Clinton School District currently has 6 staff members that are finalists for the Educators of the Year award. After speaking with Angie Lawson, the Communications Director for Clinton School District, she informed me that The Educator of the Year award is “a month-long nomination process where colleagues, students, parents, and community members…” can nominate teachers who they believe to be excellent educators. After teachers have been nominated, finalists are then picked. There is a process in which the finalists are picked following this process: “all nominations are provided to a committee of previous teachers who have been a recipient of this award. This committee uses the nominations and a scoring guide to score each nomination. The six highest scores become our finalists. The district also has a similar process for our other two awards, Cardinal Rising Star (teachers who have been teaching 5 or a few years) and Support Staff Employee of the Year.”
This years finalists include:
Jill Chapman, Math Teacher at Clinton Middle School. Miss. Chapman stated that she chose her career in education because “I always knew I wanted to work in an area of service and I enjoyed children. My mom was a top notch educator. After being a student in her classroom as well as seeing how she interacted and educated other students, I wanted to follow in her footsteps…” Miss. Chapman has a background in education consisting of “a middle school teacher in Golden City, MO. From there I moved to Warsaw and taught 3rd grade before moving to an administrative position in the district. After moving from Warsaw, I taught in Windsor for a couple of years and am now finishing up my fourth year as a middle school math teacher at CMS…” She “attended Missouri State University where I obtained my bachelor's degree in elementary education with an emphasis in middle school math. After a couple of years of teaching I began my masters in administration at Pittsburg State University and later completed my specialist degree through William Woods….” Miss. Chapman is unaware of who nominated her for this award but is incredibly grateful that someone thought of her and took the time out of their day to fill out the nomination form. “Any time I am recognized for my work and dedication to students, it is an honor. Making an impact in a student's life is the very reason I chose this profession, but to know I have made a large enough impact on a student, fellow teacher, or parent to warrant a nomination is humbling.” Jennifer Corson, the CMS principal had this to say about Jill Chapman’s nomination “Jill Chapman is considered to be a rockstar teacher. She builds strong, positive relationships with her students, families, and colleagues. She is extremely knowledgeable in her content area and is a leader in the CMS building. She is always bringing forth ideas to improve the culture, standard, and expectation within the Clinton School District. We are so thankful for Mrs Chapman's talents and for her to be a part of Clinton Middle School!”
Leslie Largent, Career Services Coordinator at Clinton Technical School. Mrs Largent has been in the career field of education for 29 years now and every single one of those years has been spent with the Clinton School District, it all began because “my family believes in the value of a strong public education system. There are many teachers in my family, and I always wanted to follow in their footsteps. Personally, I have always enjoyed interacting with high school students and working to help them find their path to success…. received both my bachelor's and master's from UCM. I began teaching at CHS in 1993, and I have been in Clinton ever since. I taught Social Studies and Journalism at CHS for 25 years. I advised the yearbook, newspaper, and student tv news staff. For the last four years, I have been the Career Services Coordinator at Clinton Technical School” Mrs Largent stated that although she does not know who nominated her “I am very honored to have been nominated. I work with amazing educators every day who all deserve recognition. This nomination was a pleasant surprise.” Christian Meier, the Director of CTS, commented that Mrs Largent is an exceptional educator who cares deeply about her students and her colleagues. She never wastes an opportunity to be a cheerleader for our students and is quick to lend an ear and a helping hand to any of our faculty and staff. Perhaps the best part about her, though, is her selfless humility. She never wants the limelight...she would prefer that light be focused on everyone else...and that is part of what makes her truly special…..Happy to help recognize Leslie...she's AWESOME!”
Lori Markham, 4th Grade Teacher at Clinton Intermediate School. Miss Markham is currently working on her 24th year of being in education, she has taught “4th grade at Leesville R-IX School from 1998-2000 and has been teaching 4th grade in Clinton School District since…” Miss Markham has “a B.S. in Elementary Education from CMSU (UCM today). I also have a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from William Woods University…” She chose education as her career because of “my love of children is what drew me to teaching. There aren't many professions where you have the opportunity to help shape young lives and that is my passion. There is such satisfaction in watching children learn and grow. Teaching is also a career where you grow with your students....as they learn, you learn too. There is truly no better feeling!” Miss Markham stated “It is an honor to be nominated as Teacher of the Year for Clinton School District. Miranda White, the principal of CIS said that “Lori Markham is a valued member of the Clinton Intermediate School team and has been serving the students and community for over 20 years. She has shared her talents with student teachers who leave our hallways better prepared to join the education field. Lori is kind, compassionate, patient and always up for a fun time or a challenge. She consistently delivers engaging lessons for her students and is a veteran member of her grade level team. CIS is lucky to have her!”
Christy Staashelm, Preschool Teacher at Clinton Early Childhood Center. Miss Staashelm attended “Northwest Missouri State University and received a Minor in Elementary Education , Early Childhood Education and Masters in Special Education…”. She has now been in education for 26 years, she began “teaching in Northwest Missouri districts and later relocated to Clinton, MO.” Miss Staashelm has been solid in this career path for as long as she could spell ‘teacher’ she shared that “after meeting my Kindergarten teacher I decided that was what I wanted to do. I never changed my mind.” She is unaware as to who nominated her but stated “It is always an amazing honor to get this nomination whether you win or lose. As a teacher you want to change at least one life in a positive way. The most rewarding thing is when you see a child have an "A-HA" moment in their learning. It is a blessing to witness that twinkle.”
Gina Johannsen, Physical Education Teacher at Henry Elementary/Clinton Intermediate School. Johannsen has been an educator for 34 years and has a “Bachelor's in Health and Physical Education and a Master's in Exercise and Sports Science”. “My first teaching job was on the island of Guam. I was a military spouse at the time and we moved every few years. I then went on to teach in Southern Georgia, Virginia, and Hawaii before settling in MO, where I have been now for 23 years.” When asked why she picked education as her career path she reported “I loved school and I was influenced by teachers I had growing up but I had an especially good PE teacher in 5th grade and decided that was what I wanted to do”. Johannsen has no idea who nominated her but is “honoured that someone took the time to do that. I always had mixed feelings on these awards because there are so many teachers that are good and don't get recognized. I have been lucky to teach with some really awesome educators. It takes more effort than people realize, especially in PE because most people think you just play a game or throw out some balls. But, I can't imagine anything else I would rather do and I enjoy giving the kids a variety of activities and making it a fun experience so they don't realize they are actually staying fit at the same time. Most of the time they are making my job so fun I don't realize I am working too!”
Crystal Roskop, Math Teacher at Clinton High School. Roskop has been a part of the Clinton School District for 9 years and spent a few of those years as a Math Teacher for Clinton Middle School as well. Roskop has no idea who nominated her.
A big congratulations to the Employer of the Year finalists from the Daily Democrat. A big thank you to all of the educators in the Clinton School District, each of you leave impressions on students every day and make an extreme difference. You are appreciated for all you do!
