A Poplar Bluff Middle School teacher was among a shortlist of area educators out of 724 total nominations to be selected in the second annual McDonald’s Outstanding Educator program.
Aleanna Moore, who presently teaches fourth grade math, was reportedly one of nine regional honorees including a single grand prize winner.
“We’re excited to recognize those who go above and beyond for our students through the Outstanding Educator awards,” stated local McDonald’s owner/operator Shannon Davis in a press release. “Our teachers are constantly adapting to whatever is thrown at them, while making sure the youth in our communities succeed!”
Moore has served at the Middle School for the past five years, before which she was employed at Oak Grove and Lake Road Elementary, respectively. Her tenure in public education began in 2008 in the North St. Francois County School District, teaching grade four the entire time.
Her colleague, Kendra McLevain, nominated her last month when submissions were being solicited via Facebook. “She is the most dedicated teacher I know,” McLevain wrote in part. “She is kind, compassionate, and caring and always puts her students’ needs first. She goes the extra mile for each and every student.”
McLevain elaborated that Moore is a “helpful and inspiring soul” and it is universally recognized among her co-workers. In fact, Moore was named the Middle School Teacher of the Year by her peers in 2018.
At the end of the month, Moore will receive a $100 Visa gift card, which she said she plans to use toward classroom headphone sets, a ‘best teacher ever’ coffee mug, and 25 free McDonald’s coupons to give out to students at her discretion.
According to Amanda Campbell, who handles the public relations for McDonald’s locally, Davis “loves recognizing educators” and plans to continue the contest for years to come. In addition to a Poplar Bluff location, Davis owns a total of 18 McDonald’s restaurants throughout the region.
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Cutline: Middle School teacher Aleanna Moore (right), a 2021 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator, poses with her pod-mate, Kendra McLevain, in the fourth grade wing.