Children’s Literacy Award Helps Educators
Gracie Neff, Sharon Howe and Jessica Erwin were presented with the 2025 and 2026 Drs. Kay Clapp and Donna Rhinesmith Children’s Literacy Awards by Donna Rhinesmith and Jocelyn Stevens, Education Department chair and associate professor of music education. Pictured, from left: Donna Rhinesmith, Gracie Neff, Sharon Howe, Jessica Erwin and Jocelyn Stevens.
The recipients of the 2026 Drs. Kay Clapp and Donna Rhinesmith Children’s Literacy Awards were Jessica Erwin and Mary Grace Schneller, joined by the 2025 award winners, Sharon Howe and Gracie Neff.
The award was endowed in 2006 to honor Dr. Kay Clapp, the professor emeritus who taught in the Department of Education. The award has recently been expanded to honor Dr. Donna Rhinesmith, who is also a professor emeritus who taught in the Department of Education. The two are powerful proponents of literacy and children’s literature. Hundreds of students and practicing teachers have been influenced by their dedication and careful mentoring.
The fund provides $500 each to a Master of Arts in Education student and a current teacher to purchase children’s literature for their professional practices. Erwin is a supplemental communication arts teacher at Brashear Schools. Schneller is a graduate student at Truman. Howe is a reading intervention teacher at La Plata Schools. Neff was recognized as a graduate student at Truman and is now a second-grade teacher at Kirksville Primary School.
The awards were presented March 27 during the closing ceremony of the 15th annual Children’s Literature Festival.
The award was endowed in 2006 to honor Dr. Kay Clapp, the professor emeritus who taught in the Department of Education. The award has recently been expanded to honor Dr. Donna Rhinesmith, who is also a professor emeritus who taught in the Department of Education. The two are powerful proponents of literacy and children’s literature. Hundreds of students and practicing teachers have been influenced by their dedication and careful mentoring.
The fund provides $500 each to a Master of Arts in Education student and a current teacher to purchase children’s literature for their professional practices. Erwin is a supplemental communication arts teacher at Brashear Schools. Schneller is a graduate student at Truman. Howe is a reading intervention teacher at La Plata Schools. Neff was recognized as a graduate student at Truman and is now a second-grade teacher at Kirksville Primary School.
The awards were presented March 27 during the closing ceremony of the 15th annual Children’s Literature Festival.
