This season, we gave back to the hard-working teachers of Missouri. We asked YOU to tell us about the exceptional educators who go above and beyond for their students and exemplify excellence in their classrooms and communities. For the past 2 weeks, we’ve delivered 100 boxed lunches from Butler’s Boardroom to 10 different schools. From De Soto, to Oakville to Webster Groves, we’ve delivering more than lunches, we’re delivering the joy and thankfulness many of us feel about teachers.
We thank YOU for helping us do what we LOVE to do everyday and that’s giving everyone a reason to celebrate!
Tune in to what everyone is saying on Facebook.
Day 1: Jennifer Kidwell, De Soto High School
Nominated by former colleague, “Jennifer Kidwell has been a scion of the De Soto community since she began teaching here over 25 years ago. She manages the Gifted program in the high school, offering multiple options to meet their needs. As a French teacher, she is constantly innovating on new ways to teach the language that also gives students practical skills. She developed the World Languages and Culture class to give junior high students the chance to gain more cultural knowledge and understanding. In addition to all of her work in school, she is the Head Coach of the scholar bowl team, Boy Scount leader, LEO club sponsor, and freelance musician. She consistently pushes students to do their best and always strives to find innovations that help students.”
Day 2: Terri Brauer, Webster Child Care Center
Nominated by a student’s parent, “Evidence indicates children who have access to high quality early childhood programs have better outcomes in social and economic factors. They earn higher wages and have higher potential. Yet our early childhood teachers are often compensated at a rate less than what a local pizza delivery driver could earn. Terri Brauer and the other teachers in the Busy Bees classroom (Jan, Sheila and Beth) are true gems for early childhood.
Day 3: Jean Turney, The Biome School
Nominated by a former colleague, ” Jean Turney is a 20-year award winning teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Political Science, from Stephens College and a Masters degree in Adult Community Development from Regis University. Jean’s teaching experience includes elementary teaching, assistant principal, youth ministry, learning consultant, education coordinator, and adjunct professor. Jean has many accomplishments and awards including grants for educational programs, engaged multiple community partners and providing exceptional learning experiences. She served on the Council for Environmental Education 2015 and has received the following recognitions: Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship, 2019 fellow; the Missouri Art Educators, Heart for Art Award, 2015; the Christa McAuliffe “Read for the Stars” award from the National Social Studies Association 2008; the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, Missouri Humanities Council, 2010; Kathryn Nelson Keeper of Forest Park Award, 2008.
Day 4: Angela Kubasta, Kehrs Mill Elementary
Nominated by a student’s parent, “As an educator myself, I have very high expectations for teachers and Ms. Kubasta has far exceeded anything I have seen in quality of teaching. She focuses on the whole child, not just a string of facts to learn. She’s concerned with helping her Kindergarteners love to learn, become kind and generous members of their community and be excited about school. My Kindergartener is ecstatic on Sunday evenings because he “gets to go to school” the next morning. This love of learning is because Ms. Kubasta makes learning fun, interesting and makes each student and parent feel valued. She sends home daily communications about what they’ve done in class and how we can extend the students’ experiences at home by giving us questions to ask our students over dinner (e.g. “I understand you talked about personal space today, what did you learn?”).”
Day 5: Kim Balek, The Freedom School
Nominated by her supervisor, “Kim has several students in her class with trauma and complex educational needs. She has worked tirelessly to provide an individualized and effective educational plan for each one. Her love and care for her students goes above and beyond the job assigned to her.”
Day 6: Louisa Balicki-Smith, St. Raphael the Archangel Parish & School
Nominated by a student’s parent: “Mrs. Balicki-Smith is the epitome of a partner in your child’s academic success. Her role is to support the teachers when they identify that some children need additional help. Her relationship with the students and parents is inspiring. It’s hard to find a family on campus that doesn’t have a story about how she’s helped their child flourish in the classroom. We are blessed to have such a patient and kind ally in our children’s academic journey.”
Day 7: Julie Paulsen, Queen of All Saints School
Nominated by a student’s parent: “Ms. Paulsen goes over and above in helping all of her children in her classroom succeed! She is kind, compassionate & hard working. She makes learning fun and helps meet children at their level. My children often come home and talk about things Ms. Paulsen has taught them, but most importantly they know they are loved. Ms. Paulsen is a wonderful teacher and works extremely hard. My daughters have had Ms. Paulsen for the last two years at Queen of All Saints and this would be the perfect way to show her how much she is appreciated!!
Day 8: Suron Clark Premier Charter School
Nominated by her co-worker, “Suron is first and foremost, an incredible person. Her genuine kindness and gentle spirit are an incredible asset in her classroom which adds so much value to our school and to her students happiness. She walks into school every day with a huge smile on her face! Her laugh fills our hallways and her hugs welcome her students every morning. She works tirelessly and never complains about the endless workload or to do list that follows educators. Suron is a newer teacher to the profession but you would think she’s been doing it for years as she does it with so much ease. Her students adore her as do the staff. She is always quick to offer a helping hand and never minds staying late to work or popping in on the weekends to prepare for the week. She truly deserves to be recognized as an outstanding teacher in the St Louis area.”
Day 9: Julie Gates, St. Louis Catholic Academy
Nominated by school’s non profit parnters, Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation: “Julie is a passionate 1st grade teacher who not only builds rapport and trust with SLCA students, in the classroom, she extends her influence outside of the classroom in the areas of athletics and academics. She coaches the SLCA basketball team, for example, and works with the aftercare tutoring program to provide personalized one on one academic support for students beyond the school day. Julie gives her all for our SLCA students and school community, and we are proud to nominate her for this special recognition.”
Day 10: Cathy Garner, Holy Trinity Catholic School
Nominated by school’s non profit parnters, Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation:
“Cathy is a veteran teacher in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. She helps students achieve academically while finding creative ways to build character. She started and spearheaded the 100 Acts of Kindness campaign for MHT. Cathy goes above and beyond for her school community.”