Valerie Jankowski, Library Media Specialist at Washington Middle School, has been named the School District of Washington’s recipient of the 2020 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award.
The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards program annually recognizes more than 100 educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area – from kindergarten teachers to college professors – who are examples of excellence in their field.
Recipients are selected by the chief administrators of their school districts or educational institutions. The employing educational institution must be located in the St. Louis metropolitan area, which is defined to include: (in Missouri) Franklin County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, St. Louis City, St. Louis County; and (in Illinois) Jersey County, Madison County, Monroe County, and St. Clair County.
Jankowski has been in education for 14 years, all with the School District of Washington. She previously was a librarian at Fifth Street Elementary and Clearview Elementary before arriving at Washington Middle School for the 2013-14 school year.
A ceremony recognizing the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipients normally takes place every year in St. Louis, but will not this year due to the pandemic. Jankowski’s plaque will be mailed to her in November.
“It’s quite an honor to receive this award and something that I never expected,” Jankowski said. “I want to thank all of my co-workers at the middle school. I couldn’t do my job without all of the people I work with. They make me better at what I do. Their willingness to work with me makes my job possible.”
“Valerie has shown her passion for education and student learning every day at Washington Middle School. She is one of the few educators in our building that teaches every single student that attends school at WMS,” said Washington Middle School Principal Laura Bruckerhoff. “She presents lessons on everything from cyber bullying to book talks for students. She is always open and willing to help any teacher or student in the building. She makes our library a welcoming, safe place for students to learn and study. Valerie is a treasured member of our staff and is very deserving of this award. We are proud that she works at Washington Middle School.”
Valerie and her husband, Dave, live in Villa Ridge. They have two children; daughter Brynn is a sophomore at the University of Missouri and son Pete is a junior at Borgia High School.
The last four Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipients from the School District of Washington have been Washington High School’s Tim Branson in 2019, Augusta’s Amy Brinkmann in 2018, Washington Middle School’s Stefanie Virgen in 2017, and Clearview’s Becky Zanin in 2016.
Valerie Jankowski
Valerie Jankowski Recognized
Valerie Jankowski (middle), Library Media Specialist at Washington Middle School, has been named the School District of Washington’s recipient of the 2020 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Also pictured are WMS Assistant Principal Stacey Secor, left, and WMS Principal Laura Bruckerhoff, right.
Valerie Jankowski Recognized
Valerie Jankowski
(middle), Library Media Specialist at Washington Middle School, has been
named the School District of Washington’s recipient of the 2020 Emerson
Excellence in Teaching Award. Also pictured are WMS Assistant Principal
Stacey Secor, left, and WMS Principal Laura Bruckerhoff, right.