Vol. 39, No. 29

August 24, 2005

Finalists Selected for Missouri
Teacher of the Year Award

State education officials announced today six educators as finalists in the 2005-2006 Missouri Teacher of the Year program.

Nominations for the award were submitted by 54 public school districts across the state. A selection committee appointed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reviewed the candidates’ written applications and chose the finalists yesterday (Aug. 23) in Jefferson City. The finalists are:

  • Paula Berner, music teacher, Litzsinger School, Special School District of St. Louis County

  • Ross Bullington, eighth-grade science teacher, Washington Middle School, Mehlville School District

  • Myra Collins, first-grade teacher, Kirksville Primary School, Kirksville School District

  • Brad Peck, history teacher, Truman High School, Independence School District

  • Christine Renault, English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, Highland Park Elementary School, Lee’s Summit School District

  • Girard Thornton Jr., physical education teacher, Warren Elementary School, Francis Howell School District

The selection committee will interview the finalists Sept. 1 in Jefferson City to select the new Missouri Teacher of the Year. Missouri’s Teacher of the Year automatically becomes a candidate in the national Teacher of the Year program.