Teacher of the Year & Outstanding Educator

Past Recognitions

 Since 2002, the Foundation has partnered with individuals who have sponsored and supported the Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Educator programs. Below, you can read more about the history of these programs and those who have received these honors. 

Teacher of the Year & Outstanding Educator Awards

2002-2011: MRS. BILLIE RAILTON & THE JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

In 2002, Mrs. Billie Railton sponsored the Teacher of the Year Program and Outstanding Educator Awards through the JCPS Foundation for ten years. Jefferson City Public Schools are fortunate to have many, many outstanding nominations, and it is a difficult task to choose the winners.  Listed first is the Teacher of the Year, and listed second is the Outstanding Educator.

2002:  Steve Eubanks (JCHS) and Pat Lawrence (West)

2003:  Christie Kitrell (Belair) and May Ellen Laden (JCHS)

2004:  Linda Eisinger (West) and Laramie Thompson (Simonsen)

2005:  Ellen Schmidt (Belair) and Anne Hutton (JCHS)

2006:  Linda Heckman (JCHS) and Monica Bounds (West)

2007:  Sue Haugen (LCMS) and David Hendrickson (East)

2008:  Mary Thorne (North) and Charlotte Dudenhoeffer (LCMS)

2009:  Peg Vietti (TJMS) and Rhonda Allen (Gordon)

2010:  Don Gauzy (LCMS) and Kim Silvey (North)

2011:  Jenni DeFeo (TJMS) and Ruthie Caplinger (EER- Gifted Education)

2012: JAY PRIDE ALIVE (THE JEFFERSON CITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION) 

The Jefferson City Alumni Association, now called Jay Pride Alive, gave the Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Educator awards in 2012.

2012: David Ganey (JCHS) and Jennifer Penserum (Southwest Early Childhood)

2013-2015: JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

In 2013 through 2015, the Jefferson City Public Schools Foundation sponsored the Teacher of the Year Awards and Outstanding Educator Awards.

2013:  Aaron Gillam (JCHS) and Melanie Thompson (Gordon)

2014:  Beth Dampf (JCHS) and Jennifer Turpin (West)

2015:  Jeff Luttrell (LCMS) and Lisa Maloney (West)

2016-Current: EISINGER AWARDS GIVEN BY DON & LINDA EISINGER

Don and Linda Eisinger established the Eisinger Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Educator Awards in 2016.  Linda was Teacher of the Year in 2004 and Missouri Teacher of the Year in 2005. The Awards began in 2016 and will be given for 15 years.  The first name is the Teacher of the Year, and the second is the Outstanding Educator.

2016:  Nikki Carol (Pioneer Trail) and Linda Tobar (LCMS)

2017:  Rhonda Allen (Gordon) and Rhiannon McKee (JCHS)

2018:  Jana Forck (JCHS) and Jessica Long (Cedar Hill)

2019: Regina Roe (JCHS) and Jennifer Uptergrove (Lawson)

2020: Jacob Baker (TJMS) and Megan McReynolds (CCHS)

2021: Adrianna Sanders (JCHS) and Alex Miriani (CCHS)

2022: Todd Beaulieu (CCHS) and Amy Backes (North)

2023: Amber Moore (NCC) and Lindsey Kingsolver (LCMS)

2024: Kelsey Hile (TJMS) and Amanda Schrieber (Lawson)