Springfield R-XII spotlights students, names 2025–26 teacher of the year
April 29, 2026 | Springfield R-XII, School Districts, Missouri
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Stephen Hall, the district’s chief communications officer, introduced a group of students from Shady Dale Early Childhood Center to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and later presented several recognitions at the Springfield R-XII board meeting.
"It is a pleasure to introduce a group of young learners from Shady Dale Early Childhood Center to lead the pledge of allegiance," Hall said as he called forward Cash, Paisley Clayton, Natalie Acuna, Audrey Aguirre and Dakota Jenkins, who were accompanied by principal Melanie Miller. The students led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hall then formally recognized Danielle O'Neil as Springfield Public Schools' teacher of the year for 2025–26. "Danielle is a respected professional in her content area," he said, noting O'Neil is a physical education teacher at Sherwood Elementary who has represented the district at state and national conferences. Hall said O'Neil was named a regional teacher of the year in July and was a Missouri Teacher of the Year finalist.
Hall also announced winners of the district's bookmark-design competition for School Library Month. He named Audrey Horn (elementary), Yena Lee (middle school) and Giselle Laredo (high school) as the respective winners and said the district printed bookmarks featuring the winning designs for board members.
The meeting featured readings from Truman Elementary student authors whose book, Tales from the Ride to School, was published with assistance from the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. Anthony Kanes opened the reading with an adventurous story about a bus that turned into a submarine, finishing, "That's why I was late for school." Elena Deppi followed with a story that began, "On my way to school today, it started raining cats," describing dozens of cats boarding the bus and causing a delay.
The recognitions underscored the district's emphasis on student creativity and staff leadership. The meeting continued with additional agenda items following the presentations.
"It is a pleasure to introduce a group of young learners from Shady Dale Early Childhood Center to lead the pledge of allegiance," Hall said as he called forward Cash, Paisley Clayton, Natalie Acuna, Audrey Aguirre and Dakota Jenkins, who were accompanied by principal Melanie Miller. The students led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hall then formally recognized Danielle O'Neil as Springfield Public Schools' teacher of the year for 2025–26. "Danielle is a respected professional in her content area," he said, noting O'Neil is a physical education teacher at Sherwood Elementary who has represented the district at state and national conferences. Hall said O'Neil was named a regional teacher of the year in July and was a Missouri Teacher of the Year finalist.
Hall also announced winners of the district's bookmark-design competition for School Library Month. He named Audrey Horn (elementary), Yena Lee (middle school) and Giselle Laredo (high school) as the respective winners and said the district printed bookmarks featuring the winning designs for board members.
The meeting featured readings from Truman Elementary student authors whose book, Tales from the Ride to School, was published with assistance from the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. Anthony Kanes opened the reading with an adventurous story about a bus that turned into a submarine, finishing, "That's why I was late for school." Elena Deppi followed with a story that began, "On my way to school today, it started raining cats," describing dozens of cats boarding the bus and causing a delay.
The recognitions underscored the district's emphasis on student creativity and staff leadership. The meeting continued with additional agenda items following the presentations.
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