CAPE GIRARDEAU — Several area local teachers were selected as 2020 McDonald’s Teach it Forward Outstanding Educators from a pool of more than 880 nominations.
Sikeston’s Brent Trankler, was one of the honorees as was Kelly Elementary teacher Saundra Hasenkamp. The Dexter School District had two honorees: Rilee Jones, a teacher at Dexter High School and Felicia Powers, a teacher at Southwest Elementary.
The award honors educators who exhibit the ultimate dedication to their students and contribute to the improvement of education in our most challenging times. Local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Shannon Davis says supporting teachers is always a top priority, but this year is more important than ever.
“Our teachers are constantly adapting to whatever is thrown at them, while making sure our students succeed,” said Davis. “We’re excited to recognize those who go above and beyond for our students through the Outstanding Educator awards.”
Davis partnered with another local McDonald’s operator, Chrissy Hurst, to honor the following area educators: Kori Demyan, Advance R-IV Elementary; Marcia Eggimann, Advance R-IV Junior High; Brooke Baugher, Cape Central High School; Bernadette Gorman, Cape Central Middle School; Kelli Hastings, Doniphan R-1; Erica Cooper, West Lane Elementary in Jackson; Dana Hogard, Perryville High School; Amy Ethridge, O’Neal Elementary in Poplar Bluff and Amber Dawn Beecher, Van Buren R-1 Elementary.
Winners of the outstanding educator award each receive a $100 Visa gift card to use toward their classroom; a T-shirt; and certificates and McDonald’s coupons to “teach it forward” to parents with outstanding students throughout the year.
Hurst said, “We love the idea of paying it forward—or “teaching” it forward—to recognize students who are also working so hard to keep up with the ever changing landscape of education today.”