María Derner was nominated by an anonymous family member.
Mrs. Derner teaches 9-12 English Language Development (ELD) at Belton High School. Mrs. Derner is convinced that each student has the potential to achieve their dreams. As a Hispanic-Latina, Mrs. Derner constantly reminds her Multilingual Learners (MLs) of the many opportunities the USA has for immigrants. She wants her students to believe in themselves and brings them evidence that hard work and commitment are crucial to overcoming any obstacles in life, as she has done and continues to do.
Mrs. Derner's mission is to instill a sense of belonging in her immigrant students and empower them to follow their dreams. She establishes real-life goals with them and looks for connections and opportunities outside the classroom to help them reach those goals. Mrs. Derner is relentlessly looking for resources for her ML students pursuing post-secondary education and those joining the workforce. That is why at BHS, Mrs. Derner sponsors the MO Seal of Biliteracy, works with the Hispanic Development Fund, searches for scholarship opportunities, and is currently in conversation with the KC BiztFest to bring entrepreneurial and leadership opportunities to her MLs. Mrs. Derner does not doubt that "Every student can succeed with a safe and empathetic environment. They deserve caring teachers who will support them and will not give up on them!"
I have known Mrs. Derner for a few years now as a teacher at the Belton School District. She is very passionate about helping her ELL students to flourish and succeed in the English language. Mrs. Derner has brought the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy to the district. Over the past few years I have seen more and more students earn this seal for their graduation. This is amazing! She has worked hard to raise money that goes to scholarships for students whose native language is not English. Mrs. Derner and her students are busy at school sporting events raising awareness. They participate in selling food at school sanctioned events where the proceeds go to scholarship funds.
We were so excited that she has earned many awards and became a finalist for Missouri Teacher of the Year this past year. She is an amazing teacher that really cares about her students! We are so lucky to have her in the Belton School District!
Mrs. Derner has helped our school community for many years. She is always encouraging her students to pursue their dreams, and she doesn't take no for an answer; she is constantly helping her students create and stick to their plans for success toward their high school graduation. Mrs. Derner looks for resources to meet her students' essential needs. She also helps her immigrant students find jobs, fill out scholarships, complete college applications, and coaches them to draft an after-graduation plan.
Mrs. Derner has helped our school community for many years. She is always encouraging her students to pursue their dreams, and she doesn't take no for an answer; she is constantly helping her students create and stick to their plans for success toward their high school graduation. Mrs. Derner looks for resources to meet her students' essential needs. She also helps her immigrant students find jobs, fill out scholarships, complete college applications, and coaches them to draft an after-graduation plan.
Have you ever looked up to someone and thought to yourself “am glad this person is in my life”. Well, This one goes to Ms.Derner, my high school teacher. Thank you to her for being my biggest inspiration and the biggest person in my life. For listening and trying to understand me through everything I was going through.
Ms. Derner wasn’t a teacher I knew when I had recently started school in Belton, but by the time a friend introduced me to her. I felt like she was going to be an important person in my life. Ms. Derner helped me out with personal things and helped me become a better person. She stayed by my side through my hardest times. When I felt like my life was going downhill I would talk to her because she was the only person that was available when I needed advice. She tried to understand me and let me know I wasn't alone; to not care too much about those things and focus on school, so I did. I've realized am starting to accomplish little things that I've never thought I would do. And without her, I don't know what would have been my choices without her.
So if you were to ask me who has impacted my life the most it would be Ms. Derner, she’s a person with an amazing heart and soul a person who should not be taken for granted, a person who should be known the most. She’s a teacher who not only has helped me but so many other students as well. I thank God for listening to me and putting her through my path. I will forever be grateful to her for everything she has done for me, and will not fail her and accomplish the promise I made with her.
Please consider Mrs. Derner for your award. She is a selfless and fierce person who always looks for ways to help her students, whether to secure a scholarship, gain admission to college, or ensure meals for their families. She’s a blessing to those around her.
I've known Mrs. Derner since 2005 as she was my kids' teacher. Mrs. Derner is a caring teacher who wants the best for her students and advocates for them no matter what. She definitely is a LifeChanger!!
