Two Ozarks Educators in the Running for ‘Teacher of the Year’

Two educators from classrooms in the Ozarks region are among seven finalists for Missouri’s “Teacher of the Year” award.

The award is given each year by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Teachers were nominated by their school districts.

Jean Lawson, a special education teacher at Truman Elementary in Springfield, is one of the finalists.

“I was just overwhelmed, it was not anything I really expected. Even to be nominated by somebody was really an honor,” Lawson said.

Also in the running is Amber Galiher, who teaches kindergarten at West Plains Elementary School.

Lawson, Galiher, and the other five finalists will be interviewed this month by a panel of judges in Jefferson City, where one winner will be selected.