Bernie, Missouri - Jett Owen Woodall is the 11 month old son of Kalha Cannady and Austin Woodall and is the Bernie Parents as Teachers’ Student of the Month for November.

Jett enjoys playing with his mommy, watching Mickey Mouse, playing with toys at his grandparents, and spending time with his daddy.

During the family’s PAT visits, Jett loves to play the fun activities with Mrs. Courtney and his mommy!    

If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Casey Arnold at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.

The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website.  For more information click HERE.

Our Vision

All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.

Our Mission

To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.

Our Values

The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.

Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.

Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.

All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.

An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.

History

In 1981, Missouri pioneered the concept of helping parents embrace their important role as their child's first and best teacher. Today, Parents as Teachers continues to equip early childhood organizations and professionals with information and tools that are relevantᾢand widely applicableᾢto today's parents, families and children.

The Parents as Teachers leadership team and Board of Directors is engaged in a three-year strategic plan, which positions the organization as a valued partner to support the organizations and professionals who serve families and children, especially those most vulnerable.

The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.

Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and parent education to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development from the beginning could help improve school readiness and parent involvement.

With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement Parents as Teachers programs in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and six other countries.

This is the time of year the Stoddard County Shop With A Hero gears up to take Stoddard County children shopping for Christmas.

They realize that there are some families who have a tough time making ends meet.  To be eligible this year, children must qualify for the FREE & REDUCED LUNCH program at their school and present proof of qualification for that lunch reduction.

The age limit is 3 - 10 years of age and they must live in Stoddard County, Missouri.

They will enroll the first 300 eligible children that apply.  Parents can enroll their children without children being present.

No appointment is necessary so just come on one of the enrollment days listed below.

Wednesday, November 7th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, November 8th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, November 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Last day to enroll is Friday, November 9th

Enrollment place is Stoddard County 911 Services located at 512 Cooper St. in Dexter, Missouri.  573.624.9086

Proof of Eligibility:

Free or Reduced Lunch Qualification from School District or Headstart Enrollment (If child not in school, bring proof of income)

Birth Certificate of Child

Proof of Current Physical Address (Utility Bill, Pay Stub, Rent or Lease Agreement)

Shop with a Hero is a not-for-profit organization made up of Stoddard County Law Enforcement, Firemen, Probation & Paraole, and EMS personnel.

The first two Sundays in December, Emergency Responders gather at Wal-Mart to take approximately 300 children shopping for Christmas.  They get to spend $75.  

If you know of someone who might qualify please let them know!

On Sunday, October 28, Tyler K Stevenson of Dexter was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, in Cone Chapel on the Harding University Campus in Searcy, AR.

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on December 3, 1914 on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. 

Members must juniors or seniors, rank in the top of their school or college and must show leadership in at least one of five areas: 1) scholarship 2) athletics 3) campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government 4) journalism, speech, and the mass media or 5) creative and performing arts.

Harding University has the only Omicron Delta Kappa circles in Arkansas, and one of 304 active circles nationwide.

Nationally there are about 300,000 scholars. Membership is understood as an honor that is neither cheaply won -- nor widely bestowed.

Tyler is the son of Kay Stevenson and Keith Stevenson and is a 2016 graduate of Dexter High School.

While at Dexter he was a member of the Dexter Bearcats Football team all four years of his high school career.  He also played tennis all four years.

Tyler was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, DECA, Rotary Interact, and Dexter Honor Society.

He was a 2nd team All-Conference football team selection in 2014 and ESPN SEMO Gatorade Player of the Week in 2015.  He was also a member of the 2014 Academic All-State Football Team.