State Teacher of Year finalists named

Jefferson City Public Schools' Teacher of the Year Nikki Carel did not make it through to the final seven selected for the state's Teacher of the Year award.

Carel has been a first-grade teacher at Pioneer Trail Elementary for five out of the 14 years she's been a teacher. She was one of the three regional Teacher of the Year winners and among the 31 in the running for the state honor during that phase.

The candidates go through a lengthy application process, including descriptions of their teaching philosophies, trends in education and what can be improved and their professional biography.

The finalist for this year include:

Katherine Arens, Lindbergh Schools

Jody Hilton, Camdenton R-3

Sandy Humbyrd, Hollister R-5

Nancy Luebbers, University City

Lindsay Thompson, Fort Osage R-1

Michelle Uptegrove, Lee's Summit

Darbie Valenti, Savannah R-3

The state selection committee, made up of teachers, business leaders and education organization leaders, will choose the Missouri Teacher of the Year following interviews with each finalist, according to the news release from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The winner and finalists will be honored at a banquet on Oct. 24 in Jefferson City. The state's nominee will move on to the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Missouri's current Teacher of the Year is Linda Glasgow, a third-grade teacher at John Nowlin Elementary in Blue Springs.