Local educator up for state honor

PALMER — Linda Jo Klapperich is one of three finalists for the 2011 Alaska Teacher of the Year award. Klapperich, a 20-year veteran of teaching at Palmer Junior Middle School, is the reigning Mat-Su Teacher of the Year.

“As principal of Palmer Junior Middle School, I inherited a school that was determined by the federal government to be a school that needed improving,” PJMS principal Gene Stone wrote when nominating Klapperich for the honor. “Without Ms. Klapperich’s support for accountability and changing the way business was done at Palmer Junior Middle School, I would not have been able to move forward with the changes that needed to be made.”

In addition to her work as a teacher, Klapperich is a volunteer loyal to a number of local causes. Klapperich donates her time to the annual Halloween Hollow event, which raises thousands of dollars for children in need, the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Run and Relay for Life. Klapperich also helps organize PJMS events, such as the school’s talent show, geography bee and spelling bee. She is also a United Way volunteer.

In his nomination letter, Stone also praised Klapperich for her interaction with students and colleagues.

“Ms. Klapperich engages students with her enthusiasm, energy and sense of humor,” Stone wrote. “Ms. Klapperich is Palmer Junior Middle School’s Ms. Sunshine. These acts of kindness and support are done in the name of making education the greatest and most honorable profession. I guarantee there is no other teacher in this state who has given more to education than Ms. Klapperich. Linda Jo is committed to making a difference every day “

If Klapperich wins, it would mark the third straight year in which a Valley teacher earned the honor. Jackie Lee Johnson, a fifth-grade teacher at Pioneer Peak Elementary, was the 2010 Alaska Teacher of the Year. Robert Williams, a teacher at Colony High School, won in 2009.

The 2011 Alaska Teacher of the Year will be named Oct. 21.

— Jeremiah Bartz