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Kirkwood School District Teacher of the Year Robert Becker is Named Missouri Teacher of the Year
September 01, 2010
Students at Kirkwood High School made a special video announcement to the school this morning: Robert Becker, Kirkwood High School chemistry teacher and Kirkwood School District Teacher of the Year for 2010-11, has been named Missouri Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Local television stations KSDK Channel 5, and Fox 2 News 2 were at the school to film the big announcement.
Becker, who teaches traditional, honors and Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry, has taught in the Kirkwood district for 20 of his 26 years in education. He holds a master’s degree in education from Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Yale University.
His work with students extends beyond the classroom walls and includes his serving as sponsor the Chemistry Club, which he founded in 2001, and sponsor of the Kirkwood Youth Service Club (KYS). As the high school’s service learning organization, KYS supports projects throughout the school and community including blood drives, canned food drives, electronics recycling drives, Habitat for Humanity, Lydia’s House, and other charitable organizations. Each fall Becker and the Chemistry Club students host a booth at the Kirkwood Greentree Festival where they sell the hundreds of tie-dyed shirts and infant clothing they make. The funds raised from their successful booth are donated to worthy causes as determined each year by the club members.
Becker has also served as a mentor for 12 student teachers over the past 16 years, including one who is working with him this school year.
As an educator, Becker has been recognized nationally with the James Conant Bryant Award for Excellence in Chemistry Teaching and the Tandy Technology Scholar Award. Locally, he has earned the American Chemistry Society’s Midwest Regional Award and the Saint Louis Sectional Award. The Chemical Manufacturing Association presented him the Regional Catalyst Award.
In addition to the many articles he has published in print and electronically, Becker has also presented workshops to chemistry teachers throughout the world. In March 2010, he was a presenter at the Kuwaiti Chemical Society’s Symposium for High School Chemistry Teachers in Kuwait City, Kuwait. In 2004 and 1994, he presented to the Irish Science Teacher Association in Dundalk, Ireland. He has led workshops throughout the United States including presentations for the National Science Teachers Association Convention and the Flinn Scientific Summer Workshop Team.
Becker and the five other state finalists were interviewed Aug. 30 in Jefferson City by a selection committee appointed by DESE. The State Board of Education will formally honor Becker and the five finalists during a banquet in Jefferson City on Nov. 15.
As Missouri’s Teacher of the Year, Becker becomes a candidate for National Teacher of the Year in the program. The 2011 National Teacher of the Year will be named early next year.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education conducts the Missouri Teacher of the Year program with financial support provided by The Boeing Company, St Louis. More news about Becker and his selection is available on the DESE website.
