Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Debbie Schatteman, River Bend Elementary School's Teacher of the Year, seeks to make kindergarten a strong foundation for her students' education.
River Bend Elementary School's Teacher of the Year recognizes that her students are more likely to succeed in the future if she gives them a great experience in her kindergarten classroom. Kindergarten teacher Debbie Schatteman said she works to make the first year of school a positive adventure for her kindergarten students. “The first year has to be a wonderful experience. It sets them up for the future,” she said. “I want my students to have enthusiasm for school.” The kindergarten classroom of today is much more than coloring and group play. Students learn beginning reading, writing, math, social studies, science and computer technology. Life and social skills such as respect and caring for others, problem-solving and trustworthiness …
38.682074
-90.504704
River Bend Elementary School
224 River Valley Dr, Chesterfield, MO
Parkway School District
/articles/top-teacher-forms-relationships-to-address-student-needs
1731650
/locations/4283347
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Karen Corbett, in her 32nd year as an English teacher, likes to "fly under the radar," but appreciates the Teacher of the Year honor.
Karen Corbett has taught English for 32 years in the the Rockwood School District. This year, she was named Teacher of the Year at Marquette High School. She said she wasn't accustomed to all the attention and preferred less fanfare. “There are many excellent educators at Marquette. It makes me proud that they respect and appreciate me," Corbett said. “I had an inspirational English teacher in high school. The teacher would conference with a student, which is something no one did at that time. It made such an impact on my education.” Corbett began her career at Eureka High School where she started the Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition program. AP courses allow students to earn college credit through an end-of-course test. …
38.62395
-90.58084
Marquette High School
2351 Clarkson Rd, Chesterfield, MO
Rockwood School District
/articles/veteran-educator-chosen-as-marquettes-teacher-of-the-year
843659
/locations/4143603
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Angie Guccione is inspired by her co-workers' enthusiasm for teaching.
Angie Guccione caught the teaching bug early. In fact, she caught it from her second grade teacher, who she says inspired her to teach. Guccione is now a fourth grade teacher and Highcroft Ridge Elementary's Teacher of the Year. "To say I’m surprised and humbled is an understatement," she said. "I am excited to be working with this inspiring group of educators. Their enthusiasm for teaching is contagious." She began her career in the Jennings School District and also taught in Ladue Schools before taking a hiatus to raise her children. During that time she owned a dance studio and served as an instructor. "Owning the studio served me well when my children were young. I taught in the evenings so my husband would be home with the kids. But…
38.64584
-90.54979
Highcroft Ridge Elementary School
15380 Highcroft Dr, Chesterfield, MO
Parkway School District
/articles/focusing-on-student-strengths-is-emphasis-for-highcroft-ridges-teacher-of-the-year
842333
/locations/4087538
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Allison Deppeler, special education teacher for preschool students, has been named a Teacher of the Year in the Rockwood School District.
A teacher who makes house calls has been named the Rockwood School District Early Childhood Teacher of the Year. "It’s such an honor, and it’s nice to know that my hard work is recognized by others," Allison Deppeler said of the award. After earning her master’s degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, Deppeler taught at a private preschool. She learned about the early childhood program at Rockwood and was encouraged by her peers to seek a position. She applied and was hired seven years ago. Though Early Childhood Education Department has a location in Chesterfield at the Clarkson Valley Early Childhood Center, Deppeler spends most of her time at Ballwin Elementary, where she is a special education preschool teacher. In the …
38.591009
-90.542425
400 Jefferson Ave, Ballwin, MO
Ballwin Elementary School, Rockwood School District
/articles/early-childhood-teacher-focuses-on-relationships-with-students-family
/locations/4011062
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Jody Eisele loves science and passes it on to her students by setting high standards and keeping lessons relevant to kids.
Jody Eisele, a science teacher, has been honored as Parkway West Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. Eisele, who is in her third year at West Middle, said she can’t believe she was selected. “I am amazed and completely indebted to my colleagues. It’s an honor to be named with the other teachers selected for this award,” Eisele said. As a child, Eisele was interested in the environment, landscapes, travel and camping. Her love of the outdoors led her to the field of science. She attended Southeast Missouri State and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. “I knew science was where I wanted to be,” Eisele said. “I worked as a day camp counselor and just clicked with middle school students. Then I …
38.6218
-90.54479
2312 Baxter Rd, Chesterfield, MO
Parkway West Middle School
/articles/parkway-west-middle-school-science-teacher-mixes-laughter-with-learning
/locations/3896646
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Suzanne Whitford of Wild Horse Elementary credits colleagues for her development as a teacher.
Suzanne Whitford, a fifth grade teacher at Wild Horse Elementary, is an advocate for technology in the classroom. Whitford was named Teacher of the Year at her school. “I’m proud to be named as Teacher of the Year for our school,” Whitford said. “But I have some big shoes to fill. There are so many outstanding teammates here who helped me develop as a teacher,” she added. “My mother is a great teacher and she was instrumental in my wanting to be a teacher.” Whitford, who has been teaching for only five years, came to Wild Horse Elementary as a graduate of Illinois State University. She's since earned a master’s degree in educational technology from Webster University. Whitford feels that remaining up-to-date with technology and …
38.657984
-90.584582
Wild Horse Elementary School
16695 Wild Horse Creek Rd, Chesterfield, MO
Rockwood School District
/articles/fifth-year-educator-receives-teacher-of-the-year-honor
842634
/locations/4029499
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Colleen O'Toole reaches students with her open-door philosophy.
Colleen O'Toole has been chosen as Parkway West High School's Teacher of the Year. O'Toole, a 10-year veteran of West High, teaches general science, chemistry, physics and astronomy. "There are so many fantastic teachers here. Receiving this honor makes me want to continue to push to be better. I hope to continue to grow as a teacher," O'Toole said. While in college, O'Toole spent time in Costa Rica interning in a food lab and learning Spanish. After graduating with a degree in food science, O'Toole worked for a food company in product development before turning to teaching. "Both of my parents were teachers. I didn't really plan to teach," she said. "But after growing up a bit, I realized teaching science was what I wanted to do. I've …
38.620521
-90.534103
14653 Clayton Rd, Ballwin, MO
Parkway West High School
/articles/science-teacher-named-parkway-west-highs-teacher-of-the-year
/locations/3764278
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Carol Lena has taught at Central Middle School for 13 years.
Carol Lena has been selected as the Parkway Central Middle School Teacher of the Year. Lena, who is a Special School District (SSD) resource teacher, said she was humbled by the announcement. “I’m in awe of many teachers in this school. Forty names come to mind. The caliber of teachers is so great, and it’s nice to know they think that much of you as a colleague,” she said. Lena completed her student teaching experience in English, but instead chose to work in special education. Even with the greater academic needs in special education classes, she said she felt it was the best place for her to reach students. She said smaller class sizes allow her to know her students and make a difference. “As an SSD teacher, I get to know the whole …
38.667131
-90.501312
Parkway Central Middle School
471 N Woods Mill Rd, Chesterfield, MO
/articles/parkway-central-middle-teacher-treats-students-staff-like-family
843268
/locations/4062572
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
This is the first year that librarians have been eligible for selection in the annual program.
Chesterfield Elementary School's 2011 Teacher of the Year is a teacher of a different sort. Pat Sainz is the librarian at the school. "I am pleased that teachers value the work I do with the students. The honor is motivational for me. It means teachers feel I fulfill a need for their students and in the classroom," Sainz said. She was a high school teacher at the beginning of her career. She then taught middle school, and when her daughters were young, she worked as a preschool teacher. As her children got older, Sainz earned her library certification. Sainz integrates library skills into classroom lessons, so she's teaching at the point of need. For example, if a class is working on a research unit, Sainz will teach the students how to …
38.65463
-90.63657
Chesterfield Elementary School
17700 Wild Horse Creek Rd, Chesterfield, MO
/articles/chesterfield-elementary-names-librarian-2011-teacher-of-the-year
843698
/locations/3615995
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
First-grade teacher Debbie Sachs emphasizes reading as a learning tool in her classroom.
After teaching for 28 years, the enthusiasm is still evident in the eyes of Debbie Sachs. Sachs was named Teacher of the Year at Green Trails Elementary. “I am so honored to be named, but every teacher should be recognized for their work,” Sachs said. “Due to her passion for reaching every child and her integrity as a person, she was chosen by her colleagues to represent our school,” said Dr. Renee Sommers, principal at Green Trails. Sachs always envisioned being an educator and began her career as a fifth-grade teacher. But, when an opportunity to teach first grade arose, she jumped at it. “Literacy had become an important aspect of my teaching philosophy, and I knew in my heart that I wanted to influence the development of literacy in a…
38.66911
-90.52873
Green Trails Elementary School
170 Portico Dr, Chesterfield, MO
/articles/literacy-is-key-for-green-trails-teacher-of-the-year
843281
/locations/3541406
