Kinder awards laud 10 top teachers

There are lots of ways to let people know what a great woman your mother was.

And there are lots of ways to tell professionals they're great at what they do.

But the Kinder brothers have found a remarkable way to combine the two with wonderful results.

Jerry Kinder, a doctor, and Richard Kinder, a successful businessman, are Cape Girardeau natives who have established the Edna C. Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards to pay tribute to their mother.

Mrs. Kinder taught special education at May Greene Elementary School for many years. The awards are $10,000 cash gifts that the 10 Cape Girardeau School District teachers who win can use however they want.

The 10 are nominated by their peers and selected by a panel.

This year's winners are Don Porter of Central Junior High, Julie Harrington of Franklin Elementary, Mary LeGrand of Central Junior High, Sharon Williams of Alma Schrader Elementary, Kinder, Dava Knotts of Jefferson Elementary, Cathy Cook of Clippard Elementary, Theresa Burke of Blanchard Elementary, Janet Wigfall of Central Middle School, Steve Schaffner of Central High School and Charlotte Gregory of Central Junior High.

Congratulations to this year's list of outstanding honorees, and a special thank you to the Kinders for making these special awards possible.