Teacher Tiffany Gray selected to join Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship

Twenty-four public school educators from across Missouri have been selected to join the inaugural cohort of the Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship. During the 2026-2027 school year, the teachers will have the opportunity to share their expertise and advance effective classroom practices that are helping students achieve exceptional academic progress.
“Every day, we see how Missouri teachers are moving the needle for students,” said Torree Pederson, president and CEO at Aligned, a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of business leaders committed to improving education. “The Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship not only celebrates their innovation and leadership but also elevates it, allowing others across the state to learn from and replicate their successes.”
The Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship is a nine-month program designed to recognize and support teachers from Missouri public schools recognized by the PRiME Center at Saint Louis University in its 2026 Growth, Beating the Odds or Rural Schools Growth reports. In addition to professional learning and statewide networking opportunities, fellows will receive storytelling and communications support to share their classroom practices with educators, policymakers and communities. As part of their participation, each teacher will receive a $1,500 stipend.
A local teacher on the list is Tiffany Gray, from the Mansfield R-IV School District.
The full list of educators selected includes:
• Lisa Abernathy, St. Louis Public Schools
• Christopher Bowen, St. Louis Public Schools
• Cari Braden, Elsberry R-II
• Angela Clark, Jefferson City School District
• Jessica Donovan, Kearney R-I School District
• Tiffany Gray, Mansfield R-IV
• Michelle Greene, Riverview Gardens
• Nancy Hadnott, Genesis School Inc.
• Alexandra Hays, Lafayette Preparatory Academy
• Haley Hurst, Academy for Integrated Arts
• Yolanda Jackson, The Leadership School
• Pamela Keys, Hazelwood Schools
• Diana Lacey, Saint Louis Public School District
• Michelle Melvin, Glenwood R-8 School District
• Jason Merseal, Richwoods R-VII
• Leslie Miller, Macon R-1
• Brenda Montgomery, Normandy Schools Collaborative
• Dr. Denise Ross, School District of University City
• Samantha Sellers, North Kansas City School District
• Rena Selvey, Joplin Schools
• Misty Shaddox, Wheatland R-II
• Morgan Strabo, KC International Academy
• Emily Wilcutt, Hancock Place School District
• Megan Williams, Scott County Central
About the Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship
The Show-Me Growth Teaching Fellowship is designed to elevate and support Missouri teachers from public schools recognized by the PRiME Center at Saint Louis University for demonstrating exceptional academic growth. Through professional learning, statewide networking and storytelling, fellows help inform conversations about what is working in the state’s schools. Learn more at wearealigned.org.