Cassville R-IV School District

The Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Distinguished Service Award has been awarded to Ann Ellis, Cassville Middle School (CMS) Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) instructor.

This award is one of the highest honors within the FCCLA organization recognizing outstanding dedication to education and community. Ellis was selected from among 36 schools in the region.

“Mrs. Ellis is one of the kindest and most compassionate educators I have had the privilege of working with,” said Mrs. Samantha Cosper, CMS Principal. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”  

Growing up on a centennial family farm near Marshfield, Ellis learned the values of resourcefulness, compassion, and hard work from her mother and grandmothers. After graduating from Marshfield High School, she earned her teaching degree in Home Economics from SMSU and began her teaching career in Ava.

Throughout her life, Ellis has embraced the role of an Air Force spouse, relocating to places such as Germany, England and Texas. No matter the location, she brought her passion for teaching, mentoring, and volunteering. 

In 2002, Ellis returned to Missouri and began teaching FCS at CMS. During her first year at Cassville, she established the first-ever middle school FCCLA chapter. When the chapter was established, Ellis had approximately 10 students join the club. Currently FCCLA has over thirty members in the middle school and nearly 150 members district wide.