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ST. LOUIS — Just as a new state law forced school districts across Missouri to upend their 2020-2021 calendars, a snowstorm blew through to derail this year’s schedule.

Under the law signed in July by Gov. Mike Parson, public schools cannot start their fall semester more than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September starting in 2020. The move was opposed by school leaders but pushed by the tourism industry, which covets the extra vacation days in August.

As 2019 draws to a close, our reporters reflect on the most memorable stories they covered this year.

After 14 years on the health care beat, I switched to covering education last spring. The beat change has been invigorating and busy as I set a goal of visiting three schools a week. I am always inspired by the teachers, administrators and students that I meet, and honored to tell their stories.