The award is for educators in Joplin public and private schools who display excellence in their profession. They are nominated by students, parents, and peers.
A total of 73 nominees were announced on Feb. 26 by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, the Empire District Electric Company, and Missouri Southern State University. They will be honored at a reception at 6 p.m. March 4 at the Holiday Inn Hotel Ballroom.
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Kolette Bartley, Kelsey Norman Elementary
Monica Bay, Jefferson Elementary
Chelsie Brooks, Royal Heights Elementary
Laura Campbell, Eastmorland Elementary
Kyleigh Garrett, Eastmorland Elementary
Angela Graves, Columbia Elementary
Stacie Hayes, Eastmorland Elementary
Jessica Hilton, Soaring Heights Elementary
Wendee Hughes, McKinley Elementary
Amy Jones, Eastmorland Elementary
Chelsea Marshall, Royal Heights Elementary
Susan Moore, Irving Elementary
Stephanie Reither, Cecil Floyd Elementary
Stacie Saunders, Stapleton Elementary
Heather Shull, Jefferson Elementary
Mary Sloan, Royal Heights Elementary
Billie Stanley, Royal Heights Elementary
Karla Theilen, Cecil Floyd Elementary
Elaina Watkins, Stapleton Elementary
Kim Wood, Jefferson Elementary
3rd - 5th Grade
Aimee Allen, Kelsey Norman Elementary
Lanette Ball, Jefferson Elementary
Wes Brownfield, Stapleton Elementary
Matt Crane, Royal Heights Elementary
Sherry Crumbliss, Soaring Heights Elementary
Ginger Gibson, Royal Heights Elementary
Kimberly Grigery, Jefferson Elementary
Tim Gubera, Eastmorland Elementary
Dianne Hermann, Jefferson Elementary
Sara Jackson, Royal Heights Elementary
Laura John, Jefferson Elementary
Carrie Knight, Royal Heights Elementary
Cherie Kuklentz, Royal Heights Elementary
Stacey Kunce, Jefferson Elementary
Katie Land, Stapleton Elementary
Katie Moore, Royal Heights Elementary
Emily Mullins, Royal Heights Elementary
Kelsie Nguyen, Eastmorland Elementary
Kelly Painter, McKinley Elementary
Karen Robertson, Stapleton Elementary
Stacie Short, Jefferson Elementary
Sally Spiekermann, Eastmorland Elementary
Megan Wallace, Jefferson Elementary
Kristina Warden, Stapleton Elementary
Katherine Woods, Royal Heights Elementary
Ashley Wright, McKinley Elementary
6th - 8th Grade
Karen Cameron, South Middle School
Jason Cryer, North Middle School
Chad Ruddick, North Middle School
Rory Stadt, South Middle School
George Cowin, Joplin High School
Jeff Hafer, Joplin High School
Kelly Pyle, Joplin High School
Kathleen Reiboldt, Joplin High School
Kevin Sawyer, Joplin High School
Bethany Shultz, Joplin High School
Amanda Smith, Joplin High School
Brandon Taute, Joplin High School