Education alumna Sarah Hecht named Hazelwood School District Teacher of the Year
Sarah Hecht was named Hazelwood School District Teacher of the Year by her peers. Hecht, a two-time UMSL education graduate, teaches second grade at McCurdy Elementary School. She attended the Hazelwood School District as a student, graduating from Hazelwood Central High School in 2003, and still lives in the area. (Photo by August Jennewein)
Education alumna Elizabeth Bleier invests in the region’s future as executive director of Teach For America St. Louis
In October, Teach For America St. Louis named Elizabeth Bleier executive director. Bleier originally came to St. Louis through a Teach For America placement, earning her teaching certificate and an MA in special education at UMSL. Over the past 15 years, she has taught special education at Gateway STEM High School, served as director of talent acquisition at KIPP St. Louis and participated in Leadership St. Louis, FOCUS St. Louis’ prestigious leadership development fellowship. (Photo by August Jennewein)
Education and English alumna Eleanor Taylor connects to students and family history through language learning
Eleanor Taylor, an education and English alumna, was one of seven finalists for the 2022 Missouri Teacher of the Year. Taylor has also taken opportunities to travel the globe, expanding her horizons and understanding of language education. She completed her student teaching in Fuxin, China, participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and traveled to Senegal to study the country’s education system as a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms fellow. (Photo by August Jennewein)