PCR-3’s Udena Davis awarded Outstanding Rural Support Staff
LAKE OZARK, Mo. – At the annual MARE/MO K-8 Association Conference, the following general awards and “Outstanding Rural Education Awards” were presented:
Outstanding Rural Support Staff – Udena “Nug” Davis (Phelps Co. R-III)
Outstanding Rural Teacher – Erin Dalager (Kirbyville R-VI)
Outstanding Rural Administrator – Dr. Sarah Wisdom (New Bloomfield R-III)
MO K-8 Administrator of the Year – Dr. Chrystal Mayfield (Strasburg C-3)
Outstanding Rural School District – Midway R-I School District
“Friend of Rural Education” – Dr. Doug Hayter
Each year, the Missouri Association of Rural Education requests and receives nominations for the various “Outstanding Rural Education Awards.” An awards committee reviews the nominations and selects those to receive each award. The awards are presented during the Awards Luncheon as part of the annual conference. Winners are presented with a plaque noting their designation as an “Outstanding Rural Education Award” recipient.
Excerpts from Davis’ nomination include the following:
“For nearly half a century, Nug has been a cornerstone of our school community. Generations of students, staff, and families have been touched by her unwavering dedication, compassion, and quiet leadership. Her legacy is not only defined by the years she has given, but also by the countless lives she has impacted along the way.
“Udena has been an anchor through decades of growth and change, and her influence can be felt in the lives of the countless children and families she has touched. Her colleagues describe her as an indispensable presence in the classroom, one who makes sure to celebrate each small student victory. She has trained, mentored, and inspired generations of teachers and paraprofessionals, leaving an impact that extends far beyond her own work.
“Nug’s work ethic is second to none, and her ability to connect with students – meeting them where they are and helping them grow – is truly exceptional. Her colleagues speak of her with admiration; parents trust her without hesitation; and students, past and present, remember her not just as an aide, but as a mentor, advocate and friend. We are forever grateful for her presence, her passion and her profound contribution to education here at Phelps Co. R-III.”
MARE is a statewide organization created in 1987 to serve its member districts by promoting equal opportunity for rural Missouri students, by enhancing rural student academic potential and by creating justifiable pride in the state’s rural education program. For more information about the programs available, please visit the website at www.moare.com.
