The business of recognizing educators

It takes many professionals to run a school district: administrators and maintenance personnel are essential, and so are teachers. Outstanding and well-liked educators are often honored at after-hours events hosted by the community. Prominent educators at Southeast Missouri State University greet new students at picnics and other social events.

The Cape Girardeau and Jackson chambers of commerce hold banquets every year to name their Educators of the Year. Local television station KFVS12 has an annual series called "Heartland's Best" that celebrates 12 educators in the region. Educators to be honored are vetted by the chambers and TV station through a nomination, application and selection process.

With a new school year a few months off, local chambers of commerce are already planning events to honor teachers.

Michael Wells, director of communications at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has a special teacher recognition program in August called the Teacher Appreciation Business After-Hours.

"This will be held at the Show Me Center on the 16th and sponsored by Wood & Huston Bank," said Wells. "It's organized by the Chamber's Education Committee, and it's a special time for area teachers kindergarten through 12th grade."

Wells said teachers are awarded door prizes and other gifts. He said it's a time for the business community to thank them for what they are about to embark on.

Wells said the chamber also honors educators at Southeast Missouri State University at the beginning of the new school year.

"We'll have a special appreciation event at the Show Me Center on Sept. 20," said Wells. "It's organized by our University Relations Committee, and the sponsors this year are Wood & Huston Bank and Auffenberg-Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Kia."

The chamber's annual Adopt-A-School Program begins at the start of the new school year. It is ongoing during the year and businesses choose schools and help them acquire supplies they need, said Wells.

At the end of the school year, the chamber holds an Educator of the Year Banquet every May at Drury Lodge where five educators are honored.

Linda Puchbauer is chairman of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Education Committee. She said private events are held for new teachers every year.

"Jackson R-2 has teacher workshops the week before school starts," said Puchbauer. "New teachers go to one morning event, and I'll go as will other Chamber board leaders and welcome them. The mayor and other city leaders attend to show their appreciation."

Puchbauer said a special breakfast to honor all the teachers is held on the last day of the teacher workshops.

Marybeth Williams, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has its Educator of the Year Banquet every April at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

She said nomination forms are distributed to teachers and administrators throughout the school district. The Education Committee rates the nominees.

Shirlene Hecht is the project coordinator at KFVS12, which has a series called The Heartland's Best. After school is under way, the station selects 12 teachers to be shown on the air during May. "

Television personnel drive as many as two hours to film the teachers being surprised with the award.

"We capture on film part of the emotion of the surprise when one of our anchors enter the classroom and tells the teacher," said Hecht. "The students are always excited about their teacher being called one of The Heartland's Best."