Sunrise Elementary second-grade teacher Alaze Chowning earned statelevel recognition after being named a candidate for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) 2027 Regional Teacher of the Year program.

According to DESE, the Regional Teacher of the Year initiative is designed to focus public attention on excellence in teaching and honor outstanding classroom teachers in every region of Missouri. Teachers selected by their local school districts advance as eligible candidates for regional recognition through the statewide Teacher of the Year program.

Chowning was recognized as Elementary Teacher of the Year in the Richmond R-XVI School District earlier this spring. 'This honor is a reflection of her dedication to student success, instructional excellence, grade-level collaboration and leadership in our school,' said Sunrise Elementary Principal Sara Terrill.

The regional recognition places her among a distinguished group of teachers from across Missouri who a…