• SLPS honors Kindergarten Teacher of the Year
    KG TOY
    Nicole L. Conaway, principal of Mann Elementary School, and Kimberly Davis, recipient of the 2013 Gertrude Faust Potthoff St. Louis Public Schools Kindergarten Teacher of the Year Award
     

    Posted: Thursday, January 2, 2014 12:05 am

    By American staff | 0 comments

    St. Louis Public Schools has presented the 2013 Gertrude Faust Potthoff Kindergarten Teacher of the Year Award to an experienced educator who encourages her students to explore, try new things and learn from their mistakes.

    To earn the Kindergarten Teacher of the Year Award, nominees must explain their teaching philosophy and approach to teaching; be recommended by an administrator and a professional colleague; and complete an interview process.

    Kimberly Davis, a teacher at Mann Elementary School, has been recognized as the St. Louis Public School District’s 2013 Kindergarten Teacher of the Year for her approach to teaching, in which she focuses on the whole child – from life skills and academics to addressing basic needs like warm clothing and adequate food, which can keep a child from being able to focus in the classroom.

    “Ms. Davis works hard to ensure the needs of her children are met on both an academic and personal level by pursuing relationships with parents and finding out more about each child,” says Nicole L. Conaway, principal at Mann Elementary School.

    “She consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, by waiting at school to ensure all children are picked up, and even driving to meet a child at his bus when he accidentally got on the wrong one.”

    Davis has been teaching since 2004. She started her career with St. Louis Public Schools, moved out of state, and rejoined SLPS in 2011. During this school year, she has taken on added responsibilities, serving as the coordinator for Mann’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and as the school’s induction coordinator – a point of contact within each school to assist new teachers.

    The 2013 Gertrude Faust Potthoff St. Louis Public Schools Kindergarten Teacher of the Year was honored with an awards reception and presented with a $1,000 award from the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation. In addition, she received a trophy, a plaque and a $500 award for related education materials through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

    Willis J. Potthoff, in collaboration with friends and family, created this special award in honor of his wife, Trudy. Trudy Potthoff played a significant role in the restoration of the Susan E. Blow Kindergarten Museum, the site of the first continuous public school kindergarten in the United States. It was founded in 1873 by Miss Susan E. Blow as part of the St. Louis Public School District.