More than 100 St. Louis area educators were recognized for their work, achievements, enthusiasm and dedication as classroom instructors with the presentation of the annual Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards on November 20.
Now in it’s 16th year, the Emerson Excellence in Teaching program is one of the St. Louis area’s most prestigious teacher recognition programs. Teachers from Missouri and Illinois, from grade levels kindergarten through college, from schools public and private, were recognized. The honorees have been selected by the administrators of their school districts or educational institutions as examples of outstanding educational excellence.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards program is sponsored by Emerson, the diversified global manufacturer that is headquartered in St. Louis.
“Classroom teachers should be ranked among the most important and most influential people of any community because they play such a crucial role in the shaping of young people’s lives,” said David N. Farr, chairman and chief executive officer of Emerson.
Awardees fom St. Louis City Public Schools included: Karen M. Bequette, Froebel School; Patricia Hubbard, Gateway Math, Science and Technology Elementary Magnet School; Jo Ann E. Lombardo, Ralph Bunche International; Martine Bates McGull, Herzog School; Marsha Y. Merry; McKinley Classical Junior Academy; Rose Marie Nester, Euclid/Washington Montessori Complex; Marianne Powers, Shaw VPA CEC.
Awardees from St. Louis County Public Schools included Kathleen I. Bruckner, Rogers Middle School; Susan Reuter, Bayless Junior High; Richard Niemann, Brentwood High School; Ann Edmonds, Glenridge Elementary School; Cellie Boyd, Robinwood Elementary School; Kimberly Roach, Hancock Elementary; Susan Dirnbeck, Lawson Elementary School; Risa M. Schoene, Hazelwood Central High School; Barbara Pener, Nipher Middle School; Amy Kaiser, Lindbergh High School; Pam Wood, Maplewood Richmond Heights Early Childhood Center; Jacqueline Contejean, Lucas Crossing Elementary Complex; Michael F. Hopkins, Parkway South High School; Dixie Tipton, Rose Acres Elementary School; Diane Muench Dowdy, Marion Elementary School; Jacqueline K. Griffin, Meadows Elementary School; Debbie Baebler, Early Childhood Center at Vandover; Andrew Gensler, Eureka High School; Judith M. Lund, Selvidge Middle School; Judy Goldthree, Brittany Woods Middle School; Glenda Young, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School; Lois Jacobs, Valley Park Elementary School.
Awardees from Special School District of St. Louis County included: Laurie Jay, Brentwood, Ladue and Maplewood School Districts; Michelle Knight, Parkway North High School; Shirley Sanders, North County Technical High School; Cynthia Trujillo, Ross Elementary School.
