Editor's note: This story features some additional insights not included in the print version of the story.

Layne Meyers said she was in third grade when she knew she wanted to be a teacher.

“I had several amazing teachers growing up, but the one that truly inspired me to teach is Susan McGannon,” Meyers, a teacher at McMillan Early Learning Center, said in an email to the Ledger. “I was lucky enough to have her in first and third grade and absolutely loved her. She was always very kind and caring to each student.”

Meyers and four other educators in Mexico Public Schools district were honored last week with the Laurann Webber Excellence in Teaching Award. Meyers, who teaches PreK at McMillan Early Learning Center, answered some questions on the teaching profession, her work and what it was like to win the award.

“I will always remember her reading Miss Nelson books and even dressing up as Viola Swamp (the teacher in the book) on Halloween,” Meyers said about McGannon, a teacher Meyers had at Hawthorne Elementary School. “I loved how she read each character's story.  I truly hope I can inspire my students to grow up to be educators just like Mrs. McGannon inspired me.”

In recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Day, five educators in the Mexico Public Schools received surprise classroom visits to learn they were this year’s recipients of the Laurann Webber Excellence in Teaching Award. Five district campuses were represented in the awards. Other honored teachers besides Meyers were:

• Heidi Dillon, Eugene Field Elementary 
• Alex Stuckenschneider, Hawthorne Elementary 
• Sarah Gleeson, Mexico Middle School 
• Dale Schenewerk, Mexico High School 

Now in its sixth year, the award honors the legacy of the late Laurann Webber and “celebrates the lasting impact of exceptional teaching,” a district news release stated.

Larry Webber, husband of Laurann, said his wife, who died in 2014, was not a teacher - she was a pharmacist - but supported education, and Larry said he and his sons decided they wanted to do something in Laurann’s name and memory. Larry said Commerce Bank joined in in recognizing teachers in Mexico. Larry said the teachers awards program is getting more applications than they have had in the past.

“The interest is greater than it has been in the past, and we think that’s a good thing,” he said.

Each recipient received a $2,000 award, which was made possible by the Webber family and a matching contribution from Commerce Bank. 

To be eligible, educators must be full-time faculty members with at least three years of service to the district and a contract for the upcoming school year, the release stated. Nominations were submitted by faculty colleagues and administrators, and there were no restrictions on how recipients use their award funds. A selection committee made up of three retired teachers, along with Gina Raines of Commerce Bank and Brendan Webber of Webber Family Pharmacies, reviewed all nominations before choosing this year’s honorees. 

In an interview with the Ledger, Raines explained what committee members were looking for in nominees, including having a completed application and letters of recommendations.

“We also look for involvement not only in the school but as well as other community activities,” she said. “Those were really the main factors we looked at.”

In their applications, teachers discussed their view on teaching, and committee members gained an understanding of why they teach and what it means to them, Raines said.

“Which is always impactful,” she said.

The Ledger contacted teachers and teachers’ principals by email about the awards.

“It is a huge honor to receive this prestigious award,” Meyers said. “To even be nominated is an honor. I think it is wonderful that the Webber Family and Commerce Bank team up to recognize outstanding educators and honor the late Mrs. Laurann Webber. I truly believe Mexico has some of the best educators and it is always nice to be recognized for our hard work.” 

Meyers said the best part of teaching is “seeing my students everyday. I look forward to seeing their smiles and hearing their wild stories every day. Kids are seriously hilarious. I love being able to be silly with them and teach them things outside of the normal academics. We do a lot of cooking in our class and I make sure my students get a lot of playing time. I believe students learn best through play, especially at this age.”

Schenewerk, a math teacher and department chair who teaches a number of courses, also said it was an honor to be recognized.

“I am just one of many teachers who spends countless hours working on lessons, grading student work, spending time outside of the school day for the betterment of our students,” he said. “Being honored for the work I have done to help these students just serves as a reminder that the work is appreciated. Not just by students and their parents … but also by the community. I am floored to be included in such company as the past winners as well as the wonderful teachers from the other buildings who won this year.” 

He described teaching as a calling, as he explained that starting in high school, “my friends said I helped explain math to where they could more easily understand it.” He said at the beginning, he thought that was what teaching was - being able to explain difficult concepts. 

“It wasn't until I entered the teaching field that I saw the real job isn't the curriculum, but rather making and building the connections with the students that transcends the curriculum,” he said.

MHS Principal Brad Ellebracht said Schenewerk “is an incredibly dedicated teacher that takes so much pride in his students and what they accomplish. It is always fun to get to talk to Dale about his students because he is always very excited about what they are doing and what they are accomplishing. He has been so dedicated to the school and to the students over the years, (so) it really is great to see him recognized for what he does for kids in Mexico.” 

Ellebracht added that Schenewerk is also the school’s Scholar Bowl Team coach, and he “works tirelessly to find ways to challenge them and celebrate their success.” 

 Gleeson teaches eighth grade English language arts and has taught sixth through eighth grade social studies at MMS in the past. She has been at MMS since it became a middle school in 2007. Prior to that, she taught fourth and fifth grades at Eugene Field. 

She said when she was in third grade, she said she wanted to be a pastor or a photojournalist for National Geographic, but later decided she would be a teacher. 

“Both of my parents were teachers and that made a huge impact on me,” she said. “My mom, Barb Green, taught music at Eugene Field for many years. My dad, Buck Green, taught history at Mexico High School and coached. He is still coaching. It is fair to say I saw all that teaching involved and I knew that's what I wanted to do as well.”

Kyle Louder, principal of MMS, said he was happy to see Gleeson win the award, explaining “she is a fantastic teacher who does a lot for her students and MMS as a building.” 

Stuckenschneider, who teaches Title I reading at Hawthorne, said she always knew growing up that she wanted to be a teacher. 

"I had several elementary teachers growing up that strongly influenced me and inspired me to follow in their footsteps," she said. "I knew I wanted to make a positive impact in my students' lives, just like my teachers did for me. "

She said  every teacher she has worked with on a grade level team, every principal and every other teacher she has worked closely with have all inspired her teaching in one way or another.

"They've given me teaching strategies, classroom management skills, understanding of different curriculums, and so much more," she said. "I am so thankful to my previous and current teammates and administrators for guiding me, pushing me through hard times, inspiring me and helping me grow. "

Katie Lehnen, principal at Hawthorne, said seeing Stuckenschneider receive the award “filled me with pride knowing that Hawhorne is lucky enough to have such a great dedicated teacher.” She called Stuckenschneider a wonderful teacher and that the school is “very lucky” to have her, explaining Stuckenschneider has a talent for building strong and meaningful relationships with her students, colleagues and parents, adding she showed this when she was a first grade teacher and continues to show this as one of the school’s Title I reading teachers.