News

Thirteen SIUE alumni and the School of Pharmacy’s McKenzie Ferguson, PharmD, were among 109 St. Louis area educators who received high praise for their contributions and dedication to the teaching profession and were honored with 2017 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Ferguson is an associate professor of pharmacy practice and director of the Drug Information and Wellness Center in the School of Pharmacy.

SIUE alumni honorees included graduates of the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, College of Arts and Sciences, and Graduate School.

• Elizabeth Adams-Marks achieved a bachelor’s in fine arts and a master’s in secondary education in 2006 and 2010, respectively. Adams-Marks is a K-12 art instructor in the Mehlville School District.
• Angie Barnett earned a bachelor’s in elementary education in 1991. Barnett teaches second grade at Parkview Elementary School in Columbia.
• Shannah Burton completed a bachelor’s in art/art education in 2007. Burton is an art/spatial fifth grade specialist at New City School in St. Louis.
• Candace Caveny earned a bachelor’s in general science education in 1997. Caveny is an advanced placement physics teacher at O’Fallon Township High School.
• Jean Deitz achieved a bachelor’s in biological sciences/medical technology and a master’s in instructional technology in 1981 and 1998, respectively. Deitz is a medical laboratory technology professor at Southwestern Illinois College.
• Wendy Kassing completed a bachelor’s in special education in 2007. Kassing is a special education teacher at Shiloh Middle School.
• Sheila Laird achieved a bachelor’s in elementary education in 1991. Laird teaches second grade at Highland Primary School.
• Lyndsey Mehrtens earned a bachelor’s in elementary education in 2005. Mehrtens teaches third grade at William Holliday Elementary School.
• Carrie Metze earned a bachelor’s in business education and a master’s in instructional technology in 1985 and 2005, respectively. Metze is a business teacher at Triad High School.
• Spencer Saal completed a bachelor’s in biological sciences in 2010. Saal teaches art at Madison Senior High School.
• Jessica Sanchez achieved a bachelor’s in special education/learning disability in 2002. Sanchez is a special educator at Central Intermediate School in Roxana.
• Michelle Schaefer earned a bachelor’s in special education/learning disability and a master’s secondary education/reading in 1992 and 2004, respectively. Schaefer teaches third grade at Roosevelt Elementary School in Belleville.
• Linda Tessereau completed a bachelor’s in music/music education in 1998. Tessereau teaches music at Wolf Branch Middle School.

Recipients were selected by their school’s administration and were presented their awards in November. They now have the opportunity to apply for a Gold Star Grant from Emerson, to be presented in spring 2018.

Details on the area educators’ recognition are posted in The Telegraph and the Belleville News-Democrat.

Photo: McKenzie Ferguson, PharmD, associate professor of pharmacy practice and director of the Drug Information and Wellness Center in the SIUE School of Pharmacy.