The Missouri Department of Elementary Education (DESE) has named two Southeast Missouri State University graduates among its 2025 Regional Teachers of the Year, underscoring the University’s legacy of preparing exceptional educators.The first recipient is Julie Hecht, a reading interventionist at Altenburg Public Schools in Altenburg, Missouri, who has been teaching for 28 years, 21 of those at Altenburg Public Schools. Hecht previously taught third grade, focusing on communications arts, math, and the Title 1 reading program.
The second recipient, Ashley Gettinger, is a kindergarten teacher at Bloomsdale Elementary in Ste. Genevieve R-II School District.