Honored as Distinguished Retiree

Noreen Hyslop photo Andrea Duckworth, who taught in the Dexter Public Schools for 35 years, has been honored by the Missouri Retired Teacher Association for her numerous contributions to the community, especially in the area of literacy awareness. [Click to enlarge]

Managing Editor

One of Dexter's own has been recognized by the Missouri Retired Teacher Association with their Distinguished Retiree Award for Region 12, which takes in a four-county area of Southeast Missouri including Stoddard, Cape, Ripley and Mississippi counties.

Andrea Duckworth, a retired teacher from the Dexter School District, was nominated by the Stoddard County Retired Public Educators Association.

Duckworth's credits within the community are numerous, with extensive work in furthering the education of local students in a volunteer capacity.

"Andrea has a true zeal for learning and for sharing her knowledge and talents with others," said Tracy Gant, president of the county's retired educator's group in her nomination of Duckworth for the award.

"She has distinguished herself in service to our educational groups and the community and is very deserving of this honor," Gant continued.

Keller Library Director Pam Trammell, who has benefited from Duckworth's giving spirit over the past several years, echoed Gant's sentiments, stating, "Andrea voluntarily became the foundation of our literary services for children and she laid the groundwork for the programs that we have today."

"Andrea's outstanding commitment to childhood literacy," Trammell continued, "has impacted thousands of children throughout Southeast Missouri and elevated the quality of services we provide at the Keller Public Library."

Duckworth served on various local and state educational committees during her 35 year tenure as an elementary teacher in Dexter and continued working toward efforts to fulfill the educational needs of area youth after her retirement in 1999. She has served four terms of office on the Stoddard County Missouri Retired Teachers Association as both president and vice-president and has also completed two terms as an officer at the District level.

A strong proponent of literacy in area youth, Duckworth's work at the local library has influenced a generation of youngsters within the community, having served on the Friends of the Library board and played a major role in the implementing the Books for Babies Program, the annual garden tour and fashion show which continue to be primary fundraisers of the Friends of the Library.

She also is credited with having planned and presented Keller Library's six-week Summer Reading Program for four consecutive years since her retirement and spends many hours volunteering for the library's Fall Festival activities and membership drive.

The Heritage House, the Regional Healthcare Foundation, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a multitude of area youth have also been influenced through Duckworth's volunteer efforts toward not only educational endeavors and literacy awareness, but community betterment projects as well.

"Andrea's character is a positive example to everyone who knows her," noted Trammell, and summing up the sentiments of all who call Andrea Duckworth a friend, she added, "Simply stated, it is a true delight to be in Andrea's company."

Acknowledging the honor, Duckworth stated, "I am so humbled and honored as the recipient of this award," and in expressing the sentiments of most who give of themselves in the true spirit of giving, Duckworth called to mind a favorite quote of hers from Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "We can do no great things; only small things with great love."

For the Dexter community, Andrea Duckworth's "small things" make a "great" difference.