2020 Pioneer in Education Awards

2020 Pioneer in Education Awards
Posted on 12/15/2020
Pioneers in Education 
2020 Award Recipients
  
Pioneers in Education
Each year, Mexico 59 honors seven individuals who have paved the way for education in our school and community. 
 
Mexico School District staff members nominate individuals for this prestigious award. This year’s recipients are:
 
Robby Miller
Sally Stuart
Mary White-Littrell
Joan Fecht
Teresa Freyer
Junior David
Nickola Phillips
 
 
Robby Miller, Pioneer in Education
Robby Miller
Robby Miller served on the Board of Education from 2010 to 2016. 
 
Mr. Miller liked being involved with the school system. He shared, “I enjoyed the attending events like graduation, awards assemblies, sporting events, and concerts. Educators and education is so important to the fabric of a community, and my goal was to help strengthen that system. I only wish I could have done more. Educators give so much of themselves, particularly in this time of COVID-19, and I am grateful for each of them.”
 
Mr. Miller would like to extend his appreciation for this award, stating, “It was a true honor for me to serve on the Mexico School Board for six years. Yet it is the staff that does all the hard work.”

 
Sally Stuart, Pioneer in Education
Sally Stuart
Sally Stuart served Mexico High School from 1987 until her retirement in 2008. 
 
She was first hired as a tutor from 1987-1989. Then, from 1989-2008, Mrs. Stuart taught French I, II, III and IV and served as the French Club sponsor and Foreign Language Department chair.
 
Ms. Stuart enjoyed being a part of the Mexico School District with its proud traditions and strong academic reputation. She expressed, “There was a wonderful sense of camaraderie among the Mexico High School staff and a desire for excellence in our professionalism and in our efforts for our students’ success. Many of the staff members were good friends; others were respected colleagues, and we worked well together and were supported by the administrators, parents and the community. There is a vibrance being among teenagers that inspired me, and I am very pleased to see so many of my former students living here, working in our fine town and raising their children to be Mexico Bulldogs.”
 
 
Mary Littrell, Pioneer in Education
Mary White-Littrell
Mary White-Littrel spent her entire Mexico 59 career teaching at Eugene Field Elementary from 1978 to 2008. She served in special services teaching children with learning disabilities. She added, “I was privileged to work with many outstanding teachers, administrators, and staff.  Eugene Field was a place where we were like family under the leadership of Melanie Richter. The needs of the students were always our main priority and the staff worked as a team to meet those challenges. Eugene Field was truly a special place, and I appreciate this special honor!”
 
 
Joan Fecht, Pioneer in Education
Joan Fecht 
Mrs. Joan Fecht served the Mexico School District from 1976-2002.

Mrs. Fecht began teaching when she was just 20 years old - and still a college student. Although she began her career in Laddonia with Community R-6, she made her way quickly to the Mexico School District. She remembers, “I moved to Mexico when I was four, attended and graduated from Mexico Public Schools, and was honored to return and retire as an educator of the district. I taught 2nd grade at Eugene Field during my entire tenure, and I enjoyed the camaraderie of the teachers, principals, and families.”
 
 
Teresa Freyer, Pioneer in Education
Teresa Freyer 
Teresa Freyer served the Mexico School District from 1993-2015. 
 
She spent three years at Central Office as a Title I TLC teacher, 3 years at Eugene Field with Title I Reading, and her remaining years as an Early Childhood Education teacher. During this time, Mrs. Freyer was able to do what she loved. 
 
She shared, “There is much joy in being able to make learning fun and seeing children, particularly those with learning challenges, find success in school. Serving at Mexico Public Schools provided the chance to meet so many wonderful parents as well as work with tremendous teachers, administrators, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and teacher assistants over the years. My life was truly enriched by my time with the district.”
 
 
Junior David, Pioneer in Education
Junior David
Junior David served the Mexico School District from 1986-2016. He worked full time for 30 years and followed up with two years as a part-time employee. Mr. David worked in the Maintenance Department with some of our current employees - Jason and Bob. His specialty area was heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (or H-VAC). Junior commented that he really enjoyed working with the people at Mexico 59, adding, “It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.”
 
 
Nickola Phillips, Pioneer in Education
Nickola Phillips
Nickola Phillips served the Mexico School District as a food service worker at Hawthorne Elementary from 2008-2016. Providing a healthy school meal has an impact on students inside and outside of the classroom, and Mrs. Phillips knew this well. She often paid for student meals or donated other needed items, like shoes, to those in need. 
 
Nikki’s connection with kids also brought her and her husband into the classroom to speak about their hobby of raising bees. She remembers the children being so excited that they almost missed the bus. 
 
Ms. Phillips has served the community as a Sunday school teacher and a 4H leader, and as in her role with the school district, she just enjoys helping the children. Mrs. Phillips retired from our district in 2016. 
 
 
 
Note: A formal press release will take place after the first of the year when the recipient plaques are ordered and photographed.