The Neosho, Missouri community is united in grief following the tragic loss of Annie Strickling, a beloved educator at RISE Elementary School whose life was taken in a shooting in Joplin. The heartbreaking news has left students, colleagues, families, and friends struggling to comprehend the absence of a teacher whose warmth and creativity shaped so many young lives.
Annie Strickling served as an art teacher within the Neosho School District for nearly five years, a role she embraced with enthusiasm and heart. Inside her classroom, art was more than paint and paper—it was a space for expression, confidence, and joy. Students remember her for encouraging creativity, celebrating individuality, and making every child feel seen and valued. Her energy was infectious, and her classroom reflected her belief that learning should be both meaningful and joyful.
The Neosho School District shared its deep sorrow in a statement, describing Annie as an important and dedicated member of the school community. Administrators and colleagues spoke of her commitment to students and the positive spirit she brought to RISE Elementary each day. In response to the immense emotional impact, the district has made additional counseling support available to students and staff, recognizing the profound effect this loss has had on the entire community.
Friends who knew Annie long before her teaching career remember the same kindness and light that later defined her classroom. Kagan Thompson shared heartfelt memories of growing up alongside Annie—sleepovers, mall trips, movie nights, and cheer days that captured the innocence of childhood. Even as adults, those encounters never changed. Annie was always quick with a smile, a hug, and genuine words of care, leaving people feeling better simply for having seen her.
The tragedy has also reignited conversations around safety, compassion, and the need to protect the people who dedicate their lives to educating and nurturing children. For many families in Neosho, Annie was not just a teacher but a trusted presence, someone who helped children discover confidence through creativity and color.
As the community continues to mourn, Annie Strickling is being remembered for her laughter, her kindness, and her unwavering dedication to her students. Her influence lives on in the artwork hanging in hallways, in the confidence she helped build, and in the countless memories shared by those who loved her. Though her absence is deeply felt, the light she gave to others continues to shine through the lives she touched.
