Aligned is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the Missouri Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship.
These 24 educators work in classrooms across Missouri, from St. Louis and Kansas City to the Ozarks. Together, they span every grade from kindergarten through eighth grade and teach math, science, English language arts and more.
Each fellow comes from a school recognized for exceptional student growth by Saint Louis University’s PRiME Center.
During the 2026–27 school year, fellows will participate in professional development convenings, build a statewide network and receive storytelling support to share their classroom practices with educators, policymakers and communities.
Please join us in congratulating the inaugural Missouri Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellows!
The 2026–27 Cohort
- Lisa Abernathy, a fifth-grade teacher at Mann Elementary in St. Louis.
- Christopher Bowen, an eighth-grade English language arts teacher at Gateway MST Middle School in St. Louis.
- Cari Braden, a sixth-grade science teacher at Elsberry Middle School in Elsberry.
- Angela Clark, a fourth-grade teacher at South Elementary School in Jefferson City.
- Jessica Donovan, an eighth-grade math teacher at Kearney Junior High School in Kearney.
- Tiffany Gray, a sixth-grade math and seventh-grade science teacher at Mansfield Middle School in Mansfield.
- Michelle Greene, a kindergarten teacher at Moline Elementary in St. Louis, part of the Riverview Gardens School District.
- Nancy Hadnott, a seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher at Genesis School in Kansas City.
- Alexandra Hays, a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher at Lafayette Preparatory Academy in St. Louis.
- Haley Hurst, a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Academy for Integrated Arts in Kansas City.
- Yolanda Jackson, a fourth-grade English language arts teacher at The Leadership School in St. Louis.
- Pamela Keys, a third-grade teacher at Jamestown Elementary in Florissant, part of the Hazelwood School District.
- Diana Lacey, a sixth-grade English language arts teacher at Carnahan STEAM Middle School in St. Louis.
- Michelle Melvin, a fourth- and fifth-grade math teacher at Glenwood Elementary in West Plains.
- Jason Merseal, a fifth- through eighth-grade math teacher at Richwoods R-VII in Richwoods.
- Leslie Miller, a sixth-grade math teacher at Macon Middle School in Macon.
- Brenda Montgomery, a first-grade teacher at Bel-Nor Elementary in St. Louis, part of the Normandy Schools Collaborative.
- Dr. Denise Ross, a fifth-grade English language arts teacher at Pershing Elementary School in University City.
- Samantha Sellers, a fifth-grade teacher at Rising Hill Elementary School in Kansas City.
- Rena Selvey, a third-grade teacher at Cecil Floyd Elementary in Joplin.
- Misty Shaddox, a fourth- through sixth-grade math teacher at Wheatland Elementary in Wheatland.
- Morgan Strabo, a sixth-grade English language arts teacher at KC International Academy in Kansas City.
- Emily Wilcutt, a third-grade teacher at Hancock Place Elementary School in St. Louis.
- Megan Williams, a seventh- through ninth-grade English teacher at Scott County Central High School in Sikeston.
About the Fellowship
The Missouri Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship recognizes and supports Missouri public school teachers from schools demonstrating exceptional academic growth.
Fellows participate in virtual professional development, connect with educators across the state and receive support to share the practices and insights helping students grow.