Last night, August 16, Peabody Energy, the world’s largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in sustainable mining and clean coal solutions, hosted its annual dinner reception to honor the St. Louis heroes in education at Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark.
The Peabody Energy Leaders in Education program honors compassionate education professionals who help children achieve their true potential. A committee of top educators and business leaders selected the award recipients throughout the 2011-2012 school year. Each of the 31 St. Louis area honorees received a $1,000 grant yesterday evening.
The program also selects one honoree as the Educator of the Year. This year, Brian O'Connor of Nottingham Community Access and Job Training High School was named Educator of the Year-Teacher of the Year! He received an additional $5,000 grant. Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, presented O'Connor the award at the reception. Also in attendance was First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon, among other local business and civic leaders.
O’Connor is the principal of Nottingham CAJT High School, a public school for students with developmental disabilities. His goal is to give his students the best education that fits their needs. He has developed character education programs, activity clubs, and rewards day activities. These programs have encouraged student engagement and attendance at his school. O’Connor is devoted to students’ success after graduation. For the past three years, his school has placed 90 percent of its graduates in a job, adult day care center or job development program.
Click here to see the honorees and more party pics!
