The Republican Women’s Club of St. Louis, sponsor of the My Favorite Teacher Essay Contest, held an Awards Ceremony to honor the winning teachers and recognize the achievement of the essay authors (students). Held January 22, 2010, 8:00am in the Boardroom of Eureka City Hall, friends and family were on hand to honor the teachers and students along with Rep. Tim Jones; Eureka Mayor Ken Coffey; Eureka Alderman Marilyn Leistner; Arleen Jackson, Past President of RWC of StL; and Sharon Barnes, President of RWC of StL. Rep. Jones presented each teacher with a House Resolution, a Missouri Blue Book, a copy of the Missouri Constitution and a state flag that had flown over the state capitol. Eureka Mayor Coffey and Aldermen Marilyn Leistner honored the teachers with a City Proclamation.

"My Favorite Teacher" Award began during the 2001 National Federation/No Child Left Behind State Summit Program. The purpose of the award is to acknowledge those outstanding teachers across America who have encouraged students to dream big. The "My Favorite Teacher" Award recognizes excellence in teaching and the impact that one good teacher can have on every individual. Each of us can name a teacher who has made a difference in our lives. As Republicans, we are often positioned as the enemy of teachers because of the politics of the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers. The "My Favorite Teacher" Award gives us the opportunity to share good news about the positive impact a teacher can make.

K-4 Category
1st place: Mrs. Jennifer Phelps, 3rd grade teacher, Blevins Elementary Eureka
Essay written by: Adams Bailey, Blevins student
2nd place: Mrs. Jennifer Phelps, 3rd grade teacher at Blevins Elementary Eureka
Essay written by: Erin Bozdech, Blevins student
3rd place: Mrs. Sharon Shaw, retired K from Alma Shrader Elementary, Cape Girardeau, MO
Essay written by: Nicole Walker, Blevins Student
4th place: Mrs. Jayme Chen, Stories Creek Elementary, Roxboro, NC
Essay written: Justin Collins, Blevins Student
5-8 Category
1st place: Mrs. Cynthia Dial, 2nd grade teacher, Blevins Elementary, Eureka
Essay written by Tommy Lombardo, Blevins Student
2nd place: Mrs. Hubbard, 5th grade teacher, Blevins Elementary, Eureka
Essay written by: Drew Harris, Blevins Student
3rd place: Mrs. Jennifer Phelps, 3rd grade teacher, Blevins Elementary, Eureka
Essay written by: Chelsey Overstreet, Blevins Student
4th place: Ms. Debbie Albert, 5th grade – Gifted/Talented Program, Rockwood
Essay written by: Jacob Detering.

For more information, please contact, Eileen Tyrrell, Chairman emtyrrell@yahoo.com or 636-549-3259/ 217-918-0967