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MCSS MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Guldenpfennig, Lee's Summit

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Taylor Guldenpfennig is a seventh grade Ancient World History teacher in Lee's Summit, Missouri. This is their fifth year teaching. Previously, they have taught Early American History, Government, and World History. In addition, she teaches online Sociology and Modern Global Issues. 

Their master's degree is held in K-12 Administration from Northwest Missouri State University, and their bachelor's degree in Social Studies education from University of Central Missouri. 

 

In the classroom, Mrs. Guldenpfennig tries to make history alive for students. She encourages students to develop their historical thinking skills, utilizing historiography, narratives and counternarratives, as well as experiential learning. Not only does she create units that are culturally responsive and follow the C3 inquiry framework, but with encouragement and mentorship from her nominative, Dr. Nance she has been published twice in the Hollywood or History book series and in the regional journal the Oregon Journal for the Social Studies .  She has presented with Dr Nance at MCSS, NCSS, and UCM with sessions over gamification, C3, and the Hollywood or History strategy.  She is currently under contract as a co-author with her mentor and other teachers from around the country with NCSS. She is on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Team, is a site-based team teacher liaison, an Online Academy Teacher, and a Summit Technology Academy Student Cadet and New Teacher Mentor, assists with creating district curriculum, and also is boys and girls swim and dive coach for the Lee's Summit school district. 

MCSS HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Matt Kennedy, Kirksville High School

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Matt Kennedy is a teacher at Kirksville High School who has worked in the field for 10 years. On top of teaching at KHS, he teaches a summer history class for middle school students at the Joseph Baldwin Academy and works with future social studies teachers at Truman State University. He has developed award-winning interdisciplinary lesson materials on data science and gerrymandering and is active in supporting early-career social studies teachers in Northeast Missouri.

 

Mr. Kennedy teaches Dual Credit U.S. History (better known to his students as "America: The Eras Tour) along with a rotation of electives that include American History in the Kitchen, American History Through Sport, Local History, and American Popular Music History. 

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