Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Mark Alan Anderson — Art and Graphic Design, Grades 9-12

“I believe the loftiest goal of education — not just art education but all learning — is to empower learners. We cannot be satisfied with simply passing along knowledge; educators are charged with the creation of learners, and we must foster a desire to continue learning as a lifelong pursuit.”

North Kansas City School District

Oak Park High School

Kansas City, MO  64118

(816) 413-5300

Teaching experience:  4 years

Superintendent:  Dr. Thomas Cummings

Principal:  Mr. Fred Skretta

E-Mail: Mr. Anderson

Rani Khakh — Third Grade

“It is my firm belief that instruction and academic performance are a collaborative process and that a winning educational team includes not only the student and teacher, but the parents as well.”

Blue Springs School District

Franklin Smith Elementary School

1609 Clark Road

Blue Springs, MO  64015

(816) 224-1375

Teaching experience:  9 years

Superintendent:  Dr. Paul Kinder

Principal: Mrs. Janet Castle

E-Mail: Ms. Khakh

Shelli Lee — Preschool

“If someone had asked me what my philosophy of teaching was when I first began 15 years ago, I may have thrown out a phrase like, 'All children can learn.' Years of experience and change have taught me that the reality of it is just the opposite. Today, my perceptions have been slightly modified to say, 'All teachers can learn.' ”

Lafayette County C-I School District

Grandview Elementary School

705 West 31st Street

Higginsville, MO  64037

(660) 584-7127

Teaching experience: 15 years

Superintendent:  Mr. David Lawrence

Principal: Mrs. Ginger Cochran
E-Mail: Ms. Lee

Kirt Mosier — Orchestra, Grades 7-12

“I believe that I have been given a marvelous pedestal as a teacher, and I want to use it as a stepping place for students to jump up into lives that inspire and contribute to this world; lives that are stamped with the beauty of music and striving for excellence in all facets of life.”

Lee’s Summit R-VII School District

Lee’s Summit West High School

2600 SW Ward Road

Lee’s Summit, MO  64081

(816) 986-4005

Teaching experience: 21 years

Superintendent:  Dr. David McGehee

Principal:  Dr. Cindy Bateman

E-Mail: Mr. Mosier

Mariah Spanglet — Special Education, Elementary

“While educating students about math, science, reading and other essentials, as teachers we are also responsible for molding students into responsible citizens.”

Special School District

Flynn Park Elementary School

7720 Waterman

University City, MO  63130

(314) 290-4421

Teaching experience: 16 years

Superintendent:  Mr. John Cary

Principal:  Mrs. DeAun Blumberg

E-Mail: Ms. Spanglet