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Southern Illinois Teacher Named Challenger Learning Center's Outstanding Educator

Paducah, KY (03/11/2020) — Misty Fritch, a fifth-grade teacher at New Simpson Hill School in southern Illinois was recently named the 2019-2020 Challenger Learning Center at Paducah's Outstanding Educator during a presentation of President's Awards at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Fritch was one of four individuals to receive the special recognition from WKCTC President Anton Reece during WKCTC's Third Annual Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program March 5 at the Clemens Fine Arts Center. Aaron Collins, Fulton County Schools superintendent, Donald Shively, Paducah Independent Schools superintendent and J.W. Cleary, president of the Paducah chapter of the NAACP, also received President's Awards.

Fritch, in her 19th year of teaching, said she believes that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is very important.

"One way she utilizes STEM in her classroom is by bringing students to the Challenger Learning Center," said Mellisa Duncan, director of the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah (CLC). "She prepares the students for their missions by providing fun, interactive activities that foster student engagement, teamwork and curiosity."

Duncan said one of the main projects Fritch does is to have students design, create, build and test Mars Rovers.

Fritch has an Associate of Arts degree from Shawnee Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University. In 2012, she received her master's degree in education administration from McKendree University.

For more information on the offerings at Paducah's CLC, visit clcpaducah.org .

Media Attachments

Misty Fritch, a fifth-grade teacher at New Simpson Hill School in southern Illinois, (centered) poises with Mellisa Duncan, director of the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah (left) and West Kentucky Community and Technical College President Anton Reece (right) after receiving a 2020 President’s Award recognizing her being named the 2019-2020 Challenger Learning Center's Outstanding Educator.

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