Here's Looking at You, Maria Stobbe

teacher of the year Maria Stobbe was recognized at the Teacher of the Year banquet Wednesday evening in Jefferson City.

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The awards were presented by Peter F. Herschend, Branson, president of the State Board of Education; and Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro.

The Missouri Teacher of the Year, Kristen Merrell, from the Lee’s Summit School District, was honored and the five state finalists in this year’s program were recognized.

The five public school teachers chosen as state finalists who were also honored at the banquet include:

• Maria Stobbe, seventh-grade communication arts teacher, , Kirkwood School District
• Eric Cochran, social studies teacher, Lindbergh High School, Lindbergh Schools Jeni DeFeo, sixth-grade social studies teacher, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson City School District
• Gina Johnson, seventh-grade science teacher, Raymore-Peculiar East Middle School, Raymore-Peculiar School District
• Vicki Nelson, special education teacher, Litzsinger School, Special School District of St. Louis County