November 2011- St. Louis Public School District has named Ms. Monica Freese as the 2011 High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year and Ms. Marie Thompson as the Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Monica Freese

Ms. Monica Freese, an educator at Griscom School, has been chosen as the St. Louis Public School District’s High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year. An educator with the District since 1993, Ms. Freese has excelled teaching “at-risk” populations by crafting lesson plans developed specifically for non-traditional learners.

Ms. Freese was recommended by Mr. James, Harris, Principal at Griscom School, who stated, “Being an educator in an alternative environment brings with it a unique set of challenges. Educators in this environment must be able and willing to continuously alter and modify their plans to meet the needs of an ever changing student population. For this reason teachers must have a wide range of teaching techniques and tools at the ready. Ms. Freese meets these challenges exceptionally each day.”

Ms. Marie Thompson

Ms. Marie Thompson, an educator at L’Ouverture Middle School since 2009, has been chosen as the St. Louis Public School District’s Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year. An educator with the District for more than 10 years, Ms. Thompson’s teaching philosophy is based on the concept of “ownership.” As a teacher, she prepares herself with the professional knowledge needed in order to facilitate quality lessons for her students. Students must also show ownership in their learning by being held accountable for the content they learn.

Ms. Thompson was nominated by Mrs. Carol Battle-Barnes, a retired principal, who stated, “Ms. Marie Thompson possess a high level of personal accountability and is committed to providing students with quality instruction and learning opportunities. She uses effective classroom management practices embedded in strategies that build respect and cooperation. She has always provided innovative materials and project for authentic assessment of her instructional program.”

As the Social Studies Teachers of the Year, Ms. Freese and Ms. Thompson have each received a $1,000 check through the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation. They will also each receive two plaques, and a $500 certificate for professional development from the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

For more information, or to identify an extraordinary member of the SLPS team, please contact the Office of Public Information (314) 345-2367.