Spoede Elementary School math specialist Jennifer Gardner has been selected as one of Emerson’s 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award recipients.
Gardner was recognized for her commitment to student development and overall excellence in education.
“Education is ever-changing – school days turn into years, technology advances, teaching strategies evolve – yet the one constant is the happiness that students bring to this position,” Gardner said.
“I am so incredibly happy to be part of the Ladue School District and so very honored to be recognized with the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award.”
Gardner is now in her 14th year at Ladue Schools; she currently is a math specialist for grades K through 4, a position she has held for two years.
Prior to this, she spent 12 years as a 7th grade pre-algebra teacher and math interventionist at Ladue Middle School.
She was named Spoede Elementary’s Teacher of the Year during the 2019-20 school year.
“Jennifer exemplifies so much of what it means to be an excellent educator,” Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke said.
“She is a passionate leader for all students and her ability to connect with young learners is evident each day at Spoede Elementary.”
Honorees will be recognized in the Nov. 22, 2020 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards program, now in its 31st year, recognizes more than 100 educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area each year – from kindergarten teachers to college professors – who are examples of excellence in their field.