History
In the spring of 1940, ten secretaries were called to Jefferson City to set in motion plans to organize the Missouri State Association of School Secretaries. This name was later changed to the Missouri Association of Educational Secretaries. Mr. Lloyd W. King, State Superintendent of Schools, was interested and instrumental in the organization of this group, which held its first meeting on November 8, 1940, at the Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City. Martha Painter was elected President and Adeline Fangman was elected Recording Secretary.
There were 23 paid members at the end of the first fiscal year. The first check of $5 was sent in to affiliate the Missouri Association of School Secretaries with the National Association on August 21, 1941. The first house organ (publication), The Missouri Educational Secretary, appeared in 1941. Its editor was Jane Trogdon. The largest circulation for the magazine was in the early 1970’s when our membership reached over 1,000!
The name of the Association was later changed from Secretaries to Office Personnel and, most recently, to Professionals in keeping with the National Association.
Jean DeBerry Fritsche from St. Louis County, who served as president of MAEOP for the 1959-61 term, went on to serve as NAEOP president in 1965-66. Her theme was, “Key to Opportunity." To this date she is the only Missouri member ever to serve as National president.
MAEOP member, Margaret Elder, CEOE, was installed as the NAREOP (National Association of Retired Educational Office Professionals) President in 2006. Her theme was "Unlock the Future, with Keys from the Past."
In 2014, Missouri's Debbie Geib, CEOE, became the Executive Director of NAEOP. She was MAEOP President in 2009-2010, with the theme of "Back 2 Basics."
Jacyln Haake, CEOE
2025 Olive T. Ritchie Office Professional of the Year
Jaclyn is truly deserving of this award! She is professional, dedicated, creative, inspirational, and an invaluable asset.
Jaclyn joined MAEOP in 2020. I vividly remember our first meeting. Sue Roesch, a retiree, invited Jaclyn to our spring installation conference in Columbia. At the time, Jaclyn was significantly pregnant with her third child. Although quiet, she immediately made a strong impression on me, and she has continued to do so ever since.
She quickly became involved in the organization. Jaclyn is currently serving her second term as the board secretary. She also chairs our promotions committee, consistently bringing fresh, innovative ideas for merchandise, such as the excellent T-shirt iron-ons! She has chaired several MAEOP conferences and provided invaluable behind-the-scenes support for others she hasn't chaired. Additionally, Jaclyn currently serves as the president of GWAEOP, my local organization. These are just a few of her many leadership roles, as her contributions are extensive.
Jaclyn brings a fresh perspective to every endeavor. She is simply amazing!
Thank you,
MAEOP President
Michelle Doering, CEOE
Pamela Hecker, CEOE
2022 Olive T. Ritchie Office Professional of the Year
Pamela Hecker, Raymore-Peculiar School District, Peculiar, MO, has been an Educational Office Professional for 16 years. She has served in the capacity of: Office Assistant, Finance Secretary, Bookkeeper, Finance Specialist & presently Human Resource Specialist. The following was taken from her nomination packet:
Pam has a strong work ethic, and is willing to learn and grow through her local association (MAEOP) and the national association (NAEOP). Pam is committed to her local association with her commitment to serving on various committees and the Executive Board, and her strong support of Professional Development to all office professionals. Pam is not only a valuable asset to her local and national association, but also to her employer and community. She has a welcoming personality, and is always willing to help the members of MAEOP - which is a reflection of how she performs at her job and in her community. Pamela Hecker is more than deserving of this prestigious award.
Congratulations, Pam!
Annette Miller
MAEOP Member Annette Miller, who has dedicated 45 years to Independence School District, just had a floor named after her! The 2nd floor of the ISD Central Office was recently renamed the C. Annette Miller Administrative Suite. We are incredibly proud to have such amazing members of our organization!
Susan Brooker
2020 Olive T. Ritchie Office Professional of the Year
Susan Brooker has been recognized as the Olive T. Ritchie Educational Office Professional of the Year by the National Association of Educational Office Professionals. The award was presented during the association’s annual conference and awards ceremony which was held virtually this year July 20-24.
The national award is based on professional development, leadership roles in professional association, and community activities, personal contributions, and achievements.
Brooker has served in numerous roles at the local, state and national level. As a member of the Cass County Association of Educational Office Professionals (CCAEOP), she has served as president, fundraising chairperson, and Professional Standards Program representative. For the Missouri Association of Educational Office Professionals (MAEOP), she has been an executive board member, recording secretary, promotions chair, vice president, membership chair, president elect, affiliations chair, president, nominating chair, Professional Standards Program representative, and District #1 co-director. She’s also served on the MAEOP minutes review, membership, and by-laws/handbook committees. Brooker was the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP) Hospitality Chair for the national conference and the Institute/Briefing Co-Chair. In addition, she’s served on the NAEOP membership committee.
She earned the NAEOP Professional Standards Program certification and the NAEOP Certified Educational Office Employee certification (CEOE designation) in 2014 and the Recertification of NAEOP Professional Standards Program in 2019.
Congratulations!
Kim Brannon
2018 Olive T. Ritchie Office Professional of the Year
Kim Brannon, Bookkeeper and Board of Education Secretary at Halfway R-III School District, was selected as the recipient of the 2018 Olive T. Ritchie Educational Office Professional of the Year Award from the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP).
Each year NAEOP recognizes one educational office professional with the Olive T. Ritchie Educational Office Professional of the Year Award. Candidates are nominated by affiliate associations throughout the United States. Nominees are judged by an impartial panel of judges based on eligibility and written criteria involving continuing education, membership/leadership roles in professional associations, and community activities.
The first National Educational Office Professional of the Year was given in 1973 by NAEOP President Olive T. Ritchie and was called the National Educational Secretary of the Year. The award was renamed the Olive T. Richie Educational Office Professional of the Year in 1991. This award recognizes and honors an educational office professional for outstanding service in the field of education.
Kim has been employed at Halfway R-III School District for the past 13 years and served a total of 21 years in public education. She obtained the distinction of Certified Educational Office Employee in the Professional Standards Program of NAEOP in May 2009.
