Anne Meyer, fourth grade teacher at Gotsch Intermediate School, has been named Affton School District’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year.
“Celebrating the achievements of our teachers is always rewarding, and acknowledging their profound impact on education is essential,” stated Dr. Travis Bracht, superintendent. “Anne's exceptional ability to forge meaningful connections with her students and tailor her approaches to their unique needs stands out remarkably. Her dedication not only enhances our educational environment but also sets a high standard within the Affton community. I am confident that she will exemplify the finest qualities of our district as Teacher of the Year.”
Meyer has served 14 years in education at Affton School District. She has been teaching in Affton for 12 years and served two years previously as a teaching assistant. On her Teacher of the Year nomination, a colleague states, “Anne has been a dedicated member of Gotsch Intermediate since she walked through the doors as a student. She has so much Affton pride that she brings with her each day. Anne is constantly looking for new ways to engage her students while providing them consistency. She created an environment where students feel safe and are not afraid to make mistakes in order to grow!”
“It is important for me to build relationships with students to understand their learning styles, know their interests, strengths, areas of growth, and know them as an individual. The foundation of secure relationships between student to teacher is demonstrated so students then build student-to-student relationships,” explained Meyer. “I believe that without the structure and focus on relationships, students will not be comfortable taking risks, collaborating with their peers, and empowering independence and development of intrinsic motivation.”
Pictured from left: Lindsay Sutterfield, Anne Meyer, Jennifer Pickett, and Angie Bleich
Each Affton school also named a Teacher of the Year for their building. They include Lindsay Sutterfield for Mesnier Primary; Meyer at Gotsch Intermediate; Angie Bleich at Rogers Middle; and Jennifer Pickett at Affton High School.
Lindsay Sutterfield, the Mesnier Primary School Teacher of the Year, is a second grade teacher with 12 years in education and has been in the Affton School District for five years.
Angie Bleich, the Rogers Middle School Teacher of the Year, is a Special School District (SSD) teacher and has been in the Affton School District for 24 years.
Jennifer Pickett, the Affton High School Teacher of the Year, is an English language arts teacher and has been in the Affton School District for seven years.