A+ TEACHER: Angela Masters • Dora Elementary, Third Grade

Dora’s third graders are a blessed bunch to be led by dedicated educator Angela Masters. 

“We’re extremely lucky to have such a dedicated and caring individual as a member of our staff, as well as our community,” Dora principal Brett Mitchell told the Times. “All of the students in Mrs. Masters’ class learn at a very high level, and I feel this is due to the way in which she conducts her daily classroom activities. Her standards and goals are set very high for each and every one of her students. In my opinion, it’s why she’s such a great educator.”

Made for third grade

Masters graduated in 2010 with a teaching degree from Missouri State University-West Plains.

“I started college after high school but didn’t finish until my children were all school age,” Masters told the Times, referring to her three children, Hannah, Waylon and Wilson. “I’d been subbing at Dora for two years before I landed a job here in kindergarten after I graduated.”

The kindergarten position Masters accepted was as a “floater,” meaning she’d help out that year because the class size was so large it needed to be split into two classes rather than the school’s usual single grade-level class.

“I took it knowing that I’d probably have to move [grades], but I loved teaching the ‘littles.’ The next year, our principal offered me a permanent spot in third grade,” she said.

Masters had worried about the added responsibility of preparing the third grade students for the MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) test, a statewide exam. 

“It was a huge transition,” she said. “First, third and fifth grades have rigorous standards.”

But she soon found her stride and has spent the last 10 years in the third-grade job.  

“Now it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. I love third grade!” Masters said. “Third graders still have an innocence that is endearing, and yet they’re independent enough to handle more responsibilities. It’s a fun age.”

Over the decade she’s spent with third graders, she says she’s learned as much from her students as they’ve learned from her. 

“We have wonderful, thoughtful class discussions nearly every day. My students often teach me new things, especially if it involves technology. My approach to learning encourages students to share,” Masters said. “I think it’s important to make connections. So each year is different, even though I teach nearly the same standards.”

Surprising students and lasting relationships

Masters said that living and teaching in a small community and small school allows her to see many students before they enter her classroom for the first time.

“It’s natural to have stronger connections with some students than others, and I often have preconceived ideas about what students will be like in class from watching them at breakfast or lunch or in the hall during [their time] in previous grades, knowing family members or seeing them at other school functions – or even in public places,” Masters said. “To be clear, I don’t let these become biases that I have at the beginning of a school year. It blows me away how often I’m completely off base.”

The connections with students blossom over the school year, and each one leaves a special place in her heart, Masters said.

“Some of the students that I hear from years later are those that I had extra-special connections with. It’s a real treat to get a letter or card from one of them,” she said. “And getting to know students and seeing what they accomplish is the best.”

Working six days a week

Masters says that while she loves her job, it’s not always an easy one.

“The most challenging things for me are time management and technology,” she said. “I’m older. So, strike one on the tech skills.”

Masters says she doesn’t have a lot of interest in computers other than what she needs to know for her classroom, and she doesn’t have much time to fan that interest anyway.

“My days – my weeks – fly by. My class thinks so too. We stay super-busy and learn a lot, and that curbs discipline issues,” she said. “I’m not much into sitting. So I’m usually either in front of them teaching or milling around the room helping one-on-one.”

Her jam-packed school-week schedule leaves no time for creating lesson plans, making copies or grading papers, she says.

“I spend most Sunday afternoons at school grading and preparing for the upcoming week. I have some guilt about spending too much time at school because then my family at home pays a price,” she said.

Much more than only a place to earn an education

Masters says some of her biggest challenges in the classroom center on students’ lack of educational support at home. She says she’s not sure there’s a good solution.

“Often it’s just that parents aren’t sure how to help. Then some don’t possess the skills to help their children,” Masters said. “School has changed a lot over the years, and information is being presented completely different than it was when I learned how to multiply in third grade.”

She says another educational system challenge is the “ridiculous expectations” both educators and students have in today’s world. 

“There’s an enormous amount of pressure on school systems to not only educate but to make sure kids are safe, fed, clean, physically and mentally healthy – and the list goes on,” Masters said. “Schools today are much more than only places to earn an education.”

Masters said that, in facing these challenges, she’s thankful for the “generous, supportive co-workers who bail me out on busy days and who’ve all taught me many things.”

Covid challenges

As far as covid is concerned, Masters says the Dora School District has been lucky, but the new way of providing instruction has added some extra work. 

“We’ve been super-fortunate in dealing with covid so far. Our school hasn’t shut down once for the sickness since last spring’s lockdown,” she said. 

The Dora third grade class this year includes 22 seated students, one student who chose to attend school “virtually” online and one student who is working from packets at home. The varying ways she’s now providing classroom instruction has taken some adjustment, Masters said. 

“[Working with] the virtual online student hasn’t been too bad, because she watches lessons and completes all of her work on a computer. Grades are automatically calculated based on her work,” Masters said. “But providing the packets to the other student has been so much extra work.”

Masters said she spends several hours a week pulling together the packet work and grading it separately from her other seated classroom students. 

“I already put in so much time that the packets are nearly the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Masters said. “It’s simply impossible to send work home that aligns completely with what we do in class. Sometimes we scrap plans and switch according to how lessons are going, students’ prior knowledge and class interests. It’s a give-and-take here – democratic – although I do possess veto power,” she said, laughing. 

A family standing behind her

Masters is quick to recognize the blessing her family plays in her life. 

“I live in Dora with my husband, Tim, and two boys, Wilson, who is a freshman, and Waylon, who is a senior,” she said. “My daughter, Hannah, graduated from Dora in 2015 and continued her education at Avila University, where she earned a master’s in business and moved away. I’m very proud of each of my children and their accomplishments.”

Masters says that, aside from school, she enjoys being outdoors. 

“Gardening, floating and hiking. I also like cooking for my family,” she said. “My husband and children are all basketball fanatics, so that’s where much of my free time goes.”

When the going gets tough, Masters says she leans on her husband, who always has her back. 

“[Tim] is an amazing father and very supportive of me. We’re lucky to have him,” she said.

High expectations

“I have high expectations, not only of my students, but especially of myself,” Masters said. “It’s major pressure, but this is who I am. I.”

She says her teaching style mimics her personality in a lot of ways.

“I believe in transparency. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I put students’ best interests first. I’m stubborn. I stand by ‘doing what’s right isn’t always easy, but it’s always right.’ I know I still have lots to learn, so thank goodness I value learning! I pray to God for growth in patience, humility and forgiveness - among other things.”