Autumn Palmer

Chemistry Teacher Carthage (Mo.) Senior High School

When Autumn Palmer was told in 2012 that her third child was going to be born with cystic fibrosis, the emotions were overwhelming. It’s a chronic, genetic disease that is often terminal. There is no cure.

In the midst of that emotional agony, Palmer turned to the lessons she learned while at Missouri Southern State University studying to become a chemist.

When Palmer attended MSSU in the mid-1990s, she had every intention of pursuing a career in chemistry and public relations. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in communications. But before she could pursue a master’s degree in chemistry, destiny came knocking on the door.

“I received a phone call from one of my old teachers at Carthage Senior High School asking if I would be interested in teaching chemistry back at my old high school,” she said. “I walked into my first day of teaching chemistry never having had an education course. I have since received a master’s in science education with an emphasis in chemistry, but I honestly thought I would teach for five years and then go back to pursue a master’s in chemistry. Now, 20 years later, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Palmer is currently the K-12 science vertical team chair for the Carthage School District, and the high school science department chair. Though chemistry is her primary role as a teacher, she also has organized and choreographed the high school’s first dance team, assisted as a color guard choreographer, choreographed school plays and show choirs, sponsored the CHS Stream Team, and continues to coach the CHS Science Olympiad team. It’s a busy slate, but one that she said she finds rewarding in so many different ways throughout her life.

“I don’t know any other profession where you get to meet 160-plus new individuals every year and have the opportunity to help them discover who they want to be in the future,” she said. “I have had the pleasure of educating so many, and I feel that they have taken from my class what they need – whether it be the chemistry knowledge to go into the medical field, or the ability to look for the silver lining when times get tough. I would like to think I am teaching and demonstrating for my students that life is what you make of it, no matter your circumstances. And always take pride in all that you do. It’s truly an honor to be an educator.”

Much of that life and career philosophy was developed during her time at Missouri Southern. She credits the university for helping provide her with opportunities and experiences that helped mold her character. The knowledge she gleaned as a chemistry major continues to be something that she passes on to her high-school students, even 20 years later. Her dedication to her craft has been recognized on a state and national level, as well. She was named the 2016/2017 Regional Teacher of the Year and was recognized by the Missouri Department of Education as one of the top 32 teachers in the state.

But it’s the lessons from MSSU that she applies at home that she considers to be the biggest benefit to her life.

“In 2012 our third daughter was born with cystic fibrosis,” she said. “I rely so much on the education I received from MSSU as a science major to fight and deal with the daily struggles that come with loving a child that has cystic fibrosis.

“The mother side of me still struggles and gets emotional, but the scientist inside of me stays strong and faces the challenges with an educated background.”