Please join us in congratulating the Rolla Public Schools 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Lori-Ann Chance. Mrs. Chance is a 7th-grade Mathematics teacher at Rolla Junior High School and is closing out her second year in that role. She began her career in Minnesota as a middle school substitute teacher. She later moved to Belle, MO where she taught 3rd grade before beginning her 15-year tenure at Rolla Public Schools. She taught 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades at Mark Twain and Rolla Middle School before moving to Junior High. Mrs. Chance holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in K-8 Instructional Math, and is certified to teach Mathematics in grades 5-9.

Rolla Junior High School Principal, Dr. Tori Snitker, made the following remarks about Lori-Ann’s professional and personal characteristics: “

Lori-Ann is relentless in her pursuit of excellence. She comes to work every single day with one goal in mind; to make every student better. In return, this building and those around her improve as well.  She is always willing to take on extra tasks, especially if it means that it will improve the academic standing of the children in our building. She is currently in charge of High Dosage Tutoring (along with another teacher) to make sure each qualifying student is receiving remediation on skills that our assessments indicate are needed. Mrs. Chance is also solely in charge of our after-school detention room and works diligently with those students to get them caught up on any missing assignments.  Additionally, her classroom is one of joy, collaboration, and high expectations.  Every student is treated with respect, while also having their math confidence built due to her encouragement.  Her work ethic knows no bounds.  She is one of the first in the building, and certainly one of the last to leave. I have worked with numerous educators for the past 23 years, and Mrs. Lori-Ann Chance stands out as one of the best among all of them.  I am proud to say she works in our building!  She is definitely deserving of the 'Teacher of the Year award.”

Mrs. Chance and the other nominees for District Teacher of the Year were recognized at the Year-End Teacher Breakfast on May 22nd: Samantha Deremo (Mark Twain Elementary), Teri Puetz (Rolla Middle School), and Christy Lonning (Truman Elementary). These outstanding educators were recognized at the Year-End Teacher Breakfast held on May 22nd. Congratulations to all!