Teacher of the Year Nominations

Excellence in Teaching/Teacher of the Year Nominees

When you hear the phrase "outstanding teacher," who comes to mind? Consider nominating that  individual for the Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Teaching/R-7 Teacher of the Year Award. You may nominate your favorite Lee's Summit R-7 teacher, library media specialist or guidance counselor (or other full-time, teacher-certificated position such as instructional technology specialist, curriculum specialist or tier one specialist) by filling out this form.  

The Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce and R-7 School District collaborate to recognize educational excellence. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors 12 annual Excellence In Teaching Award Recipients, and the R-7 School District sponsors the Teacher of the Year program.  

Note: Nominees must have worked as a teacher for five years or more in the R-7 School District.  

About the Excellence in Teaching/Teacher of the Year Program:

This program is designed to focus on the role of the teacher and the overall dedication to service and excellence in the profession. Twelve individuals will be recognized by the Chamber of  Commerce with the Excellence In Teaching Award, and those among the 12 who are full-time  classroom teachers will also be finalists in the R-7 Teacher of the Year program. The Teacher of  the Year is recognized as a representative of all outstanding teachers in the district. Our Teacher of the Year will compete in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in conjunction with the National Teacher of  the Year program.  

All R-7 certified teachers, guidance counselors, library media specialists, instructional  technology specialists, curriculum specialists and tier one specialists are eligible for the  program after they have worked for five years with the Lee's Summit R-7 School District.  Administrators or other supervisory personnel are NOT eligible. (Part-time teachers are eligible  only for the Excellence In Teaching Award. If you know a terrific part-time teacher, please do  nominate them for the Excellence In Teaching Award!) Former Excellence In Teaching award winners who are nominated again are eligible to submit an application to be considered for the Teacher of Distinction award. Up to three Teachers of Distinction may be  selected, and those recipients will also interview for Teacher of the Year.  

Nominees should be career educators who, by their skill and dedication, have earned the admiration and respect of students, parents and colleagues.  

Selection Process:

A committee composed of staff, administrators and representatives from the Chamber and community will review the nomination forms, along with resume information provided by the  nominees. They will select 12 Excellence In Teaching recipients. The Excellence In Teaching  recipients will be recognized at a reception in the spring hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the R-7 School District. The Teacher of the Year finalists will also meet with the committee for a  personal interview prior to naming the R-7 Teacher of the Year.