September 26, 2025 – Kansas City, Mo.
Avila University proudly celebrates alumna Kimberly Sixta, who has been named the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year. Sixta, a Social Studies teacher at Ruskin High School in the Hickman Mills C-1 School District, becomes the 57th recipient of the honor since the program’s inception in 1957.
Sixta earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and her Master of Science in Education from Avila University. She also completed minors in Anthropology, Theology, and Secondary Education with a History emphasis.
At Ruskin High School, she serves as Social Studies Department Chair, ACT Test Coordinator, and sponsor for the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Upward Bound.
Reflecting on her teaching journey, Sixta shared:
“My most meaningful accomplishment isn’t tied to a program I created or a lesson I delivered; it’s found in the former students who return to say I helped them believe in themselves. Some tell me I gave them the confidence to speak up. Others say they found their voice in my classroom. That kind of transformation and that spark of self-belief is the core of what we do as educators.”
Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger praised Sixta’s impact, stating:
“No one person has a greater impact on the success of our children than the teacher who creates the learning environment. Sixta is a wonderful example of excellence. We are grateful for Sixta and all our educators for making a lasting impact on Missouri students beyond the time in the classroom.”
Known for her immersive simulations and civic-focused instruction, Sixta empowers students to explore history, justice, and public policy through meaningful inquiry. She will be honored during DESE’s Teacher of the Year recognition event in Columbia on October 27, 2025, and will represent Missouri in the National Teacher of the Year program.
Avila celebrates Kimberly’s remarkable achievement and the lifelong impact she continues to make on her students and community.
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