Inspired

12 South County Times October 8 - 14, 2010

Becker, Teacher Of Year

from page 8
“I will never forget that first foray
to the other side of the teacher’s desk,”
Becker said. “I entered Mr. Harmon’s
classroom that fateful day in April
1981. Two hours later, I left his class-
room knowing what I wanted to do
with the rest of my life!” insights on interior design from local design professionals

A Master Teacher
Becker has turned into what KHS
Principal David Holley called a “mas-
ter teacher.”
“He is smart, creative, and thought-
ful in the way he plans lessons and
the lessons that he teaches engage
kids in learning that really makes
sense to their lives,” Holley said. “He
is a teacher who teaches to make sure
kids learn. That’s true of all the great
teachers. He approaches teaching in a
u
tilize the great options available and upgrades.
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Bob Becker has been teaching chemis-
try for 26 years, 20 of those at Kirk-
wood High School.

way to incorporate all kinds of learn-
ing styles.”
Becker has his own definition of a
good teacher.
“A good teacher has to have passion
for the subject they’re teaching. If you
don’t find it interesting, you’re not go-
ing to be able to make students find it
interesting,” Becker said. “But it goes
beyond that passion.
“You also have to care about the
photo by Diana Linsley
more photos at timesnewspapers.com
to 15 planned over the next several
weeks, including the autism walk at
Forest Park and a Nurses for New-
borns project in Shrewsbury,” he said.
Chemistry Club students host a
booth at the Kirkwood Greentree Fes-
tival where they sell tie-dyed shirts
and infant clothing they make. It
t
o keep your hardwood floors in their very best
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children in the schools. That’s what
it’s all about – helping them to become
good decision makers and contribut-
ing members of society.
“And from a chemistry point of view,
you want them to know enough of the
chemistry so when they hear about a
nuclear power plant being built, they
know they need to gather enough info
to make a wise decision on that,” he
said.
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“He is one of the people in our school
who is a leader in service learning,”
said Principal Holley. “Many kids do
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munity because of Bob.”
Becker and his family live in Sun-
set Hills. His wife Kathy teaches fifth

As far as being a good teacher,
Becker said “I’m getting there.”
“I definitely don’t see myself as
worthy of this recognition I’m receiv-
ing. When I think about the really
excellent teachers at this school and
district, to be singled out seems pretty
unfair,” Becker said.
After 26 years of teaching, Becker
has managed to hold onto his passion
for teaching.
“It’s the students,” Becker said.
“These are all new students. They
haven’t been exposed to these labs and
these demos.
“They’re so inquisitive and they all
want to succeed,” he said.
Beyond The Classroom
To Becker, his job goes beyond the
classroom.
“I consider community service to
be one of the most important parts of
my teaching job,” Becker said. He is
co-sponsor of the Kirkwood Youth Ser-
vice Club and sponsor of the Chemis-
PLACEMATS
grade at Forsyth School. The couple
has three daughters: Jenna gradu-
ated from KHS in 2000; Amariah in
2007 and Elizah, a seventh grader at
The College School in Webster Groves, WITH ANY CUSTOM ORDER*
plans to attend KHS and be part of
the class of 2016.
More Accolades
In addition to the state honor, Beck-
er has been recognized nationally with
the James Conant Bryant Award for
Excellence in Chemistry Teaching and
the Tandy Technology Scholar Award.
Locally, accolades include the Ameri-
can Chemistry Society’s Midwest Re- Call, click or come by to schedule your
complimentary in-home consultation.
gional Award and the Saint Louis Sec-
tional Award. CALL CLICK
314-569-2980 www.sunshinedrapery.com
In addition to the many articles he
VISIT
has published, Becker has also pre- 34 THF Blvd 10757A Sunset Hills Plaza
sented workshops to chemistry teach- Chesterfield, MO 63005 St. Louis, MO 63127
ers throughout the world. In March 636.812.0155 314.909.1244
2010, he traveled Kuwait City, Kuwait *See decorator for details
and in 2004 and 1994, he made pre-
sentations to the Irish Science Teach-
er Association in Dundalk, Ireland.
New

Fall
try Club. He has also led numerous workshops
“We’ve already had about 10 proj- throughout the United States.
ects this year and have another 10

Deadline Nears For Trip To

See Paducah’s Quilt Museum
Sappington House
Foundation is sponsor
of Oct. 21 bus trip
Oct. 11 is the deadline for reserva-
tions for quilters or would-be quilters
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Ky.
The Sappington House Foundation
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on Oct. 21. The cost of the trip is $45.
Styles
We have many
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9118 Glencrest Drive, Crestwood, Mo.
63126. For more information, call Pat 8816 Gravois Road • (314) 544-7464
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 October 8 - 14, 2010
Inspired D e s i g n
South County Times 13

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