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SPS Teacher of the Year Announced

SPS

This year’s Springfield Public Schools Teacher of the Year is Adrienne Deckard, science/biomedical teacher at Central High School.  The award was announced Monday during the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools' annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet.

Deckard, who's been with SPS since 2009, says she began her journey into teaching with one question in mind, "What are the things that didn't exist for me and how do I bridge that gap?"  She says that question and with her belief that you can’t teach a child until their physical needs are met led to her starting a biomedical program for her students. 

Deckard will go on to compete for Teacher of the Year at the regional level.  Regional winners will advance to the state competition.

The SPS Teacher of the Year selection committee identified five finalists from 57 nominations. The other four finalists recognized during the event were Loren Broaddus, social studies teacher at Kickapoo High School; Mary "Betsy" Cannella, Project Lead The Way teacher at Glendale High School; Genevieve Kroenke, fifth-grade teacher at Bowerman Elementary and Angela Odom, math teacher at Kickapoo High School.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.