Rockwood Summit's Sarah Moonier Named a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year

Rockwood Summit High science teacher Sarah Moonier has been named one of more than 30 regional honorees from around the state in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program.

EducationPlus and the St. Louis Regional Professional Development Center selected Moonier as one of 10 awardees from the St. Louis region, chosen by a committee of nine education professionals as teachers of excellence. She is now eligible to participate at the state level in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program, which is conducted annually by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

DESE will select a Missouri Teacher of the Year in October, who will then become a candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

"I feel so incredibly grateful for the recognition I've received from the district and the region," Moonier said. "Through the application process, I've already met some of the incredible educators that are listed with me as regional winners. I am excited to collaborate and learn from them in this process; what a wonderful opportunity I've been given!"

Moonier is entering her 24th year of teaching at Rockwood Summit. Her daughters, Ally and Katie, both attended the school: Katie is entering her junior year, and Ally is a 2024 graduate.

Moonier was named Rockwood School District Teacher of the Year at the ROSE Award Ceremony on May 3.

"I love instilling a sense of wonder and opening my students’ eyes to things they never noticed before, helping them connect their learning to career-specific, authentic experiences in health and environmental sciences," she said during her acceptance speech. "I love the little lightbulb moments they get when they learn a new skill and have genuine awe about something completely new. That daily joy of watching them is what it’s all about. That’s the true reward."

Moonier and the other St. Louis Regional Teachers of the Year will be honored at an Aug. 10 banquet attended by their peers, school administrators and family members. Dr. Travis Bracht, Affton School District superintendent, will deliver remarks.

The DESE Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors the contributions of the classroom teacher, as no one has a greater impact on the education of a child than a teacher who creates a learning environment where children flourish and grow. The mission of the Missouri Teacher of the Year program is to honor, promote and celebrate excellence in the teaching profession for the more than 70,000 dedicated teachers in the state.