CHAMBER SELECTS FIVE AS FIRST EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR

Five Cape Girardeau educators have been honored as the first Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Educators of the Year.

Honorees are Carol Reimann, elementary education; Tammy Sue Brotherton, secondary education; Joseph "Bud" Thompson, vocational education; Marjorie Engleman, special education; and Sister Mary Ann Fischer, administration.

The award program is sponsored by the chamber's education committee.

Reimann is a first-grade teacher at Clippard Elementary School, and has taught for 26 years. "Education must be a very positive experience, especially in first grade," Reimann said in her application. "I truly feel that I have a great responsibility because this first year of real school sets the tone and feelings for many educational experiences for years in the future."

Brotherton is a social studies teacher at L.J. Schultz School, and has taught for five years. "My philosophy of teaching is student based," she said in her application. "I believe teachers are not only there to teach subject matter, but also to be a positive role model and a cheerleader for students."

Thompson teaches building trades I and II. He has 13 years of teaching experience. "The goal of education is to accept each student as he is, to share with him a given curriculum, to open the doors of communication, and let the student discover where that knowledge takes him," Thompson said.

Engleman teaches remedial reading and reading recovery. She has 24 years of teaching experience. "I continue to provide the children who come to me with an atmosphere in which they can make the most of the opportunities that come their way," Engleman said. "They will be made to feel free to discover both their limitations and their strengths. I endeavor to search for avenues to help them use their strengths, to minimize their limitations."

Fischer is principal of Notre Dame High School. She has 27 years of education experience. "To educate means enabling persons to reach the fullness of their potential as individuals created in God's image and assisting them to direct their gifts toward building the Earth. These words appear on a poster hanging on the wall in my office reminding me of why I am here," said Fischer.

From those nominated who submitted their application, one educator in each category was chosen by a five-member panel.

"It is a privilege to have so many outstanding educators in our city," said Kim McDowell, Chamber of Commerce education committee chairman. "Those five chosen to be honored this year are examples of the very fine nominees, as well as the entire teaching and administrative talents in our schools today. We do not lack in positive education leadership in the community. These five individuals are being honored in behalf of all our educators as well as their own individual achievement."

The public is invited to the Educators of the Year Awards Dinner May 3 at Drury Lodge. Honorees will receive special recognition and a $250 cash award. For dinner reservations contact: Linda Minner, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, 335-3312.

Sponsors for the cash awards are: KBSI Fox TV, Southeast Missouri Hospital, KFVS-TV, Southeast Missourian, and Kohlfeld Distributing.