St. Frances Cabrini Academy social studies teacher honored with Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

Heidi Piatchek sported a blue-and-gold striped Egyptian pharoah’s headdress as she paced among the aisles of her sixth grade social studies class at St. Frances Cabrini Academy.

In a new unit on ancient Egypt, Piatchek got right into it with a discussion about the similarities and differences in Egyptian and modern-day Christian beliefs about what happens to life after death.

“They believe in an afterlife,” Piatchek said. “Do we believe in an afterlife? Absolutely. Do we think the afterlife is going to be totally awesome and rock? Absolutely. And they did, too — for the most part. And human beings, we just naturally know there’s a God, and you and I are fortunate enough to have the teachings of Jesus.”

Piatchek is one of six Catholic elementary and high school teachers in the metropolitan St. Louis area who are among more than 100 educators honored with an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award this year. The annual award recognizes classroom instructors, selected by their schools’ administrators, for their accomplishments and dedication to their students and the teaching profession.

The Excellence in Teaching Awards program began in St. Louis in 1989 and is sponsored annually by Emerson, the St. Louis-headquartered global technology and engineering company.

Piatchek has been teaching since 1983 and came to St. Frances Cabrini 22 years ago when the school opened in 2003 on the campus of St. Wenceslaus in south St. Louis. She was inspired by the diverse student body, which includes families from 15 different countries. Piatchek’s mother was a refugee from Eastern Europe who was educated in Catholic schools in St. Louis and eventually became a teacher.

“I wanted to give back when I first saw this job,” said Piatchek, a member of Queen of All Saints Parish in Oakville. “I wanted to help like they helped my mother.”

Piatchek’s lessons are a balance of best teaching practices, integrating technology with class discussions and project-based learning, St. Frances Cabrini principal Caroline Koetting wrote in her nomination of Piatchek.

“She has a unique ability to interact with middle school students so that they feel valued and supported,” she wrote. “Our students from diverse backgrounds come together as global citizens prepared to take on the world.”

Piatchek has amassed a collection of more than a dozen hats that she regularly incorporates in her lessons. She wears a tri-corner hat when she teaches on the American Revolution and dons a Stetson hat similar to President Harry S. Truman’s for lessons on the 20th century.

Being at a Catholic school gives her the ability to bring faith into the classroom, too.

“I can teach Egypt, and I can talk about our faith,” Piatchek said. “I can teach anything and always include the faith, and that’s it for me — that’s the bottom line. There’s nothing more important than that.”

Louise Balicki-Smith First grade, St. Raphael the Archangel School

Balicki-Smith has a passion for the teaching profession that is evident daily through her interactions with students and colleagues as a first grade teacher and learning consultant, principal Julie Hayes wrote in her nomination of Balicki-Smith.

During her 10 years at St. Raphael the Archangel School, she has shown herself to be a lifelong learner who is interested in learning new ways to teach a concept or understand a child’s learning differences. She regularly researches and evaluates evidence-based practices and protocols in teaching across grade levels.

She has produced creative and innovative ideas for organizing special events, consistently volunteers to take the lead role in the school’s testing program, family groups and elective program. She also served as a co-chair for the school’s School Improvement Process this past year.

Lyn Brunner Grades 5-8, Our Lady of Lourdes School

Brunner, a 27-year veteran teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Washington, has been described as a “top notch teacher” who has demonstrated what passion for students and education is all about. “She is one that always goes above and beyond of what is asked,” principal Ann Joyce wrote in her nomination of Brunner.

Brunner took charge of the school’s curriculum mapping for her grade levels and helped other teachers during the process of writing curriculum units. She has served as chair of the school’s institution group for the School Improvement Process, has been a summer school teacher, an after-school tutor, leads the sixth grade Safety Patrol, is on the Spelling Bee and Geography Bee committee and has taken sixth graders on the school’s annual overnight camp.

“She dives in to figure out new platforms that we have integrated into our curriculum,” Joyce wrote. “She does not hesitate to learn new things as she prides herself in being a lifelong learner.”

Alex Hall Theology, De Smet Jesuit High School

Students are best engaged in Hall’s classroom when they are able to identify where their personal experiences intersect with the content they’re learning.

Hall, who teaches Contemporary Discipleship, encourages students to be efficacious: leading prayer, connecting prayers to personal experiences, answering concrete questions and writing reflections that connect to their lives and monitoring their own progress through evaluative tools.

Outside of the classroom, Hall is director of student activities, assistant cross country coach and sports and spirit moderator. As chair of the theology department, he has been instrumental in guiding his department through the School Improvement Process and leading De Smet’s strategic plan.

Nick Kheriaty Science, St. Louis Priory School

As a physics and chemistry teacher for sophomores and juniors, Kheriaty thoughtfully designs his lessons to promote inquiry and mastery, guiding students through demonstrations and experiments. His high expectations are complemented with a kind, generous heart, assistant head of school for intellectual formation Tim Malacek wrote in his nomination of Kheriaty.

As the science department chair, Kheriaty provides leadership for his department and regularly serves as a substitute for other teachers. He also serves as the sophomore grade-level dean, instilling an “esprit de corps” within the class of 2028, addresses student needs with patience and provides challenges or support as needed.

Megan Rosario Rouse Spanish, Chaminade College Preparatory School

Rosario Rouse has been described as a leader in teaching innovation at the school, developing students both academically and personally, Chaminade vice principal Brett Desnoyer wrote in the nomination letter.

She takes a creative approach, blending multiple methods of instruction and assessment to ensure student learning. The classroom environment is serious and academic, while also being playful, engaging and fun.

Rosario Rouse emphasizes learning Spanish and developing an appreciation of the culture and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries and people. She offers cultural opportunities outside of the classroom, including trips to the Festival of Nations and the Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival, as well as traveling internationally.

Rosario Rouse also is involved with the Spanish Honor Society, led students in the capacity of house dean in Chaminade’s House System and most recently served as the department chair of the Modern and Classical Languages Department.