Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards dinner on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.  

Debbie Shafer was named the 2019 Bloomfield Chamber Educator of the Year.

As a young, married mother of two, Debbie had a strong desire to have an active role in her children's education, so she enrolled in education classes at Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State University and graduated in May of 1988.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and one more baby!

On the day of her graduation, Debbie received a phone call from Truman's Placement Center informing her of  a job they feld she would be perfect fit.  In August of 1988, she began her teaching career as a third grade teacher at Mary Immaculate Catholic School.  Debbie credits her seven-year tenure there as the cornerstone for the remainder of her teaching career.  Her connections with her students now run through generations as she teaches children of former students.

Debbie's time with Bloomfield R-14 School District officially began in the fall of 1996 when she was hired as a fifth grade teacher prior to piloting the newly formed At-Risk class for third through fifth grade. Though the program only lasted a year, relationships were built that still continue today.

In the spring of 2002 she moved to the middle school at Bloomfield.  That's where Debbie's special "niche" became her place in education. She later taught high school, 2nd grade and gifted students and then returned to the middle school.

In addition to her career in education, Debbie has been blessed with a wonderful family, including her husband Tony with who she loves to travel with and her children, two of who have gone into education and are grown with families of their own.  She has six grandchildren, Bryston, Layton, Bennett, Jillian, Anderson, and Gwendolyn.

Pictured from left are Chamber Board Member and Bloomfield Superintendent Toni Hill, Shafer and Chamber Vice President Janis Traughber.