Jessica Karll Is the 2012 Wentzville School District Teacher of the Year

Jessica Karll, a third grade teacher at , has been selected as the Teacher of the Year for 2012.

The District teacher of the year is selected by a panel of central office administrators and the reigning District Teacher of the Year. Ashley Barton of Peine Ridge Elementary School was named the 2011 district teacher of the year.

Candidates were judged on the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues. Selection is also based on their ability to inspire and educate students of all backgrounds and abilities.

“I feel very blessed to work in a District that’s so dedicated to kids,” said Karll. “It makes me proud to know that I’m doing what’s best for students each and every day. I have the resources and the great people behind me here, because I couldn’t do it alone.”

Karll has taught in the District for four years, and helped open Discovery Ridge.

She serves as the school’s Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) chair, and her classroom has been selected as a model for District professional development.

In 2011, Karll’s students and the Discovery Ridge third-grade team achieved MAP scores in both Math and Communication Arts that were among the top scores in St. Charles and St. Louis counties. She co-chairs the school's CharacterPlus character education efforts and serves on the District Communication Arts Committee.

“Jessica is one of those individuals who was born to be a teacher,” said Discovery Ridge Principal Laura Bates. “Her joy and infectious commitment to progress bring out the best in our students and staff.” 

As the winner of the District Teacher of the Year, Karll is now eligible to compete in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program, which is conducted annually by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in conjunction with the National Teacher of the Year program.

Each school in the District selected their candidate for teacher of the year. The building teachers of the year are:

• Constance Hallemeier, , math
• Matthew Smith, , social studies
• Shannon Griesenaur, , 6th grade science
• Beverly McMahon, , 7th grade communication arts/social studies
• Mark Clampitt, , 8th grade science
• Kelly Raney, , 5th grade
• Jill Williams, , the Learning Center
• Jessica Karll, , 3rd grade
• Malerie Roberts, , 3rd grade
• Stephanie Airoldi, , 3rd grade
• Amy Rose, Heritage Primary, computers
• Heidi Prouhet, Heritage Intermediate, 3rd grade
• Amy Prebianca, , 2nd grade
• Cindy Owens, Peine Ridge Elementary, 3rd grade
• Angela Donley, , 5th grade
• Shara Cooper,