The Dorothy Chadwell Outstanding Educator Award was first presented at the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in 2023. The award is named after longtime Seymour, Missouri educator, Dorothy DeArmond Chadwell (September 14, 1926-June 23, 2022). Dorothy graduated from Seymour High School in 1944 and went to Southwest Missouri State Teacher’s College in Springfield, intent on becoming a journalist. However, after she completed two years of college, the Seymour School system needed a teacher, so she decided to become a teacher. She finished her bachelor’s degree on weekends, nights, and summers.
On June 8, 1952, Dorothy married Scotty Chadwell, of Mountain Grove, who was in the Air Force. His career took them to Scott Field, Illinois; Athens, Greece; Lincoln, Nebraska and Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. During this time, they were blessed with a daughter, Vanessa, and a son, Scott. Dorothy continued teaching in Illinois and Nebraska. Upon Scotty’s retirement in 1965, the family moved back to Dorothy’s beloved hometown. When their son, Scott, started school Dorothy returned to teaching. In 1975, she received her Master of Education from Drury University. Her teaching career extended for a total of 37 years. She taught multiple generations and fondly remembered each of her students.
Mrs. Chadwell served as the first Kindergarten teacher of Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival founder, Nicholas W. Inman. She was a longtime supporter and faithful attendee of the festival. She was a 2016 recipient of the Cherry Blossom Medal. The Dorothy Chadwell Outstanding Educator Award was established to honor the memory of Mrs. Chadwell and to honor the outstanding contributions to education by a longtime retired educator. The award will be presented annually during the teacher’s breakfast at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The inaugural award was presented by Vanessa Amelunke of The Woodlands, Texas.
The following retired educators have been honored with the Dorothy Chadwell Outstanding Educator Award at the annual teacher’s breakfast:
2023- Skipper Maybee