This year's Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacheršs Award of the South Central Missouri Section of the American Chemical Society was presented to Mrs. Karen Hammond of the Rolla High School on November 27, 2001 at UMR.
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This Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the education of young people in Chemistry, and consists of a special plaque and a check for $300.
Mrs. Hammond received her B.S. in Ed with an emphasis in Chemistry from Southwest Missouri State University in 1990, and her Masteršs degree in Education from Southwest Baptist University in 1996.
Mrs. Hammond taught biology, chemistry, physical and earth sciences for 2 years at Maries R-1 school district in Vienna Missouri. She has been teaching chemistry at Rolla High School for the past 9 years and is chairman of the Science Department.
Mrs. Hammond takes great pride in the accomplishments of her students. She is a dedicated professional and an exemplary teacher, instilling the "I can" philosophy in her students. She willingly gives of her time to students before school, during lunch, after school, evening, and weekends if necessary. The RHS chemistry team, which Mrs. Hammond helps prepare each year for competition, has placed first in the large school division at the SEMO Chem Bowl the past six years. Her students have also had a high success rate on the AP Chemistry Test and at the Missouri Science Olympiad. She possesses the highest standard for excellence and achieves it with all ability levels. Mrs. Hammond is a very positive person who looks for what is in the best interest of the student.
She has been chosen as a Shaw P. Wan Outstanding Faculty Member. She has also been chosen every year by National Honor Society students to receive the "most influential teacher" award. Finally, she was also chosen by a Presidential scholar as his most influential teacher in 1998. As a result, she spent a week in Washington, D. C. and attended a ceremony for the Presidential scholars where the teachers were honored. She also attended a ceremony at the White House where President Clinton addressed the Presidential Scholars.
Ms. Hammond cares deeply about the education of her students and wants to do everything in her power to help them be successful not only in her class, but in life.
On a more personal note, Mrs. Hammond is married with two children. Her husband runs his own lumber business and they all live in Licking, Missouri.
Following the award presentation, Mr. Keith Strassner, Business Manager for the ARC Division of Brewer Science Inc. of Rolla gave an ACS sponsored seminar on: "Brewer Science - A Silicon Valley High Tech in the Ozarks."
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