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Southwest Region

MSTA Service Coordinators

  • Aubry Kruse

    (800) 392-0532

    akruse@msta.org

  • Marca Hayter

    (800) 392-0532

    mhayter@msta.org

  • Mike Walsh

    (800) 392-0532

    mwalsh@msta.org

  • Ryan Lewis

    (800) 392-0532

    rlewis@msta.org

Southwest Region Awards & Scholarships

Classroom Grant
The Southwest Region Teachers Association will award up to five (5) grants of $500 each to be used for instructional materials.  These non-renewing grants are to reward SWRTA educators for excellence in teaching. To be eligible, you must be a full-time certified teacher whose duties are primarily teaching, counselors and librarians are included, a member of your local CTA and a member of the state MSTA.   Only one application submission per member.  Members who have received the grant within the last 5 years are NOT eligible.  .   Deadline for submission is FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026.
 
Award Nominations

SW Region will present up to three  awards for Educator of the Year: one to an Elementary (Pre-K thru 5th grade) one to a Middle School (6th - 8th grade) and one  High School  (9th thru 12th grade).  All Educator of the Year category winners will  receive a plaque, $500 and $100 to the educator’s CTA.    

The Rookie Educator of the Year recipient will receive a plaque and a $500 cash award.  Applicants must not have taught more than five years.

 

The recipient of the Associate Member of the Year will receive a plaque and a $250 cash award.   

All nominees must be current members of the state MSTA and local CTA organizations.  Educator nominees must be full-time and certified.  SWRTA Board of Directors are not eligible to be nominated for five years after serving on the board.  Those who have received an award in a specific category are not eligible to be nominated in that category again.

For those in your community who have given time and resources to the cause of education, you may nominate them for Friend of Education.  You may nominate an individual, a group or a business that has supported education in your community.

Previously awarded individuals, groups and/or businesses are not eligible.

Awards will be presented at the SW Region Spring Fling on Monday, April 27, 2026 at the DoubleTree Convention Center, Springfield, MO.  You must be present to win. 

2026 Educator of the Year Application

2026 Rookie of the Year Application

2026 Associate of the Year Application

2026 Friend of Education Application

Joann Cogdill Memorial Scholarship

Application

Sharon Terry Continuing Education Scholarship

Southwest Region Teachers’ Association will award one non-renewable $500 scholarship, named in honor of our beloved, retired, secretary/treasurer, Sharon Terry, to an educator pursuing a Master’s degree, Specialist’s degree, Doctoral degree, or National Board Certification.  


Candidates must present evidence of good character, financial need, and an aptitude for continuing education.  The recipient of the scholarship must be enrolled in a college or university and be degree seeking or enrolled in the National Board Certification program.  The recipient must also be an MSTA/CTA member and full time employee in the field of education.  Members of the Southwest Region Board of Directors are not eligible.  Previously awarded individuals are not eligible.


Full and explicit answers to all questions on the application are necessary.  There will be no interviews of the applicants.  Applications received after the deadline will not be eligible.


The application can be found here:2026 Sharon Terry Continuing Education Scholarship Application


Questions?  Please contact SWRTA Event Coordinator, Lisa Schanbacher, lchristianson208@gmail.com or text 417-234-7914



Applications must be submitted by: MARCH 13, 2026


Scholarship will be awarded at SW Region Spring Fling on April 27, 2026

You must be present

Events

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2026 Capitol Visit April 8 MSTA Regions Make-Up Day
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Southwest Region

2026 Capitol Visit April 1 Southwest Region
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Region Officers

  • Angela Cicalla

    President

    Mt. Vernon R-V

  • Lori Smith

    President Elect

    Webb City R-VII

  • Sarah Johnson

    Vice President

    Joplin

  • Diane Gonzales

    Past President

    Neosho R-V

Southwest Region Board

  • Kelsey Orson

    Member

    Webb City R-VII

  • Angela Cicalla

    Ex Officio Member

    Mt. Vernon R-V

  • Dean Ferguson

    Member

    Shell Knob 78

  • Chaz Mayes

    Member at Large

    Willard R-II

  • Jeffrey Pettibone

    Ex Officio Member

    Springfield R-XII

Region Officers

  • Diane Gonzales

    President

    Neosho R-V

  • Angela Cicalla

    President Elect

    Mt. Vernon R-V

  • Lori Smith

    Vice President

    Webb City R-VII

  • Lana Moore

    Past President

    Mt. Vernon R-V

Southwest Region Board

  • Angela Cicalla

    Ex Officio Member

    Mt. Vernon R-V

  • Chaz Mayes

    Member At Large

    Willard R-II

  • Misty Calhoun

    Member At Large

    Monett R-I

  • Sarah Johnson

    Member At Large

    Joplin R-VIII

  • Zachary Funk

    Ex Officio Member

    Pleasant Hope R-VI

  • Zachary Funk

    Ex Officio Member

    Pleasant Hope R-VI

MSTA Board of Directors

  • Angela Cicalla

    Member

    Mt. Vernon R-V

  • Diane Gonzales

    Member

    Neosho R-V

  • Zachary Funk

    Member

    Pleasant Hope R-VI

  • Lana Moore

    President Elect

    Mt. Vernon R-V