Jessica Backs was recently selected as the Central Region Teacher of the Year on the University of Central Missouri campus. Backs, a third grade teacher at Sunrise Elementary in Richmond, secured her nomination for this award when she was selected as Richmond R-XVI’s Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024 in May by the Richmond R-XVI Administration. Center Regional Professional Development Center and Missouri Teachers Development System co-sponsor the award, recognizing outstanding educational performance. “Highly student-focused in her instruction and data collection, she collaborates well with her peers and instructional team,.” said Sunrise Elementary Principal Sara Terrill. “She is one of our best instructors when analyzing learner data to help shape small and whole group instruction for reading, writing and math programs. She is one of the best teachers I have seen,” said Terrill. Backs is entering her 19th year as an educator, all with the Richmond R-XVI School District…