Boonville Teacher Needs Your Votes For Reader’s Digest Teacher Of The Year

Bill Nye, The Science Guy, Could Come To Boonville

We've had a lot of local teachers getting nominated for some really cool awards lately. In case you didn't know, the majority of your children's teachers spend their own money to make sure your kids have the best school year ever. Whether it's decorating their class, buying awards or prizes, treats and fun things for the classroom, the list goes on and on, but the point remains the same: today's teachers give a lot of themselves and their pocketbooks when they absolutely don't have to. Any chance I get to enter a local teacher that I've noticed going the extra mile, I sign them up! Earlier this year, I noticed a really unique one, and it included my childhood TV science teacher. Reader's Digest has partnered with Bill Nye, The Science Guy, to find America's Favorite Teacher. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, an appearance in Reader's Digest, and, coolest of all, Bill Nye will host a school assembly at the winner's school! The hunt started with submissions of inspiring stories about teachers who are truly making a difference in the lives of the children in their community. I was not surprised to find out that a local teacher is in the running, but now she needs our help!

Vote For Boonville High School Teacher Stephanie Son

When the contest first opened, there were over 90,0000 initial entries. With under 75,000 entries remaining, Boonville High School English teacher Stephanie Son is still in the running to take home the big prize for this contest, but she needs our help! For over 27 years, Son has been teaching at Boonville High School, loving every minute of it! In my brief conversation with her, I can see why. Her students look up to her in such a way that the majority of them refer to her as "Mama Son".  It's evident Mrs. Son constantly thinks of her students, and now she's constantly thinking of their children, as the majority of her first students at Boonville High School are either teaching with her now or their children are being taught by her. Here's the scoop on how to vote for Mrs. Son: Everyone gets at least one free vote a day, but if you're looking to really be supportive and donate to a great cause, additional votes can be purchased. The purchased votes are tax-deductible, and all proceeds go to The Planetary Society. Additional vote pricing ranges from $10 to $250. The judging is done in groups and phases, so stay tuned, as voting will continue if Mrs. Son makes it out of this round. Learn more about Stephanie Son and get your vote in today here. When asked what she would do with the $25,000 grand prize, Son told Reader's Digest the following:

"I would pay off some debt, take a much-needed vacation, stock up my snack pantry for my students, start a college-savings account for my only grandchild, donate to St. Jude and some other charitable organizations, and put the rest in savings. I have a lot of growing teenagers, so I buy them snacks and water out of my own money regularly. It becomes costly, but they appreciate it, and they are worth it! Students learn and focus better when they aren't hungry."