JUDY STATLER NAMED COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR

In a dinner meeting held Thursday at St. Francis Medical Center, counselor Judy Statler was named Southeast Missouri Counselor of the Year. Statler, a counselor at West Lane Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, will be recommended by the Southeast Missouri School Counselors Association for the statewide award.

"We're really excited," said Rita Fischer, who nominated Statler for the award. "Everybody that knows her knows how deserving she is."

Fischer noted Statler's development of the Parents Always Love Students group as one example of her desire to improve parental involvement in schools. The PALS program encourages parents to volunteer at West Lane and often hosts career days and other events.

"Mrs. Statler has instituted so many programs at West Lane for involvement of community and parents in the building with the students," said Fischer. "Through that she has made a lot of contacts and different groups have come from that central group."

Representatives for school districts throughout the region also gathered Thursday at the University Center Ballroom for a dinner meeting to honor Meritorious Service and Outstanding CTA Leader honorees. The regional delegates annually take positions on educational issues and discuss resolutions to be recommended to the state MSTA meeting held in the fall.

Educators from throughout the region will come together today to share information about their jobs and role in public schools.

Some 6,000 educators have been invited to the 124th annual Southeast Missouri District Teachers Meeting sponsored by the Missouri State Teachers Association. A general session featuring lecturer Sandy Queen will begin at 9 am. in Academic Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University. Department meetings will follow throughout the rest of the day.

The meetings are held annually to provide professional development opportunities for teachers, counselors and school administrators.