Vol. 40, No. 28

CONTACT:  JIM MORRIS
Director, Public Information
573-751-3469

July 26, 2006

Six "Pioneers in Education"
to be Honored July 31

Six educators will be honored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday, July 31, as "Pioneers in Education" for 2006.

The six Pioneers will be formally recognized Monday during the Department’s 45th annual conference for school administrators at Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach. The conference luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. This year’s Pioneers in Education are:

  • Jack L. Brumley, Tuscumbia, who spent 22 years at Cole County R-I, Russellville, as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent, and was superintendent at Miller County R-III School District, Tuscumbia (1994-96). He also worked in the accreditation office for the Department of Education for 15 years.
     

  • Alberta Everett Douglas Gantt, St. Louis, who was an educator for 41 years, including more than 20 years as a music consultant for the St. Louis Public Schools.
     

  • Darrell "Jack" Holley, O’Fallon, who was a school business official in the Pattonville, Special School District of St. Louis County and Mehlville school districts. He helped create and was executive administrator of the Missouri United School Insurance Council (MUSIC), from 1985-97.
     

  • Beverly Tising Meyer, High Point, who taught music at Green Ridge, Versailles and High Point, and spent 25 years at Cole County R-I School District, Russellville, where she retired in 2000. She currently teaches part time in the Latham R-V School District.
     

  • William "Bill" Ray, Columbia, who began his career in South Nodaway County and served as superintendent at Trenton School District and president of Trenton Junior College (1966-75). He was assistant executive secretary of the Missouri State Teachers Association (1975-82) and executive secretary of the Missouri Community College Association (1982-89).
     

  • Saundra S. Wiser, Jefferson City, who began her career as a music teacher at Cole County R-I School District, Russellville, and spent 22 years at the South Callaway R-II School District, Mokane (1977-99), where she continues to teach music part time.

Mrs. Wiser and Mrs. Meyer are sisters.

Since 1974, state education officials have selected 222 Pioneers in Education. The award honors classroom teachers, school administrators, legislators and citizens for their distinguished service and leadership to Missouri public education.

Commissioner of Education D. Kent King and State Board of Education President Peter F. Herschend will present the Pioneer in Education awards.