After spending nearly two decades helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom, Regina Moore is taking on a new role where she hopes to make an impact even earlier in a student's educational journey.
The Hillsboro R-3 School District has announced the promotion of Moore as the next Dean of Students and 6th Grade English Language Arts teacher at Hillsboro Intermediate School. She succeeds Jenny Welker, who recently accepted a position as assistant principal at Hillsboro High School.
A familiar face throughout the district, Moore has spent the past 17 years teaching at Hillsboro High School and The Learning Center. During that time, she taught English as well as elective courses in agriculture and career exploration. Her classes often connected students with local business leaders and professionals, helping them explore career opportunities and gain real-world experience. Many students ultimately secured employment opportunities through connections made in her classroom.
"I love all students like they're my own," Moore said. "I call them my kids all the time."
For Moore, education has always been about more than academics. Her classes focused heavily on helping students develop practical skills they could use long after graduation.
"I taught life skills. Real-life skills," Moore said. "Everything from doing laundry and touring apartments to understanding the cost of living and learning how to build credit."
Associate Superintendent Melissa Hildebrand said Moore's ability to build meaningful relationships and connect with students made her a natural fit for the position.
"Regina has a remarkable ability to connect with students from all backgrounds and experiences," Hildebrand said. "She takes time to build genuine relationships, helping all students feel supported and understood. Regina consistently creates an environment where students can thrive. Her commitment to developing meaningful connections with students, families, and staff has made a lasting impact on our schools and our community."
Moore holds an associate degree in teacher education from Jefferson College, a bachelor's degree in secondary education and English from Southeast Missouri State University, and a master's degree in educational leadership from Southeast Missouri State University.
As she prepares for her new role at the Intermediate School, Moore says she is excited about the opportunity to connect with students during a pivotal stage of their development.
"The Intermediate School years are when students begin to figure out who they are and where they want to go," Moore said. "Helping students, especially those facing difficult situations, is something I am very passionate about."
Before entering the classroom, Moore spent seven years as a Hillsboro R-3 school bus driver. What began as a practical career decision quickly grew into a lifelong passion for education.
"My husband's job became more dangerous and demanding working in construction zones along the interstate," Moore said. "We needed a backup plan in case something happened, and I just love being around children."
That backup plan turned into a 24-year career dedicated to serving students in Hillsboro R-3.
Education also runs deep in Moore's family. She is a fourth-generation Hillsboro R-3 employee, and all of her children graduated from Hillsboro High School and went on to earn college degrees. Today, she is the proud grandmother of three grandchildren, including one recent Hillsboro graduate, a future seventh grader, and a future third grader.
Moore will begin her new position as Dean of Students and 6th Grade ELA teacher at Hillsboro Intermediate School this August.
Please join the Hillsboro R-3 School District in congratulating Regina Moore on her promotion.