Leo Ganahl Selected as Ferguson-Florissant Teacher of the Year

The selected its 2010-2011 , and he's the district’s first male elementary school teacher to hold the title in its almost-30-year history.

Last week, the district announced third-grade Bermuda Elementary School teacher, Leo Ganahl, as Teacher of the Year.

“There is no individual teacher that deserves the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award," Ganahl wrote in his candidate application. “A teacher becomes successful by working with a dedicated and enthusiastic group of stakeholders (students, parents, community members and staff).”

For the past six years, Ganahl has worked as a third-grade teacher at Bermuda Elementary. He’s also a product of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, having graduated from McCluer High School.

Ganahl received nominations from his colleagues as well as a couple of special nominations from his former students.

“Mr. Ganahl is a teacher that you can joke with, but when it is time to work, he is there to help,” sixth-grader Brittany Jackson wrote. “The award will encourage him to stay a teacher and change many other lives with his teaching.”  

Ganahl will be placed in the pool with a number of teachers across the state to be Missouri Teacher of the Year.  

There have been four men teachers to receive the award since its inception, all in secondary education, including Larry Marsh in 1983, Chris Brown in 1986, Joseph Henke in 2002 and Kevin Hampton in 2006. The district has held the contest since 1982.

“The educational experience presented by a teacher is what determines if student learn or not, and I love being a part of that experience,” Ganahl wrote.