Nominations are now being accepted for the first Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Educators of the Year Awards. The awards will be presented annually by the chamber's Education Committee.

Designed to focus attention on excellence in education, the Educators of the Year Awards will honor one educator in each of the five categories: elementary, secondary, special services, vocational education, and administration.

Any full-time educator in a public, private, parochial or business school in the Cape Girardeau city limits may be a candidate. School personnel whose duties are primarily administrative or supervisors (principals, guidance counselors, librarians) are eligible under the administration category.

"Candidates should be skilled, dedicated educators who plan to continue in the education field," said Kim McDowell, chairman of the chamber's education committee. "Candidates should have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues. They should inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn. They should play active roles in their communities, providing service and leadership in civic, religious and humanitarian activities. Candidates should be poised and articulate."

Educators may be nominated in writing by any person, group, colleague, student, parent, et cetera in the community. Letters of nomination must be received in the chamber office by 5 p.m. Feb. 10.

Once an individual is nominated, he or she will be informed of their nomination and who nominated them by Feb. 15. Nominees will also receive an Educator of the Year application form. A nominee may choose to remove his or her name from nomination. Accepting the nomination and submitting the application, properly signed by their principal and superintendent, makes the nominee a candidate. Applications are due in the chamber office by 5 p.m. March 15.

A special committee appointed by the Education Committee will meet to review the candidates' written materials and choose the winners in each category.

The 1994 Award honorees will be announced April 1, 1994.

Honors for each educator will include cash awards of $250 each and a plaque of recognition presented at a dinner honoring the Educators of the Year on April 29.

For more information contact Kim McDowell, education chairman, at 335-6611.