Vol. 42, No. 59
August 14, 2008
Automobile Dealers Will Donate New Car for the Missouri Teacher of the Year
The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) is joining with state education officials to show their support for classroom teachers by donating the use of a new car to the Missouri Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of the Year for 2008-09 will be selected later this month. That person will receive the keys to a new car during the University of Missouri home football game against Kansas State on Nov. 8.
Commissioner of Education D. Kent King and leaders of the Automobile Dealers Association held a news conference today in Jefferson City to announce the group’s support for the Missouri Teacher of the Year program.
“The automobile dealers of Missouri are proud to be able to recognize the outstanding teachers who work in public schools across the state. We look forward to working with state and local school officials to strengthen the Teacher of the Year program,” said MADA Chairman Paul Broome. He is the owner of Broome Cadillac, Inc., Independence.
“Missouri’s new car dealerships make a significant economic contribution to many communities across our state. We knew that supporting the Teacher of the Year program would be a tangible way for us to show support for the schools in our communities and to help honor an outstanding Missouri educator,” said Sam Barbee, president and CEO of MADA.
Based in Jefferson City, the association represents 500 franchise automobile dealers throughout the state.
“We have been trying for several years to boost the level of support for the Teacher of the Year program. We are delighted to have MADA’s generous contribution, and we look forward to working with the organization to increase the visibility of the Teacher of the Year program statewide,” said Commissioner King.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has conducted the Teacher of the Year program annually since 1957. Missouri’s winner automatically becomes a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Any classroom teacher in a Missouri public school may be nominated for the award.
Later this month, a selection committee appointed by DESE will name six state finalists for this year’s program. Following personal interviews with each finalist, the committee will select the Teacher of the Year for 2008-09. The National Teacher of the Year is announced in April, at the White House.
MADA’s donation consists of a new leased vehicle for the Teacher of the Year. The teacher will be able to select a vehicle of his or her choice, within a specified price range, from any MADA-affiliated dealer in the area where the teacher lives.
The other Teacher of the Year finalists also will be recognized at University of Missouri football games this fall. One of the state finalists will be introduced and acknowledged at each home game before Nov. 8.