These Mizzou and Columbia Public Schools teachers were awarded as top educators

Roger McKinney, Columbia Daily Tribune
Updated ·3 min read
Battle High School science teacher Hannah Nandor on Tuesday was presented with the Outstanding High School Educator award by Columbia Public Schools. She's shown here speaking with daughter Cora, as her husband, Andrew, holds their other daughter, Maeve.

The University of Missouri and Columbia Public Schools each wrapped up their surprise awards for teachers on Tuesday.

William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence

For MU, the 2024 William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence Awards began last week and wrapped up Tuesday. The winners, nominated by colleagues, get a $15,000 check with the award.

The MU winners are:

Nicole Campione-Barr, professor of psychological sciences in the College of Arts and Science and director of undergraduate research in psychology. She received her bachelor's degree from MU in 1999 and began her teaching career there in 2006.

Seth Howes is an associate professor of German and associate chair of the School of Languages, Literature and Cultures in the College of Arts and Science. Howes has led undergraduate study abroad trips to Germany.

Amy Knopps, director of Marching Mizzou. took the band to the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. She also directs Mini Mizzou and the Symphonic Band. Knopps is an associate teaching professor for the School of Music in the College of Arts and Science.

Jason Furrer is an associate teaching professor in the School of Medicine's department of microbiology and immunology. He has a 1998 bachelor's degree in chemistry and a 2006 doctorate in microbiology and immunology, both from MU.

Chris Prestigiacomo is an associate teaching professor in the Trulaske College of Business, where he teaches accountancy to undergraduate and graduate students. He has a 1980 bachleor's degree in business administration, a 1981 master's in business administration and a 1995 doctoral degree in finance, all from MU. He has been teaching at MU since 2008.

Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence

An entourage dubbed "the prize patrol" including Superintendent Brian Yearwood and other Columbia Public Schools dignitaries traveled around the district in a van on Tuesday surprising teachers with the 2024 Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence awards.

The honorees receive $1,500 and an engraved silver tray. They will be recognized in a ceremony next month.

The fund began through the work of the late Ray and Jeanne Lewis with an initial contribution and other fundraising. The late Ray Lewis was a local attorney and school board member and the late Jeanne Lewis was a teacher.

Alyssa Mincke, Ridgeway Elementary School, received the award for Outstanding Elementary Educator, grades preK-2.

Amanda Kincaid, Cedar Ridge Elementary School, is the Outstanding Elementary Educator, grades 3-5.

Cathy Ferrell, Lange Middle School, is the Outstanding Middle School Teacher.

Hannah Nandor, Battle High School, received the award for Outstanding High School Educator.

Hannah Vonder Haar, West Boulevard Elementary School, received the award for Outstanding Educator in a Specialized Area.

Beau Roseblock, Jefferson Middle School, is the Outstanding Beginning Teacher.

Shelly Fair, director of English learners and migrant education, received the Outstanding Administrator award.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on X at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: These Columbia, MU teachers were surprised with prestigious awards