Brentwood Teacher is 1 of 10 of 2,700 to Win Award

Brentwood High School Special Education Teacher Shannon Koster, was one of 10 out of 2,700 teachers in the Special School District (SSD) to be honored with the SSD Keys to the Classroom Award on Wednesday.

Koster has taught for 23 years. Twenty one of those have been at Brentwood schools.

Teachers are selected for their "creative approaches to student learning, innovative programming and commitment to student success," the St. Louis SSD website states.

SSD paraeducator Terri Schuchard said Koster's sense of humor stands out.

"It seems to flow naturally out of her joy of life and enjoyment of teaching," Schuchard said at the dinner on March 6. "It adds to the pleasure of the class and keeps the students focused and paying attention."

Schuchard also said Koster is the faculty sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She and her husband, Bill, were sponsors of Project Graduation, a group that plans lock-in activities for seniors following graduation. They were also co-founders of the Football Eagles Booster Club. BASS Entertainment, LLC, the Koster's family DJ business, which provides music for many school dances.

Brentwood High School senior Nick Featherston, a leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, said, "I understand what true leadership is, and Mrs. Koster definitely has it," he said. "She guides students, including myself, to reach their full potential."

Koster said seeing students reach their potential is the best part of her job.

"I enjoy knowing that I’m helping them become better students, better people, and preparing them to go out after high school and be able to be productive and contributing citizens," she said, "and to reach their goals, whatever goals they might have for themselves."

Also in Patch:

• Two Days Added to the Brentwood School Year
• Mariah Medina Hopes to Return to MRH as a Math Teacher
• Proposition K Informational Meeting Tuesday