Jerseyville Elementary Teacher Surprised With Homegrown Hero Award

JERSEYVILLE – Diane Fessler walked into a complete surprise on Tuesday afternoon.

Fessler, a second grade teacher at East Elementary in Jerseyville, was presented with the Homegrown Hero Award from the St. Louis District Dairy Council on May 12, 2026. Family, faculty, and staff piled into the school’s cafeteria to show their support just before 3 p.m.

The award presentation came as a shock to Fessler, who thought everyone had gathered to celebrate her retirement from Jersey Community Unit School District 100 after a teaching career of 33 years. Instead, Fessler was honored for the positive impact she’s made through her decades of compassionate education.

Meagan Modrusic, a nutrition educator with the St. Louis District Dairy Council, presented Fessler with the Homegrown Hero Award.

“The Homegrown Hero Award was created to recognize individuals who go above and beyond to improve the lives of others in their schools and communities,” Modrusic said. “Each year, schools across Missouri and Illinois nominate people who make a difference through their hard work, compassion, and dedication to serving others.”

Modrusic added Fessler was nominated by three different people who submitted heartfelt nomination letters, which Modrusic read from. One letter noted Fessler’s farm-raised roots and the importance she places on both healthy food and quality education.

“Raised on a farm, Diane understands the value of hard work ad the importance of growing healthy food that keeps our community strong,” one letter read. “Her passion for helping others, strong work ethic, and dedication to both farming and education have makes a meaningful difference in our community every day.”

Another letter spoke to Fessler’s sense of compassion towards each of her students over the decades.

“Diane Fessler surely represents what it means to be a Homegrown Hero. As a second grade teacher, she has helped shape the lives of generations of children,” the second letter read. “I can attest to the compassion, patience, and understanding that she shows every child who walks through her door. She has a special ability to make students feel valued, supported, and capable.”

Citing her investment of time and effort into Jersey 100, the third letter said Fessler “represents the best of us.”

“Seeing her impact from both sides of the teacher’s desk has shown me the consistency of her character,” the third letter read. “She is a woman who stayed and poured her heart back into the soil and the school system that raised her, and who mentored both students and colleagues with grace. Her career has been a masterclass in service.”

Modrusic said each letter truly reflected the many reasons Fessler is an especially deserving recipient of the Homegrown Hero Award.

“Diane represents the spirit of what it means to be a Homegrown Hero – someone who quietly, consistently shows up for others and makes a lasting difference every single day,” Modrusic said.

Congratulations to Fessler for earning the Homegrown Hero Award from the St. Louis District Dairy Council and for her 33 years with Jersey Community Unit School District 100!

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