TEACHERS GET BIG REWARDS -- THIS TIME IN CASH

How satisfying it must have been for Dr. Jerry Kinder to see the appreciation in 10 teachers' eyes as he awarded them $10,000 each for their efforts.

Kinder and his brother, Richard Kinder of Houston established the Edna C. Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards earlier this year to honor their late mother, a dedicated teacher at May Greene Elementary School.

Winners were nominated by their peers and can use the money any way they want, no strings attached.

They were Lawrence Brookins and Mark Hahn from Central Junior High School, Saundra Fidler and Betty Schuetts from Louis J. Schultz School, Julia Jorgensen and Kathy Wright from Central High School, Diane LeGrand from Clippard Elementary School, Mary Ann Lewis from Blanchard Elementary School, Tim Pensel from the Career and Technology Center and Mary Ann Stamp from Schrader Elementary School.

Hats off to these great teachers and the two men who made the financial commitment to honor them.