade school awarded annually to Ruskin seniors by the Hickman Mills Educational Foundation and the 3-4 matching scholarships awarded annually by my son and I.

“I’m really proud of her,” said Dr. Ernest Fields, Ruskin’s principal for four years, who noted a big portion of her extra effort is spent letting students know what scholarships are available.

“My first year as principal our students got about $2 million in scholarships, and last year they got over $4 million. We hope to get $5 million this year,” he said.

“In my three decades of this work, I have yet to find anyone like Ms. Sixta who produces more magic in the classroom with children who need it most,” said Dr. Dennis Carpenter, Hickman Mills Interim Superintendent.

“Sixta is a wonderful example of excellence, said Dr. Karla Eslinger, Missouri Commissioner of Education. “We are grateful to Sixta and all our educators for making a lasting impact on Missouri students beyond the time in the classroom.”

Speaking for herself, Sixta said, “My most meaningful accomplishment isn’t tied to a program I created or a lesson I delivered. It’s found in the former students who return to say I helped them believe in themselves.”