Julie Gass Joins Member Service Coordinator Team

With a robust background in education and a deep commitment to supporting teachers, Julie brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new role as a Member Service Coordinator.

Julie’s journey began in Yuba City, a small rural community in Northern California. At age 10, her family relocated to Marshall, Missouri, when her father accepted a position at Missouri Valley College to lead the American Humanics Program. 

“My father’s dedication to education and community service had a profound influence on me,” Julie said.

After graduating from Marshall High School, she attended the College of the Ozarks, also known as “Hard Work U.” 

“Then when I married my children’s father in 1999, I transferred to Missouri Valley College,” she recalled.

Julie’s professional journey in education began at Sedalia School District #200, where she taught fourth grade. She credits her mentor, Linda Ryan, for guiding her through those early years. 

“Linda’s expertise was invaluable. I learned the importance of building relationships with students, parents and colleagues,” Julie said.

She enjoyed Sedalia for four years, then her husband took a job in St. Louis with the Union Pacific Railroad as a conductor. The move to St. Louis led Julie to KinderCare, where she taught pre-K. 

“I became a Program Director, where I learned how to manage budgets and design engaging programs for our center,” Julie shared. “I was there for two years before my husband transferred to Jefferson City, and we moved back to Marshall.”

Julie continued to grow professionally at Marshall Public Schools and completed her student teaching under Elaine Kelly in a fifth-grade classroom. 

“I was thrilled to learn I was hired to teach alongside her and the ‘Fifth Grade Posse,’” she said. “These were an incredible group of veteran teachers who had it down! Lori Leicher taught me how to write quality assessments and align curriculum. Elaine was our team leader and our CTA president.”

Encouraged by colleagues, Julie pursued a master’s degree and, after seven years, transitioned to teaching eighth grade social studies. The lifetime opportunity came when she was chosen to head the department.

“The teacher retiring from the position was another legendary teacher in our building, Jane Lewis,” Julie noted. “She shared everything with me and made sure the transition was smooth. With the tremendously well-designed curriculum she had spent years perfecting and another great group of veteran teachers to hold my hand, I was set up for success!”

Julie’s involvement with MSTA began when a friend, Mindi Coslet, was elected CTA president. 

“Mindi asked me to be a building representative,” she recalled. “Even though I had no idea what that entailed precisely, she promised our meetings would be at Bueker, and they would be short - so I agreed. I quickly learned how MSTA brought teachers together to support each other and their community.”

Julie’s first experience at MSTA Convention was transformative, providing her with new tools and strategies to enhance her classroom.

“I experienced firsthand how MSTA united teachers from all over the state to make real change for teachers at the State legislative level as we debated proposals for education policy,” she said. “What I learned at those conferences, I was able to implement that next week in my classroom. I had new tools to increase cognitive engagement beyond belief. The students were learning so much! I was so excited to share what I had learned with the rest of the social studies department.”

After five years of teaching eighth grade, Julie transitioned into an Instructional Coach role which allowed her to share her passion for innovative teaching strategies with colleagues. 

“When I asked my principal why I was chosen, he said it was because of the changes I had made in the Social Studies department,” she detailed. “Those changes were directly related to what I had learned while attending MSTA events and the connections I made with outstanding educators around Missouri.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Julie emerged as a strong advocate for her peers. She represented teachers at school board meetings, addressing concerns about being designated as essential workers and advocating for additional administrative support. “It was a challenging time, but I saw firsthand the power of teachers uniting for a common cause,” she said.

Julie’s dedication to education and her proactive approach in supporting her colleagues make her a perfect fit for her new role at MSTA. 

“I am passionate about supporting teachers and improving education, which is key to our future,” she mused. “I look forward to learning new ways to support teachers and education in Missouri.”

Julie’s personal life is vibrant and filled with love. She is the proud mother of three children. Her eldest, Brittany, is 24 and taught third and fourth grade at a parochial school before taking time off to start her own family. Brittany recently gave birth to her first child, Juniper Fay. Julie’s son, James, is 20 and has just completed his AA in HVAC. He is also certified to be a firefighter and welcomed his first son, James Oliver, in early February. Julie’s youngest, Carly, is 12 and aspires to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a teacher one day.

Julie’s father, Carl Gass, has retired from teaching at the collegiate level and now enjoys substitute teaching in Westerville, Ohio. Her mother, Frances Thatcher, worked as an Administrative Assistant for a local hospital for 25 years and has now retired to the Lake of the Ozarks.

Welcome to the MSTA family, Julie!

Sheryl Riley, Accounting Assistant

Where are you from? Originally St. Louis, but I have lived in Columbia for 20 years.

Educational background? I studied for 2 years at Missouri Valley College.

Work background? I have worked in media at a couple newspapers and an advertising agency as a coordinator, then moved into accounting.

Family details?  I've been married to my husband, Curt, for 34 years. We have one son, Cory, who is married to Madeline. They gave us our first grandbaby this year, Mairin.

Why MSTA?  Everyone in my family are teachers so I can relate to the membership aspect of MSTA.

What’s a fun fact about you? I am addicted to Halloween.  I throw a huge party every year and make my house into a haunted house for trick or treaters!

Danielle Eldred, Staff Attorney

Where are you from?  I was born in Lansing, Mich. but have lived in Columbia, Mo. since I was a year old. So, I count myself as a local.

Educational background?  I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (emphasis in ceramics) with a minor in Art History and then jumped to a law degree six years after graduating.

Work background?  I spent six years working in art-related jobs after graduating with my BFA, including framing, working at an art gallery, teaching animation classes for the True/False Film Festival and Coordinating the Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) Gallery for the City of Columbia. After law school, I worked at a Social Security disability law firm for several years before moving to the Missouri Department of Transportation as in house counsel doing employment related law. I was there for 11 years before coming to MSTA.

Family details?  My mom and stepdad live down the street. My dad and stepmom are in Wisconsin and my sister is in Colorado. MSTA’s very own outstanding and magical Mikey Lising is my husband. No kiddos, but we do have three dogs (Dobby, Neville and Asher) and a three-legged cat (Mau).

Why MSTA?  MSTA’s mission is an extremely important one and it matches my goals of helping people, particularly those who give so much to this state and community. I also know from the years that Mikey has worked for MSTA how amazing this organization is to be a part of. I couldn’t think of a better place to work or better people to work with.

 What do you look forward to learning at MSTA?  All of the complexities that Missouri’s educators deal with (legal and otherwise).

 What’s a fun fact about you?  I love finding cool rocks and hunting for fossils.