Affton High School English Language Arts teacher Brian Jennings is a 2025 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.
Mr. Jennings is among 108 teachers from across the St. Louis metropolitan area who are being recognized this year through the Emerson program as examples of truly outstanding educational excellence. The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards, now in its 36th year, is one of the St. Louis region’s most established teacher recognition programs, helping the St. Louis region show gratitude to educators who go above and beyond for their students and school communities.
Mr. Jennings was named the 2025-26 Affton Teacher of the Year in May and has spent his entire 25-year teaching career at Affton High School, where he has consistently pushed boundaries to connect learning to the world beyond the classroom. A dual-credit instructor through Saint Louis University, he designed and teaches the only high school-level Bosnian American Studies course in the country. His work has helped students amplify their voices through partnerships with community leaders, national organizations, and local media outlets.
Mr. Jennings was featured in the November/December St. Louis Magazine, along with the other Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award honorees.