Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalists

2007-08 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalists

Ronna L. Ford
Lebanon Technology and Career Center
Lebanon School District

Sue Haugen
Lewis and Clark Middle School
Jefferson City School District

Kristin L. Jackson
Harrisonville High School
Harrisonville School District

Nicole "Cole" Ratner
Twillman Elementary School
Hazelwood School District

Nancy Y. Smith
Lafayette High School
Rockwood School District

Ronna Ford — Family and Consumer Sciences, Grades 9-12

“Teachers must be able to look in the mirror and see ourselves for what we are: some of the most important people on the planet. Captains of industry cannot rival what we do for the economy; philosophers do less for the care and growth of humanity.”

Lebanon Technology and Career Center

757 Brice Street
Lebanon, MO 65536
(417) 532-5494

Teaching experience: 23 years

Superintendent: Dr. Duane Widhalm
Principal: Ms. Gail Holcomb
Contact Ronna Ford

Sue Haugen — Math, Grade 6

“I love the challenge of taking an ‘I can’t' and turning it into a ‘look what I can do!’ How could someone not relish the opportunity to work with people and take them from a level of not understanding to where their faces glow and their chests puff out in pride at what they can accomplish?”

Lewis and Clark Middle School

325 Lewis and Clark Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3200

Teaching experience: 12 years

Superintendent: Dr. Bert Kimble
Principal: Dr. Robert Steffes
Contact Sue Haugen

Kristin Jackson — Chemistry, Grades 10-12

“I have discovered in 10 years of teaching, I am as much a student in my classroom as I am a teacher. My students have helped me develop into the teacher I am and will push me into the teacher I can become.”

Harrisonville High School
1504 East Elm
Harrisonville, MO 64701
(816) 380-3273

Teaching experience: 10 years

Superintendent: Mr. Doug Van Zyl
Principal: Mr. Tim Quinn
Contact Kristin Jackson

Nicole "Cole" Ratner — Grade 5

“I work every day to be the kind of teacher I was never lucky enough to have as a child – one who listens to students and understands their struggles. I make sure that the children know that I care deeply about them and their learning.”

Twillman Elementary School
11831 Bellefontaine Road
St. Louis, MO 63138
(314) 953-4850

Teaching experience: Four years

Superintendent: Dr. Chris Wright
Principal: Ms. Brenda Harris

Contact Nicole Ratner

Nancy Smith — Journalism, Grades 9-12

“No other profession has the impact on society that we do. I often do not know the impact of a lesson, a question answered or a word of encouragement shared. But I know I make a difference every single day to at least one student. Being a teacher is a wonderful gift. I accept it with gratitude and a sense of purpose each day.”

Lafayette High School
17050 Clayton Road
Wildwood, MO 63011
(636) 458-7200

Teaching experience: 21 years

Superintendent: Dr. Craig Larson
Principal: Mr. John Shaughnesy
Contact Nancy Smith