Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award
The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards Program, sponsored by Emerson, annually recognizes more than 100 teachers – from kindergarten to college professors – who are examples of excellence in the field of education in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Recipients are selected by the chief administrators of their school districts or educational institutions. The employing educational institution must be located in the St. Louis metropolitan area, which is defined to include: (in Missouri) Franklin County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, St. Louis City, St. Louis County; and (in Illinois) Jersey County, Madison County, Monroe County, and St. Clair County. The Ritenour Emerson Award is awarded to the Diamond Circle first runner up from the previous school year. Danielle Swallow, a math teacher at Ritenour High School, received the 2022 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award.
Emerson Gold Star Grant Program
Current and recent Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipients who teach grades K–12 have the opportunity to apply for an Emerson Gold Star Grant. Emerson Gold Star Grants are presented in two categories:
Individual Category (grades K through 12). At least two $2,500 cash grant awards to selected individual teachers, plus a $2,500 grant for each winner’s employing school.
Teamwork Category (grades K through 12). At least one $10,000 cash grant award to a teaching team (two or more teachers, one of which must be an eligible Gold Star Award applicant), plus a $5,000 grant for each winning team’s employing school. Learn more.
Emerson Excellence Past Honorees
| 2000 | Sue Deines | Buder Elementary |
| 2001 | Wayne Rathjen | Ritenour High School |
| 2002 | Catherine Richard | Kratz Elementary |
| 2003 | Beth Suhayda | Iveland Elementary |
| 2004 | Yolanda Anderson-Woodard | Iveland Elementary |
| 2005 | Diane Dowdy | Wyland Elementary |
| 2006 | Laura Franzen | Iveland Elementary |
| 2007 | Lisa Hogbin | Marvin Elementary |
| 2008 | Lisa Williams | Ritenour High School |
| 2009 | Rebecca Winkler-Leb | Marvin Elementary |
| 2010 | Jeanna McDermott | Marvin Elementary |
| 2011 | Holly Kopp | Ritenour Middle |
| 2012 | Jennifer Carcagno | Buder Elementary |
| 2013 | Stacey Carman | Buder Elementary |
| 2014 | Stacey Wilson | Wyland Elementary |
| 2015 | Mandy Harvell | Ritenour Middle |
| 2016 | Crystal Sullivan | Ritenour Middle |
| 2017 | Joe Auteberry | Hoech Middle School |
| 2018 | Chris LeGrand | Hoech Middle School |
| 2019 | Collette Love Hilliard | Ritenour High School |
| 2020 | Alexis Jamerison | Marion Elementary School |
| 2021 | Matthew Macko | Ritenour Middle School |
| 2022 | Danielle Swallow | Ritenour High School |
| 2023 | Nicole Eberenz | Buder Elementary School |
| 2024 | Meggan Bruner | Marion Elementary School |