Ste. Genevieve County School District R-II
STE. GENEVIEVE — The Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District is proud to announce that Ashley Gettinger, kindergarten teacher at Bloomsdale Elementary, has been selected as a 2025–2026 Regional Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Ms. Gettinger is one of 34 educators across the state honored through the Regional Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates the impact of outstanding teachers and their dedication to student learning. She was recognized at the Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year Banquet, at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau and will move forward as a candidate for Missouri State Teacher of the Year.
“While this will be my first year as Ashley’s principal, I have seen her in action for several years, from her time Student Teaching in the building to seeing her flourish in her own classroom,” Bloomsdale Elementary Principal Nate Kingery said. “Ashley loves her students fully and goes above and beyond daily to give them the best school experience possible. I’ve also seen her at multiple events outside of the classroom, showing her students support and encouraging their growth in their extracurricular activities and hobbies, as well. She was born to teach!”
Teaching Experience & Commitment to Students
Now in her eighth year of teaching kindergarten at Bloomsdale Elementary, Ms. Gettinger brings warmth, structure, and creativity to her classroom. Her journey into education began in childhood, inspired by her own first-grade teacher, Mrs. Donovan—who later became a neighbor, mentor, and cheerleader throughout her life. “I began to see how powerful a teacher’s presence could be—how a kind word, a patient explanation, or a spark of encouragement could change someone’s entire experience in the classroom. I began to imagine what it would be like to stand at the front of a classroom, guiding and supporting students through their own journeys.”
And now, all these years later, Ms. Gettinger reflects on how the path has come full circle—as she finds herself sitting on a kindergarten carpet, eating chocolate chip cookies with Mrs. Donovan’s grandson in her class.
Through every season of her career, Ms. Gettinger has centered her practice on relationships — responding to challenges with empathy and celebrating each child’s growth both in and beyond the classroom. “I may not be exactly like my favorite teacher, but I know my students go home feeling seen, supported, and loved… I am their biggest cheerleader—and that, more than anything else, is what makes me the most proud.”
Culture, Classroom Community & Instructional Innovation
In her classroom, she has built a culture of kindness, belonging, and empathy through an initiative she developed called the Bucket Filling Program.
Each morning, her students begin their day reciting their class mission statement and participating in social-emotional activities like singing, sharing, and recognizing acts of kindness. Whether it’s adding a pom pom to their “bucket” for showing compassion or creating cards for nursing home residents, students learn that how they treat others matters deeply. “We don’t just learn the ABCs,” Ms. Gettinger wrote, “we put the KIND in kindergarten.”
Her instructional approach blends academic rigor with joyful, inclusive learning experiences. The Kindergarten Gratitude Parade is a multi-day unit where students program Bee-Bots to carry hand-decorated balloons down “Broadway” in a celebration of coding, reading, history, and thankfulness.
One of the most powerful aspects of this lesson is how it supports diverse learners by tailoring to different learning styles. Visual learners benefit from illustrations in the read-aloud and the creation of their own balloons. Auditory learners engage in rich classroom discussions and oral storytelling. Kinesthetic learners thrive through the hands-on process of programming Bee-Bots and navigating physical paths. Social learners have multiple opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from peers. The structure of the lesson promotes student-to-student interaction, encouraging children to listen to and value one another’s unique perspectives.
To ensure accessibility, she provides visual support, sentence frames, peer modeling, and flexible grouping. These strategies allow all students, including multilingual learners and those with additional learning needs, to access content, engage meaningfully, and feel a sense of ownership in their learning.
These lessons embody Ms. Gettinger’s approach as a teacher— making learning active, relevant, and inclusive for every student, while also weaving social-emotional growth into academic exploration.
“This is where learning becomes visible. Students are building connections, practicing empathy, and applying academic concepts in ways that feel real and memorable,” she said. “These are the moments that define my teaching: moments where students are engaged, empowered, and full of pride. It’s in these joyful experiences that I see the heart of learning come alive—and why I feel so honored to be a kindergarten teacher.”
Professional Development & Leadership
Ms. Gettinger holds three degrees from Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), including: a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, a Master of Arts in Elementary Administration, and a Specialist in Educational Administration with a focus on Superintendency. She also completed the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training, deepening her expertise in early literacy.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Gettinger leads with service. She currently serves as President of the Beta Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and Treasurer of the Ste. Genevieve National Education Association (SGNEA).
Eligibility, Selection Process & Regional Honors
To be eligible for the Regional Teacher of the Year program, candidates must: be full-time public or charter school teachers with a valid Missouri teaching certificate; be highly respected by students, parents, colleagues, and the community; actively participate in school service and leadership; and demonstrate a strong ability to foster excellence through improved student learning.
The selection process began with nearly 500 nominations representing 284 school districts across Missouri. Applications were reviewed by regional selection committees composed of representatives from teacher organizations, administrator groups, and higher education. Thirty-four teachers were chosen based on regional student populations and application strength.
Ms. Gettinger will receive a $250 award from the Regional Service Center and a Regional Teacher of the Year plaque, and she will be recognized at a regional celebration, as well as the statewide recognition at the Missouri State Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet in October.
Looking Ahead
As a 2025–2026 Regional Teacher of the Year, Ms. Gettinger now enters consideration for the Missouri Teacher of the Year, with semifinalists to be announced in August. She also plans to apply to Missouri Baptist University and pursue a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning.
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The Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District congratulates Ms. Gettinger on this well-earned recognition and thanks her for the joy, dedication, and heart she brings to her students each and every day.
To learn more about the Regional Teacher of the Year program, visit DESE’s website.