Five Florissant residents and employees of schools in the Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD) received awards Wednesday at the annual SSD Salutes Banquet.

Laura Petroff, Lorraine McNeil, Matthew Phillips, Cheryl Fleming and Krista Sherman were among the 41 staff and community members recognizaed at the banquet. SSD representatives recognized teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and community members who have gone above and beyond when serving the district.

Each of the five winners received awards in the following categories:

• 2012 Key to the Classroom Winner

Laura Petroff teaches at Ackerman School in the Special School District. The Key to the Classroom winners are teachers who have creative approaches to students learning, innovative programming and commitment to their success.

• Special Ambassador Award Winners

Lorraine McNeil teaches at North Technical High School in the Special School District, and Matthew Phillips, of Florissant, works as principal at Brown Elementary in the Hazelwood School District. The Special Ambassador is awarded to community awards who go above and beyond their commitment to students and staff of SSD.

• Building Block Award Winner

Cheryl Fleming, of Florissant, is a paraprofessional at Glenridge Elementary in the Clayton School District. This award is designed for paraprofessionals’ outstanding work for the students.

• Lasting Impression Award Winner

 Krista Sherman is a social worker at North Technical High School in the Special School District. This award is dedicated to the support staff who are dedicated to students in and out of the classroom.