TEN GET KINDER TEACHING AWARDS

Sunshine-bright smiles broke through a mist of tears as 10 Cape Girardeau teachers realized they each had been selected to receive $10,000 for teaching excellence.

Dr. Jerry Kinder attended a reception with school officials and faculty Monday afternoon to announce the freshman class of Edna C. Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award recipients. He and his brother, Richard Kinder of Houston, Texas, created the annual awards earlier this year in memory of their mother, who taught at May Greene Elementary School for many years.

Teachers were nominated by their peers for distinctive performance in educating students. Building principals also made nominations, and a committee that included school administrators and Dr. Jerry Kinder narrowed a field of more than 75 candidates to 27 semi-finalists before selecting the final 10 recipients.

"I think my mother would be very happy," said Kinder, who became teary-eyed during the presentation. "It's really with great pleasure and my privilege to grant these awards. I realize what great teachers we have in Cape."

Clippard first-grade teacher Diane LeGrand also became emotional during the presentation. Like others in the group, LeGrand said she saw several peers she would have expected to receive the honor, but she never expected herself to be among recipients.

"I'm just amazed, I think because I just absolutely love what I do," she said. "I think of his mother and how honored she is by this. How much they must have loved her to honor her like this."

Award recipients were sent to the Cape Girardeau Board of Education office by their school principals for imaginary meetings of all sorts and had no notice they were the guests of honor.

"I fell for it hook, line and sinker," said Central Junior High School science teacher Mark Hahn, who thought he was attending a committee meeting to help secondary teachers in the transition of opening a new high school in fall 2002.

Hahn said the award validated his decision to remain a teacher rather than look for a higher-paying job in the private sector.

"At times that's weighed heavy on my mind, but teaching is really what I love to do," Hahn said. "It's such a good feeling to do it."

Varsity football coach and Central Junior High "art coach" Lawrence Brookins' wife, Willetta, is a receptionist at the school board office, but she was unaware of her husband's selection for the award until he walked through the door.

She promptly backed into a corner and cried. The couple was unsure how they would spend the award, but said they planned to "give the Lord his 10 percent, and the rest will have to come later."

Several of the award recipients said they had not planned how to spend the awards and had actually nominated coworkers for the honor. Most said they would probably put part of the money into savings for their children's college educations.

Teacher Betty Schuetts, who teaches English and social studies at Louis J. Schultz School, plans to invest in computer technology for herself and her grandchildren. Some of the award also will be spent to upgrade equipment in her classroom.

"I know we don't have to do that, but I want to," she said.

Teachers will receive plaques during end-of-year assemblies at their schools next month. Checks will be presented during a dinner banquet with their spouses and Kinder family members on May 23.

Schools superintendent Dr. Dan Steska said the Kinder awards provide a much-needed highlight to the long hours and low pay teachers receive. While the monetary benefit of the award cannot be denied, the spotlight on education is important, he said.

"The fact that they wanted to send a message to this community that teachers are appreciated, teachers are worthy of honor, is commendable," Steska said. "Maybe those emotions speak the loudest.".

EDNA C. KINDER EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD RECIPIENTS

Lawrence Brookins, art teacher, Central Junior High.

Saundra Fidler, art teacher, Louis J. Schultz.

Mark Hahn, science, Central Junior High.

Julia Jorgensen, librarian, Central High.

Diane LeGrand, first-grade teacher, Charles Clippard Elementary.

Mary Ann Lewis, first-grade teacher, Barbara Blanchard Elementary.

Tim Pensel, offset printing technology, Career and Technology Center.

Betty Schuetts, English-social studies teacher, Louis J. Schultz.

Mary Ann Stamp, fifth-grade teacher, Alma Schrader Elementary.

Kathy Wright, chemistry, Central High School.