Kirkwood member receives the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence

Robert Becker to be honored by California Casualty and the NEA Foundation at Washington, D.C. Awards Gala

Robert Becker, Kirkwood NEA member and high school chemistry teacher, is a recipient of the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the nation's most prestigious honors for public school educators.

Becker is one of 38 awardees who will be honored at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala to be held in Washington, D.C. Feb. 8, 2013. Known as the Academy Awards of public education, the gala attracts more than 850 of the nation's leaders from public education, philanthropy and the private sector.

"We give these awards annually to honor and promote excellence in education and to elevate the profession,” says Harriet Sanford, president and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “Educators like these are critical to their students' academic success, and they deserve national recognition. We are thrilled that California Casualty has joined us again this year to pay tribute to educators who are making such a difference in the lives of students in classrooms across the country."

Missouri NEA nominated Becker, also a past Missouri Teacher of the Year and the recipient of the MNEA Horace Mann Teacher of the Year. Each award recipient's school will receive a $650 award.

From the 38 state awardees, five finalists will be selected to receive $10,000 cash awards. At the conclusion of the Washington, D.C. gala, one finalist will be named the nation's top educator and receive an additional $25,000.

The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association jointly present the awards with support from California Casualty, the Horace Mann Companies, NEA Member Benefits, and the Pearson Foundation.

The NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation is an independent, public charity supported by contributions from educators, corporate sponsors, and others. We partner with education unions, districts, and communities to create powerful, sustainable improvements in teaching and learning. Visit www.neafoundation.org for more information.