TALLENT CITED FOR BOND EFFORT

Cape Girardeau School Superintendent Dan Tallent was given a surprise award Thursday night at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Educators of the Year Awards ceremony.

The chamber presented Tallent with a resolution honoring him for his efforts in getting a $14 million bond passed in the April 1 election.

Nancy Bray, chamber education committee chairwoman, presented the award, saying: "The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce recognizes and appreciates the outstanding leadership of Dr. Tallent in guiding the Cape Girardeau public schools to victory."

Tallent said he appreciated the chamber recognizing his efforts in the bond issue but said the victory was a group effort.

"I think we can all enjoy the accomplishment," Tallent said.

The main focus of the night was to honor four people who were selected as Educators of the Year because of their educational history, community and family involvement, philosophy of teaching and their results as teachers and administrators.

Bray said the four winners were selected by a panel of judges through a lengthy interview process.

"What we're looking at overall is excellence in education, that total commitment to the profession and some indication of some special techniques," she said.

Dr. Keith Russell was the first Southeast Missouri State University professor to be nominated in the chamber's four-year history of educator presentations. He said he hopes this award might dispel the myth that university professors aren't as serious or hard working as public school teachers.

"Between teaching and professional growth, community service and professional service, we stay pretty busy," Russell said.

Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld, May Greene School principal, was presented with the administration award. She said she accepted the honor for her school because she feels like her job cannot be accomplished alone.

"We've all worked really hard the last four years and I think of this as honoring all of us," Kohlfeld said. "When you honor one of us you honor all of us."

Kathy Wright, who teaches chemistry and biology at Cape Central High School, was honored as the secondary education teacher of the year. Wright said she is rewarded all the time on her job.

"Teachers work very very hard and the rewards are the kids going on to something else," she said. Recognition from her peers and the community made this award special.

Catherine Kapfer, who works with learning disabled students at Franklin School, was named the elementary education teacher of the year. She said the award is one of the high points of her career.

"My greatest achievement has been working with a student who had a real struggle with reading and being able to know that I was able to make a difference," Kapfer said.