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4-H background important to MRTA distinguished retiree

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DyAnna (Short) Shaver is a 2021 distinguished retiree nominee  and will be honored for her accomplishments, which includes an extensive background in 4-H, during the Missouri Retired Teachers Association’s (MRTA) Region 10 meeting on Oct. 20 in Marshfield.

Ron and DyAnna Shaver own Shaverside Farms and raise registered black angus cattle. Retirement is a full-time job. While checking cattle and working on the farm, she often reflects about the 20 years of teaching.

“My years teaching and building relationships with my students were some of the best,” said DyAnna Shaver. “I not only helped them shape their lives, but they did mine as well.”

Biography

Shaver is the daughter of the late Gene and Jean Short, of Republic. She is a native of Republic, where she grew up on a dairy farm, a Century Farm, with her two brothers, Greg and Gary, and sister, LuDena. She graduated from Republic High School.

While growing up, DyAnna was involved in 4-H and the youth group at the First Christian Church of Republic. Other than watching her younger siblings, this was the beginning of her “teaching” roots helping with Vacation Bible School and being a 4-H leader teaching children.

The turning point of changing her major from accounting to education was when a group of 4-H members went to present skits about 4-H to students at Springfield elementary schools. The goal was to let people know about 4-H and that it was for everyone not just for country kids. Students came up and asked DyAnna for her autograph. She decided that a teaching profession would be a great accomplishment in passing knowledge she has learned to others. It is important to help others learn.

While employed at Ramey’s Supermarket in Republic for 12 years, DyAnna attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University). She graduated from SMSU majoring in office administration and business education and worked toward minoring in agriculture. Besides working three jobs to put herself through college, DyAnna participated in intramural sports, was a Little Sister to Alpha Gamma Sigma, was the first editor for Ag News (which is still published today), a member of Saddle and Rodeo Club, Ag Club, MSTA, 4-H Collegiate Club and she also received the Outstanding Senior Member Award in Ag Club.

Through showing cattle and classification, she met Ron Shaver. They were married in 1984 and DyAnna moved to Lathrop, where they milked registered Holstein cows and did row crops. In 1989, their son, Sheldon, was born. That made child number five for Ron. DyAnna was one of three people that was on the start up team for North American Education Center in Kansas City in 1985. DyAnna was hired as Director of Education, but took over responsibilities of financial aid, placement and promoted to the director within a span of 15 months from hire date.

In 1993, Ron accepted a position with MFA, Inc. as a feed sales specialist. They sold the dairy and moved to Wright County. DyAnna was employed by Pamperien’s Home Furnishings and Darrah & Company, P.C. Certified Public Accountants before beginning her career at Norwood R-I School in August of 1997.

From 1998-2005, DyAnna took graduate classes from Lindenwood University, Missouri University, Central Missouri State University and Southwest Baptist University. DyAnna graduated with a Masters of Education in secondary administration from Williams Woods University in Fulton in May of 2011.

The first year at Norwood, she was a para-educator for Title I and special education. DyAnna retired in May of 2017 with 20 years of service at the Norwood R-I School District. DyAnna held many leadership roles during her tenure at Norwood. She was president of Community Teachers Association for over 10 years, current president of FFA Parents and Friends, president of Parent Teacher Student Organization, athletic boosters and music boosters.