POPLAR BLUFF TEACHER IS TOPS IN MISSOURI

There are thousands of teachers in Missouri, and each year just one is honored as Missouri's Teacher of the Year. The 1999 honoree is Nancy Petersen of Poplar Bluff.

It certainly speaks reams about the talents and methods of this high school science teacher. But it also speaks well for the district, which also had a state finalist in the running last year.

Petersen has a reputation for creativity and dedication. She seeks new ways to get students' attention, even if it means doing a handstand in class wearing a pair of Mickey Mouse ears.

She accepted the award last week with a bottle of leeches in one hand and roses in the other. As we said, this is no ordinary teacher.

Petersen is known as a leader at the school who's not afraid to try unusual tactics. The students respond with enthusiasm and support, which makes classroom time all the more fun and effective.

Her motto for teaching provides a lesson not only for the classroom but for home as well: "Kids don't care what you know until they know you care."

We're from the Show Me State, and it's nice to see Southeast Missouri teachers showing the rest of the state that outstate educators are the cream of the crop.