Cape Chamber names three district teachers Educator of the Year

On May 5^th, the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce named three teachers from the Cape Girardeau Public School District Educators of the Year.

Shawn Brooks is a fourth-grade teacher at Alma Schrader Elementary, where he has taught for eight years.  Mr. Brooks began his teaching career in 2001 as a second-grade teacher at Hudson Elementary in Weld, CO.  When a student was asked what makes Mr. Brooks special, he replied, “Mr. Brooks taught me over half the stuff that got me through the fourth grade.  He taught us about respecting our elders and to try new things”.

Mr. Brooks participates in several different sports, and enjoys cooking, attending church activities and small group studies.  He and his wife Heather are raising a son, one-year-old Christopher. 

Yvonne Campbell is a Kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary.  She has been at Jefferson for 10 years, and has a total of 18 years in the teaching profession. 

She began her career in 1990 as a Kindergarten teacher at St. Francis Xavier School in Sikeston, MO.  Mark Cook, her Principal at Jefferson, said, “I admire Mrs. Campbell’s determination to make sure she is reaching each student at their level of learning.  She is constantly thinking of a variety of ways to present the information so all kids can absorb it and retain it well.”

Mrs. Campbell practices a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and preparing healthy foods.  She also enjoys reading and gardening.  She and her husband Derek are raising three girls. 

Susan Cook is the Guidance Counselor at Clippard Elementary School.  Mrs. Cook has been in her present position for three years and has more than 20 years in the education field.  Her principal, Dr. Sydney Herbst, said, “Sue enjoys life to the fullest and is a high-energy, self-starter who quickly assumes responsibility and who is not afraid to face new challenges and situations. Dedication, commitment, compassion, enthusiasm and integrity are characteristics ingrained in Mrs. Cook.” She began her career as a High School Home Ec. teacher in Wayne, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, in 1977. Mrs. Cook enjoys cross stitch and reading, and loves walking, cycling, tennis and travel. She has a goal of visiting all 50 states.  She and her husband, Jim, have two grown children:  Dr. Jennifer Peura, who is a cardiologist in Charleston, SC; and Mr. Jeffery Cook, who is a Washington DC lobbyist. 

The three educators were honored at a Chamber of Commerce banquet May 5 at the Drury Lodge, and by the Cape Girardeau School District Board of Education at a ceremony May 19, 2009.

Pictured above, left to right, are Cape Girardeau Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jim Welker and 2009 Educators of the Year Shawn Brooks, Yvonne Campbell and Sue Cook.  The photo was taken May 5, 2009 at the annual Cape Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year banquet.