Bob Becker, Kirkwood High School (KHS) chemistry teacher, is a recipient of the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for public school educators.
The Missouri Education Association, National Education Association’s (NEA) state affiliate in Missouri, nominated Becker. Each awardee’s school will receive a $650 award. Becker was presented with the check at a surprise check presentation on Monday in front of the KHS faculty. The faculty gave Becker a standing ovation when Dr. Mike Havener, KHS principal, announced Becker’s award. Havener announced the award would go to the science department.
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From the 38 state awardees, five finalists will be selected to receive $10,000 cash awards. At the conclusion of the Washington, DC gala, one finalist will be named the nation’s top educator and receive an additional $25,000.
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The 38 awardees will be honored at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala to be held in Washington, DC on February 8, 2013. Known as the Academy Awards of public education, the gala attracts more than 850 of the nation’s leaders from public education, philanthropy, and the private sector.
“We give these awards annually to honor and promote excellence in education and to elevate the profession. Educators like these are critical to their students’ academic success, and they deserve national recognition,” said Harriet Sanford, president and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “We are thrilled that California Casualty has joined us again this year to pay tribute to educators who are making such a difference in the lives of students in classrooms across the country.
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Photo release (photo credit-Halsey Uerling-KHS junior): Pictured from left to right: Katie Dunn, Field Marketing Manager-California Casualty; Chris Guinther, president-Missouri NEA; Rebecca Stumpf, Senior Field Representative-California Casualty; Bob Becker, KHS science teacher and recipient of the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence; Sharon Taysi, KHS science teacher and KHS NEA Representative and Mike Havener, principal Kirkwood High School.
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