Cape chamber honors five as Educators of the Year

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce honored five people as Educators of the Year for 2016.

This year’s winners are:

• Pat Kuper of Cape Girardeau Central High School
• Charles Lindberg of Blanchard Elementary School
• Carol Strattman of St. Mary Cathedral School
• Jeff Worley of Notre Dame Regional High School
• Rhonda Weller-Stilson, director of the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts at Southeast Missouri State University

Shad Burner, vice president of business development, said each person was nominated and vetted by a five-member committee of chamber volunteers. A call for nominations was issued in April, and judging occurred in July.

Selection criteria included professional development efforts, educational attainment, teaching effectiveness and community involvement, according to chamber information.

“The purpose behind the award is to honor educators, because we know the students are our future workforce,” Burner said. “We know what (teachers) do every day is critical.”

The five were honored at a reception Tuesday night at the Show Me Center. Each received a Crystal Apple award, a $500 check, resolutions of honor from the Missouri Legislature and a commemorative video.

This is the 23rd year the chamber has recognized outstanding local educators.

“It’s a completely community-driven process, and we facilitate,” Burner said.