Peabody/Logos Leaders in Education Honors Awarded to Five Innovative St. Louis Educators

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Five exceptional area educators have been named Peabody/Logos Leaders in Education award winners:

• Central School, O'Fallon, Ill.: Special Education Teacher Michelle Elliott, recognized for her ability to connect with students with social and emotional disabilities and who are unable to succeed in a traditional classroom. Ms. Elliott will be surprised with the honor at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the school, 309 Hartman Lane. Logos School Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Thomas will present the award to her in front of students during lunch.

Also recently presented with honors were:

• City Academy, St. Louis: Learning Specialist Janice Crowe, honored for dedication to help St. Louis elementary school children overcome language delays and improve motor skills.
• Crossroads College Preparatory School, St. Louis: Director of Bands Lamar Harris, honored for using the power of music to inspire student creativity and build self confidence.
• Barat Academy, Dardenne Prairie: Director of Faculty and Curriculum and AP Psychology Teacher Heidi Hays, recognized for the profound effect she has on coworkers in sharing best practices as well as her creative, confident approach to teaching.
• Webster Groves High School Assistant Principal Dr. Shiree Yeggins-Campbell, honored for visionary leadership, strong relationships with students and parents, and for an innovative outreach program.

"Each of these educators is harnessing the power of education to connect with and engage students in lessons that extend beyond the classroom," said Dr. Thomas. "Whether through music, creativity or innovation, these mentors are leaving lasting impressions and serving as true leaders in our schools and our communities."

Peabody Energy has pledged $450,000 over three years to support the Peabody/Logos Leaders in Education awards and benefit the mission of Logos School. The program recognizes exceptional mentors who transform the lives of students and includes a $1,000 grant.

Any employee at a St. Louis-area, Missouri or Illinois public, charter or private school serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 can qualify. A committee of academic, business and civic leaders selects each honoree. More information and applications are available at LogosSchool.org/Leaders.

MICHELLE ELLIOTT

Ms. Elliott teaches special education at O'Fallon's Central School, where she is able to truly connect with her students and excite them about learning through innovative uses of technology. She also has a leadership role among the school's staff, helping mentor others and sharing expertise in the areas of behavior development and technology in the classroom.

JANICE CROWE

At City Academy in north St. Louis, Ms. Crowe applies her decades of experience teaching deaf students to help inner-city children overcome developmental delays and speech and dialect differences. She communicates exceptionally well with parents, empowering them to assist in the development of their children. She also mentors, supports and models effective practices for colleagues, inspiring their professional and personal growth.

LAMAR HARRIS

As Director of Bands at Crossroads, Mr. Harris has reenergized the music program there, engaging one-fourth of the school's population in participating, and inspiring award-winning performances. Mr. Harris nurtures Crossroads students to develop musically and emotionally. He also provides his students real-life experience in music recording and community performances, including arranging for the Crossroads band to play the first set at a recent, sold-out India Arie concert at the Pageant in St. Louis.

HEIDI HAYS

Ms. Hays teaches AP Psychology and serves as Barat Academy's Director of Faculty and Curriculum, taking care to develop daily lessons that are creative and with a teaching style that serves as an example for other teachers, who have brought some of Ms. Hays' ideas to their teaching approaches.

DR. SHIREE YEGGINS-CAMPBELL

Dr. Yeggins-Campbell has served as Dean of Attendance and Assistant Principal at Webster Groves High School since 2005, and is a strong leader. She was instrumental in helping the district formulate and implement Webster Challenge, a new program designed to support African-American students in education achievements and breaking barriers students may face.

Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2009 sales of 244 million tons and $6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.

Logos School is an independent, alternative, therapeutic school in St. Louis. The school is dedicated to assisting students and their families with academic and emotional needs that have not been met in a traditional classroom. Founded in 1970, Logos has helped more than 1,400 at-risk adolescents to achieve a high school diploma.

SOURCE Peabody Energy