5 Jackson teachers recognized for excellence at banquet

It was a time to recognize teacher excellence Thursday evening during the 2013 Educator Appreciation Banquet in Jackson.

The banquet, held at the Knights of Columbus Hall and sponsored by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, saw Cindy Rodgers, Steve Wachter, Casey Brennan, Paul Fliege and Renee Deken be named as the 2013 Educators of the Year.

"I love this event because we get to recognize the educators of our future leaders," said Brian Gerau, executive director of the chamber of commerce. "The teachers we're honoring tonight are fantastic."

The chamber sent nomination forms for Educator of the Year to each of the Jackson schools, Gerau said. The chamber's nomination committee picked out the best candidates based on merit and the opinions of other teachers.

"It wasn't a popularity contest," Gerau said.

Rodgers teaches at West Lane Elementary School. She taught first grade for 20 years and has been the Title 1 reading teacher for the last four years.

"I found that education was something in my heart and that I could make a difference by being a teacher," Rodgers said. "I'm honored to have been recommended for the award."

Wachter will retire after 31 years of teaching. He teaches American history and fitness education at Jackson Junior High School, and also has been the high school wrestling coach.

"My favorite thing about teaching is that I enjoy going to work every day," Wachter said. "Not everyone can say that, but I can."

Brennan has been the biology teacher at Jackson High School for the last six years.

"One of the challenges of teaching includes the hours spent outside of the classroom," Brennan said. "But the key to being an effective teacher is to be true to yourself and your students."

Fliege won Educator of the Year in the specialty category. He is the band teacher at Jackson High School, Junior High School and Middle School, and he also is a track coach for the junior high school.

"It's a struggle to make all kids get the lesson," Fliege said. "But we have to reach out to all kids to make sure that they do."

Deken teaches sixth grade math at the Immaculate Conception School in Jackson. The winner of the award in the private-school category, Deken said her favorite part of being a teacher is seeing students become excited about math.

"It's hard to be creative in simplifying radical expressions," she said. "But the key is to not give up."

All five teachers received a gift bag containing $500 worth of prizes and a $100 check from the Jackson R-2 School Foundation. They were featured in a tribute video during the banquet.

klewis@semissourian.com

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