The Presidential Award means so much to me. I was honored to be nominated by one of my all time favorite colleagues, and Presidential Award winner, Mrs. Becky Hicks. I had already felt like a winner when I was notified that she was nominating me to compete for the award. I am extremely humbled by being chosen amongst so many amazing Missouri science teachers! The award also means so much to me because of my family's support throughout the years. I am truly a very, very blessed person!

Kamilla Riek Saint Louis, MO | K-6, Science, 2008

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Kamilla Riek, known as Kay, has been teaching mathematics and science for nearly a decade. At the time of the award, she taught all fifth grade subjects at Bayless Intermediate School in the Bayless School District, where she was the grade-level lead teacher for balanced literacy and the lead teacher in the school district for writing science curriculum for the fifth grade. Currently she serves as a Literacy Coach in the Mehlville School District at Blades Elementary and Point Elementary schools. Using formal and informal assessments, she develops strategies to differentiate between learners. She facilitated "Sparklers," an after-school tutoring program designed to enhance achievement for third grade students. She is credited with always finding ways to help the school improve. Students and colleagues alike testify to Mrs. Riek's outstanding teaching abilities, saying that they have learned much in science this year and are eager to learn more. Some claim that although they had not been interested in science previously (and did not even like it), they are now fascinated by the subject, describing it as a mystery waiting to be solved. Mrs. Riek makes learning a joy for her fifth grade students by making content comprehensible, interesting, and fun. Mrs. Riek is described as an invaluable source of information and a teacher who is greatly respected and admired by students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. Her dedication to her work and ability to motivate and encourage students to learn is commended. Her creative ideas and constant search for new ideas are also applauded. She is able to capture the attention of her students by using fun and exciting hands-on activities. Mrs. Riek has participated in numerous professional training and assessment programs. She is certified by CHARACTERplus in Basic Character Education and trained in the implementation of Everyday Mathematics. She is active in local, state, and national professional associations and committees. Mrs. Riek has a B.S., magna cum laude, in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University. She is certified in first through eighth grade elementary education.

Know a great teacher like Kamilla Riek?