Oct. 21, 2025
"Before I was old enough to attend school, I often played “school” with my cousins in our grandparents’ attic. I would spend hours teaching my younger cousin his letters and numbers. I still remind him that he was my very first student.
My aunt, Judy, was a first-grade teacher at New Covenant for more than 30 years and served as one of my earliest role models. She exemplified the qualities I aspired to: warmth, kindness, and a genuine love for teaching. Her joyful spirit made her well-known and deeply respected in our community. During college, I had the privilege of completing my practicum hours in her classroom, and she truly embodied the excellence I had always admired.
I taught in Nixa for 12 years under the leadership of Marilyn Hanna. Ms. Hanna modeled daily that relationships are the foundation of effective education, shaping everything from classroom culture to student success. Relationships have always been my priority, and during my first interview with Springfield Public Schools, I immediately recognized that our values aligned. When doing my research about this district, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of!
Some of my most memorable moments at Disney Elementary include getting a pie in the face from students with perfect attendance, being turned into an ice cream sundae at another attendance celebration and watching teachers get dunked in the dunk tank for raising the most money during Penny Wars. Seeing the kids smile and hearing their laughter is incredibly rewarding and a constant reminder of why our school community thrives – because we work hard, celebrate achievements and create joyful, meaningful experiences for our students every day."
- Beth Sandbothe, assistant principal at Disney Elementary School
