25 Joplin Teachers Named Golden Eagle Award Winners

Twenty-five Joplin teachers have been named recipients of the Joplin School District’s Golden Eagle Award. Initiated for the first time this year, this annual building-level award honors teachers at each school within the Joplin School District. Golden Eagle Award winners received award notification letters this week and will be recognized at the district’s back-to-school kick-off event in August.

“Joplin is very fortunate to have so many teachers who exhibit excellence,” says Assistant Superintendent Angie Besendorfer, “and it is a joy to honor these twenty-five dedicated educators as our first Golden Eagle Award winners for the important efforts that they bring to Joplin students each day.”

This year’s Golden Eagle Award winners are as follows:

Ann Thompson – Kindergarten / Cecil Floyd Elementary
Erica Stagner – 4th Grade / Cecil Floyd Elementary
Kim McIntire – 3rd Grade / Columbia Elementary
Diana Gannaway – Early Literacy / Duenweg Elementary
Regina Jones – 1st Grade / Duquesne Elementary
Karen Secrist – 3rd Grade / Eastmorland Elementary
Erica White – Kindergarten / Emerson Elementary
Susan Moore – Kindergarten / Irving Elementary
Donna Waggoner – Reading / Jefferson Elementary
Karen Evans – Kindergarten / Kelsey Norman Elementary
Gretchen Caldwell – Reading / McKinley Elementary
Mary Sloan – 1st Grade / Royal Heights Elementary
Karen Robertson – 2nd Grade / Stapleton Elementary
Denise Legore – 5th Grade / West Central Elementary
Jan Crandon – Special Education / Memorial Middle School
Grace Kropp – Communication Arts / Memorial Middle School
Ruth Ingram – Special Education / North Middle School
Marsha Jensen – Mathematics / North Middle School
Randy Turner – Communication Arts / South Middle School
Jason Weaver – Social Studies / South Middle School
Karisa Boyer – Science / Joplin High School
Kristi McGowen – Business / Joplin High School
Staci Saunders – Special Education / Joplin High School
John Rutledge – Automotive Technology / Franklin Technology Center
LaTonya Ruth – Early Childhood / Washington Education Center

The number of Golden Eagle Award winners per building is based upon each school’s student population. Winners are selected by their colleagues and must meet criteria established by the district’s Teacher of the Year Committee, including completion of three years employment with the district. Golden Eagle Award winners will be among candidates considered for Joplin Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in May.

(posted 04/08/08)