More than ever, we have relied on teachers to support and continue the education of children during this pandemic. Recently, the leadership of Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas reached out to me because they wanted to recognize their outstanding educators for overcoming adversity and asked the teachers’ alma maters to join in the celebration.

It is my pleasure to help honor two Mizzou alumni who are not just succeeding in this historic educational environment, but who are also excelling. Marcus James ’04, who majored in secondary education and was a student-athlete in both track & field and football, is a social studies teacher and the girl’s head basketball coach. Dr. Kristi Arends-Ward ’00, who double majored in English and interdisciplinary studies, is a teacher in the English Language Arts Department.

The commitment of Mr. James and Dr. Arends-Ward puts our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence to work in the classrooms of south central Kansas. I am so proud of the time they spent at Mizzou and of the work they are doing to carry our university’s mission forward.