5 Jackson teachers honored as educators of the year

Described as everything from leaders and inspirations to enthusiastic and caring, five teachers were honored at Wednesday evening's Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Educator Appreciation Banquet.

Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson, the event was attended by about 150 people.

Honorees included Beth St. John, in the choir department at Jackson High School; Tammy Mueller, fourth-grade teacher at St. Paul Lutheran School; Jason Bruns, a seventh-grade science teacher at Jackson Middle School; Heather Miller, who teaches high school special education; and Lisa Goodwin, a second-grade teacher at Orchard Elementary School.

Those recognized received the Marybeth Williams Educator of the Year Award, resolutions from local elected officials and other gifts.

Chamber executive director Brian Gerau said 75 applications were received for the awards, the largest amount ever.

"I think that's a testament to the quality of educators we have in this community," said Merideth Pobst, director of foundation/communications for the Jackson School District and a 2014 Education Committee member. "And the fact that four of five of them were from the Jackson R-2 School District is impressive."

Pobst said nominations came from community members, parents, and often, other educators.

For St. John, the night was a family affair. Her sister, Christy Shinn, whom St. John co-teaches with, is a previous award winner; her brother, Matt Roethemeyer, is a physical education teacher and athletic director at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School; and her father, retired pastor Sam Roethemeyer, gave the invocation and closing prayer.

St. John, who has been teaching for 12 years, said her sister has five years on her and has been her mentor from the start.

"I'm very humbled by it and I'm also very blessed to be honored in this school district," St. John said. "This is where I grew up, so this is just a testament to the education I received."

Other recipients also were humbled.

Mueller, who has been teaching 23 years, all at St. Paul Lutheran, said she was "very surprised" at being selected. "I am truly honored. I love what I do," she said.

Bruns, whose parents came from St. Louis to be at the banquet, is in his 17th year of teaching.

"I don't do what I do for hardware," Bruns said. "I do it for the kids. I was very proud for my parents to see me get this award," because they've taught him to work hard and strive for his goals.

Miller, with nine years' experience -- seven of those in Jackson -- said she was "very excited" to win the award.

"I just feel shocked that I got it, and I've had the privilege to work with wonderful individuals at our school," she said. "I love to be a kid's best advocate, so I'm just excited and proud," she said.

Like her colleagues, Goodwin, who was joined by a large cheering section from Orchard Drive Elementary School, was "incredibly honored" and surprised by the recognition, but also honored and humbled. She has been teaching for 24 years -- 23 of them in Jackson.

"It's a wonderful experience, and to have so many people just made the night a very special night," Goodwin said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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