Cardinals Teacher of the Month: Kevin Zimmerman, Harrison Elementary School

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Springfield Cardinals and Missouri Lottery are proud to announce Kevin Zimmerman of Harrison Elementary School as our February Teacher of the Month.

Kevin has been an art teacher at Harrison Elementary since 2009 and was one of five finalists for the 2019-20 Springfield Public Schools Teacher of the Year award, where he described his views on his profession:

"Making connections is expressed in two ways for me, the personal, human connection that I develop with my students and the cross-curricular connection my art content makes with all other disciplines. When I say I 'teach' art, I really wish to say I teach a bit of everything. The more pathways the brain makes to a piece of information, the better the recall and the longer the information is held."

A St. Louis native, Kevin attended Drury University. Beyond the classroom, he leads an art club and a running club at Harrison Elementary that provide students with after-school activities and growth opportunities.

"Mr. Zimmerman is an amazing art teacher," one Teacher of the Year nominator wrote. "Students love coming to his class and look up to him as someone they would like to be when they grow up."

To show gratitude for their important contributions to the Southwest Missouri community, Kevin and each future Teacher of the Month will receive one Cardinals luxury suite rental, one ceremonial first pitch, recognition on the Cardinals video board and Cardinals caps for their group, all made possible by Missouri Lottery.

Created as a way to honor local-area educators from all grade levels, the Cardinals Teacher of the Month Award program, presented by Missouri Lottery, is an opportunity for the Southwest Missouri community to shine the spotlight on teachers who are making a difference in the lives of their students during these challenging times.

One hundred percent of Missouri Lottery profits are earmarked for education. In fact, since the Lottery began 35 years ago, it has generated more than $6.5 BILLION for the state and public education.

To nominate a teacher for Cardinals Teacher of the Month, you can visit www.springfieldcardinals.com/molotteryteachers today.