The Raymore-Peculiar School District is seeking nominations for the 2013 Teacher of the Year and the 2013 Support Staff Employee of the Year. A combined banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 to honor finalists in both awards programs.</p><p><span class="subhead">To nominate a teacher</span></p><p>Anyone may nominate a teacher by submitting a letter of nomination by Friday, March 22. A candidate must:</p><p>&bull;&nbsp; Be a full-time teacher,</p><p>&bull;&nbsp; Be returning to teach in 2013-2014 in the district,</p><p>&bull;&nbsp; Have completed three or more years teaching in the Ray-Pec district</p><p>&bull;&nbsp; Be effective and innovative in the classroom.</p><p>Administrators, librarians and counselors are not eligible for this award. Once nominations are submitted, the district will determine if candidates meet additional criteria for attendance, positive evaluations and participation on school or district committees.</p><p>Ten finalists will be selected, and a panel of judges from outside the district will select the winner. The Teacher of the Year will receive a $500 cash award, a plaque and a banner for his or her building or department. A photo of the winner will hang in the Administrative Services Center. The winner will also receive other prizes, and will be nominated to represent the district by participating in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program.</p><p>Send nominations to: Ray-Pec Teacher of the Year program, Administrative Services Center, P.O. Box 789, Peculiar, MO, 64078, or to Michele Stidham, Communication Director, at mstidham@raypec.k12.mo.us or rpupdate@raypec.k12.mo.us.</p><p><span class="subhead">To nominate a support staff employee</span></p><p>Any full-time or part-time employee who has worked a minimum of one year for the district is eligible for nomination.</p><p>Examples of employees eligible for this award include those from the following areas: accompanist, accounts payable, buildings and grounds, child care, child nutrition, crossing guards, lunch monitors, media assistants, paraprofessionals, Panther Cub Academy, payroll, safety and security, secretaries, teacher aides, and technology employees.</p><p>Administrators, teachers, counselors and librarians are not eligible.</p><p>Up to 10 finalists will be honored at the Wednesday, May 1 banquet, and one will be announced as the winner. A panel of judges from outside the district will select the winner. The Support Staff Employee of the Year will receive a $500 cash award, a plaque and a banner for his or her building or department. A photo of the winner will hang in the Administrative Services Center.</p><p>The program is intended to honor and show appreciation for support staff employees who make a difference.</p><p>Send a letter of nomination by Friday, March 22 to: Support Staff Employee of the Year program, Administrative Services Center, P.O. Box 789, Peculiar, MO, 64078. You may also email nominations to: Michele Stidham, Communication Director, at mstidham@raypec.k12.mo.us or rpupdate@raypec.k12.mo.us.</p><p><span class="subhead">Awards banquet</span></p><p>The Ray-Pec Public School Foundation plans the awards programs and the banquet. You may attend the banquet to show support for the finalists. The cost is $20. To make a reservation, contact Pam Steele, Executive Assistant for the Superintendent and Board of Education, at 816-892-1311 or psteele@raypec.k12.mo.us.</p><p>For information about sponsoring the banquet or providing prizes or gifts for the finalists or winners, contact Jodie Huston, Executive Director for the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation, at jhuston@raypec.k12.mo.us.