Springfield Public Schools
April 23, 2007
Springfield, MO.— Sequiota Elementary School fifth grade teacher Jeannie Ratcliff was named Springfield Public Schools' "Teacher of the Year" for 2007. The announcement was made during the annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet on Monday, April 23, at University Plaza Convention Center.
The banquet is hosted by the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.
Jeannie has taught fourth and fifth grades at York and Sequiota elementary schools since 2002. She is known as an educator whose spirit and passion for teaching is contagious. She loves meeting her students' parents and as "Teacher of the Year," she looks forward to advocating for her profession in the larger community.
"To receive this honor is just a dream come true," Jeannie said after the announcement. "The kids make teaching fun. This is for them."
District superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder congratulated Jeannie for the recognition, noting she represents "the power of teaching."
Jeannie is now a candidate for the 2007-08 "Missouri Teacher of the Year." That program is conducted annually by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The other four finalists were:
With funding from Missouri State University, Jeannie will receive $2,000; her school will receive another $2,000. For the first time, the other four finalists will receive $250 and another $250 for their school. Those awards were made possible by St. John's.
For more information call district Public Information Officer Robert Keyes at 523-0050.