Missouri State University’s Jessica Barnes, per course instructor in the Department of History, has been named Missouri’s 2024 History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

According to its website, the Gilder Lehrman program “recognizes excellence in the teaching of history at the K–12 level.”

In addition to teaching part-time at Missouri State, Barnes teaches full-time at St. Clair Middle School in St. Clair, Missouri. She has been teaching K-12 for 17 years.

Barnes said she was nominated for the award by a colleague from Kansas City, Missouri. She learned about the nomination in April, and in July she learned she had won.

“I remember feeling very overcome and happy at the news, especially because I had been nominated and chosen by my peers across the state, making it a truly meaningful award,” Barnes said.

“This is a prestigious award that reflects the care and hard work that Jessica puts into her craft,” said history department head Dr. Kathleen Kennedy. “We are excited that she has received the recognition she richly deserves.”

Portfolio reflects breadth and depth of teaching experience

Barnes earned her BS Ed and her MA degrees at Missouri State, specializing in American history.

Her career portfolio reflects a diverse teaching background. Barnes has taught middle school, high school, college and adult learners.

Courses and topics she teaches include US history, world history, government, AP and honors courses and seminars in supervised teaching. Because she is certified to teach social studies, Barnes also teaches psychology and economics on occasion.

Hearing “every student’s voice”

Inspired by “fantastic” teachers, Barnes said she continues to teach because it is a rewarding experience.

“Yes, the long hours and low pay are drawbacks,” she said. “However, watching that moment when the information and skills connect with a student, and they get it, really get it, is incredible.”

The history department’s BS Ed program coordinator, Dr. Michelle Morgan, praised Barnes for her ability to develop lessons that challenge and engage students while meeting a variety of student learning needs.

“She is a dedicated and dynamic history teacher who brings the past to life for her students,” Morgan added.

Barnes explained that she gets students excited about history by having them write, read plays, play interactive games and work with primary sources.

“My goal is to hear every student’s voice, every class,” she said. “To accomplish this, I teach the same content in a variety of ways to connect with every student, as well as to demonstrate how the information and skills learned apply to the student’s everyday life.”

“My students will always know why we are doing what we are doing and have come to anticipate a different activity everyday to get them excited to learn,” Barnes continued. “Every day is different, but with the same goal of enjoyable and memorable learning.”

Committed to teaching and public service

Barnes said winning Missouri History Teacher of the Year affirms her commitment to teaching and public service.

It also motivates her to continue seeking ways to “connect” with all her students — even her college students.

Barnes has been teaching future teachers in Missouri State’s history department for over 10 years. She instructs senior history education majors on how to develop their teaching portfolios and guides them through the student teaching experience.

“In some ways, yes, future teachers have the same fears, ranging from classroom management to lesson planning, as it is the first time they have experienced these aspects of teaching live in the classroom,” she explained.

But Barnes also sees in her history education majors the same commitment to teaching and public service that she values.

“Each year, I see an inspiring commitment and a devotion to students in future teachers,” Barnes said. “People do not get into K-12 education for themselves, but for a desire to help others.”

Ever evolving, but fun career

At the same time, things can change rapidly, Barnes said, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. But she sees these kinds of challenges more as an adventure than a problem.

“The COVID-19 pandemic changed the delivery format in education and accelerated the use of online and blended…learning,” she said. “I started [teaching] with an overhead projector and a chalkboard and now have a Chromebook for every student and online textbooks.”

“Teaching is an ever evolving field, making every year interesting and unique — and fun!”

Learn more about the BS Ed in History program

Photos provided by Jessica Barnes.