Rockwood Students, Graduates Get Strong Start on Education Careers with ‘Welcome Home Rockwood’

Michael Niblett works in the same building as one of his favorite educators, Lafayette High visual arts teacher Meghan O’Donnell.

Niblett, a 2025 Lafayette graduate, works as an attendance administrative assistant at the school each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, he takes classes at St. Louis Community College, attending his first two years of college for free on the A+ Program before planning to transfer to a four-year institution to study education and graphic design.

He's hoping that his current status as a colleague of O’Donnell and the Lafayette teaching staff is a preview of the not-too-distant future.

“I didn’t want to lose the connection to Lafayette because I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Niblett said. “I get to keep talking to people who were my teachers, administrators and the community I was in when I was in high school, the community I want to come back to because I want to teach here. I think that’d be a lovely thing to do.”

Niblett is part of “Welcome Home Rockwood”, a mentorship program for Rockwood alumni and current students who want to become future teachers in Rockwood.

Rockwood graduates studying education or current students can apply to be a part of the program, which maintains a connection with the students throughout their pursuit of an education degree, then offers them a guaranteed screening interview with Rockwood Human Resources at the end of the process.

Current Rockwood teachers hold monthly meetings with Welcome Home mentees, and students in the program are guaranteed student teaching placement in the district.

During a Nov. 6 presentation to the Board of Education, Director of Human Resources Dr. Jennifer Martin said “Grow Your Own” programs such as Welcome Home Rockwood align with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) priorities of preparing, developing and supporting educators.

“Welcome Home Rockwood fosters a culture of collaboration between the district, higher education and communities, serves as a workforce development initiative and instills community pride when students return to teach in Rockwood,” Martin said.

The goals of the program are to spark student interest in the education profession and allow them to explore this career pathway; set students up for success in postsecondary education programs; establish professional mentorships with practicing educators; and invest in Rockwood as well as our future teachers.

O’Donnell is excited to do her part as a mentor for Niblett, in whom she sees immense promise as a future educator.

“Even as a student, he was already an integral part of our department. He was responsible, respectful, approachable for the other kids who needed extra help, which was huge,” O’Donnell said. “I think it’s very important for potential teachers to see people who are excited and love their job. My first teaching job was in Rockwood, and I’ve been here ever since. I love it. It’s important to show kids a really great experience of what education is. I am happy just to help and promote Rockwood. I do think we are the best district, and showing potential teachers the value of that, what we believe in and what we stand for is so important to me.”

Martin said the program has grown exponentially over the past two years, with 19 students – and counting – currently participating. In 2025, the program awarded 11 scholarships to Rockwood graduates ranging from $250 to $2,000.

Rockwood Summit High Spanish teacher Kimberly Lackey is in her 27th year as a Rockwood educator and has been involved in mentoring prospective teachers throughout her career. She currently mentors three students through Welcome Home Rockwood, including former student and 2025 graduate Reid Sweeney, now studying education at the University of Missouri.

“Ms. Lackey has been great. She has made sure I have all the tools I needed to start this first step in my career,” Sweeney said. “I wanted to join Welcome Home Rockwood because some of my teachers in Rockwood are the reason that I wanted to become an educator myself.”

Lackey said it is encouraging to see the momentum Martin has helped build in Welcome Home Rockwood, especially at a time when fewer students are considering education as a future career.

“When you’re mentoring a student, having a personal connection with them and helping them see their potential and connect with resources, it’s something I feel like could really make a difference for young people,” Lackey said. “I hear from a lot of kids that their Rockwood education is really valuable to them. It’s a place where they found a sense of belonging and a lot of good connections with their teachers. It’s a really important pool of graduates we definitely should be tapping into. I hope there are kids who realize all the benefits of being a teacher. There is so much good about being in education and being in Rockwood. I love sharing that with young people.”

One of the new features of Welcome Home Rockwood is a future educator signing day ceremony, in which graduating Rockwood seniors celebrate their intention to pursue a career in education in front of family members and other well-wishers.

Last year’s inaugural event included eight participants, with more anticipated this spring.

“I was fortunate to grow up in this incredible district and know how much the teachers across the district care about their students. Rockwood shaped who I am today, and I want to give back in the same way to the community that supported me,” said Mallory Sell, a 2025 Marquette graduate who participated in last spring’s ceremony and is now studying education at Maryville University. “I’ve seen firsthand how strong the educational bonds and school spirit are that exist across this community. I want to help all students feel included and have a sense of belonging and reach their goals just like my teachers did for me.”

Interested students can find more information about Welcome Home Rockwood and apply for the program on our district Human Resources page.

“My teachers have always had a special place in my heart,” Niblett said. “Having the right teacher can really shape someone’s experience in school. I had a lot of great teachers who were that person – the one who made me want to go back to school even on the days when I wasn’t feeling it. I want to be that person for another kid.”