During the School of Education at Lincoln University’s 150th Anniversary Virtual Celebration on April 17, Phyllis Murta was acknowledged as an Educator of the Decade award recipient.
The awards …
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During the School of Education at Lincoln University’s 150th Anniversary Virtual Celebration on April 17, Phyllis Murta was acknowledged as an Educator of the Decade award recipient.
The awards were designed to recognize alumni from various decades for their contributions to the field of education. Murta graduated from Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1959.
Murta was ahead of her time when it came to diversity, equity and inclusion. She began her career at Mexico High School as a physical education teacher during the 1959-1960 school year, early in the Civil Rights Movement.
This was a time when teachers were often faced with the opposing attitudes often found in rural communities about desegregation. However, Murta had a way of making all of her young ladies feel important and included in class.
Murta was most known for her ability to develop relationships with students. Someone mentioned during the ceremony that she often shared with her students that she was a proud Blue Tiger.
Several of her former students became educators trained at Lincoln University.
As a teacher, she became a leader, participating in the local chapters of the Missouri School Teacher Association and later the Missouri Chapter of the National Education Association.
Murta promoted education outside of the classroom as well, as demonstrated with her participation in the Altrusa Organization. When she was able, Murta was an integral part of her community — serving as a business owner, realtor and even as the president of the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce.
Currently, she resides at King’s Daughters Nursing Facility in Mexico, where she still receives visits from former students that she served almost 60 years ago.
She is the wife of Bob Murta, who is a former band teacher in the Mexico School District.
Jaclyn White, a member of the 150th Anniversary committee and a former student of Murta, presented the award to her. Jo Ann Thomas, co-chaired the committee that consisted of Lincoln alumni, students and current faculty and staff.
