MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Meredith Pierce

May 14, 2018 314-608-1593

Saint Louis Public Schools Celebrates Educators of the Year

17 teachers and administrators received the high honor at a special event May 9.

ST. LOUIS, MO. May 14, 2018 – Saint Louis Public Schools presented its 2017-2018 Educator of
the Year awards last week to 17 dedicated, inspirational educators and school leaders. To earn
an Educator of the Year award, nominees must demonstrate excellence in the classroom or in a
leadership capacity. Nominees are observed at their schools by a panel that includes former
educators, community leaders and field-specific experts.

The 2017-2018 honorees are:

ALBERT SANDERS
ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Adelaide M. Schlafly Early Childhood Educator of the Year

ERICA YOWELL
KENNARD CLASSICAL JUNIOR ACADEMY
Gertrude Faust Potthoff Kindergarten Educator of the Year

CHEVELLE STEWART
HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Elementary Math Educator of the Year

TRACI MILLER
OAK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dolores B. Malcolm/Follett School Solutions Elementary Reading Educator of the Year

DEBORAH MERTENS
MULLANPHY INVESTIGATIVE LEARNING CENTER
Elementary STEM Educator of the Year

JOSEPH WEIS
NAHED CHAPMAN NEW AMERICAN ACADEMY
Missouri Foundation for Health Health, Wellness and PE Educator of the Year
RHEA WILLIS
SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL
Dorothy R. Moog Special Education Educator of the Year

FLORENCE FIELDS
SIGEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Follett School Solutions Specialty Area Educator of the Year

KELLY WALSH
PIERRE LACLEDE JUNIOR CAREER ACADEMY
Dorothy Lustgarten Riekes Visual & Performing Arts Educator of the Year

RACHAEL FENNER
VASHON HIGH SCHOOL
Dr. Gerald L. Early Secondary English Language Arts Educator of the Year

JACOB NORMAN
MALLINCKRODT ACADEMY OF GIFTED INSTRUCTION
Thomas M. Stenger, Sr. and Mary Ann Stenger Humanities Educator of the Year

MICHELLE DAVIDSON
CENTRAL VPA HIGH SCHOOL
Secondary Math Educator of the Year

CARA CICCARELLI
GATEWAY STEM HIGH SCHOOL
Saint Louis Science Center Secondary Science Educator of the Year

DESIREE SPEED
GATEWAY STEM HIGH SCHOOL
College and Career Readiness Educator of the Year

STARLETT FRENCHIE
HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Wells Fargo Elementary Leader of the Year

KACY SEALS
CENTRAL VPA HIGH SCHOOL
Enterprise Holdings Secondary Leader of the Year

NATHANIEL LISCHWE
CLYDE C. MILLER CAREER ACADEMY
Ameren Supporting School Leader of the Year
The 2017-2018 SLPS Educators of the Year were honored at an awards reception with family
and colleagues at Palladium St. Louis on May 9. Director of Professional Development Dr.
LaTisha Smith served as Master of Ceremonies. SLPS Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams, Director
of Talent Strategy & Management Haliday Douglas and Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund
Administrative Director Dr. Alice Roach also served as program speakers.

Each winner received a trophy, a plaque for his or her school and a $1,000 award provided by
donors to the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation. Honorees also received a $500 award
through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

All subject-area SLPS Educators of the Year will now be considered for the District’s overall
Educator of the Year award, which is determined by the SLPS Talent Strategy & Management
Office. The winner will advance to represent SLPS in the Missouri Teacher of the Year contest.

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