Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced that high school technology and engineering teacher Tim Schnoeker  has been named the Peabody/Logos Leaders in Education "Educator of the Year." Mr. Schnoeker was recognized Tuesday night at a celebration that included the governor and 200-plus attendees.

Mr. Schnoeker was selected from 21 outstanding honorees from the first year of the Leaders in Education program, a first-of-a-kind partnership created by Peabody Energy and Logos School to honor excellent educators and mentors across the greater St. Louis area. Peabody has pledged $450,000 over three years to support the program and benefit the mission of Logos School.

"Mr. Schnoeker instills in his students the importance of giving back. He goes beyond teaching skilled trades; he inspires responsible citizens who give to support their communities," said Gregory H. Boyce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Peabody Energy. "Peabody and Logos School created the Leaders in Education program to give outstanding teachers like Tim Schnoeker the recognition they deserve."

Under Mr. Schnoeker's direction, Coulterville, Ill., students have rebuilt housing in hurricane-ravaged Mississippi. They have constructed and donated a playhouse to the Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization that protects the rights of children in foster care; and they have designed and built a handicap-accessible driveway and ramp at a Highland, Ill., group home for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Annually, his students conduct a Thanksgiving food drive, prepare a breakfast to support a Christmas charity event for children and prepare Easter baskets for Coulterville senior citizens.

The Peabody/Logos Leaders in Education honor is the first award in the region to be open to all applicants regardless of subject, grade or school. Any employee at an area Missouri or Illinois public, charter or private school serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 can qualify. Winners may range from veteran teachers to individuals in non-traditional mentoring roles like school administrators, substitute teachers or other staff members.

The program was designed to be inclusive and consistent with the mission of Logos School, said Head of Logos School Kathy Boyd Fenger. "At Logos, we have a saying: 'Differences are what we have in common.' The Leaders in Education program celebrates the varied ways adults mentor children," said Fenger. "We believe there is no more powerful reminder of the importance of education than the first-hand accounts of young people who have fulfilled long-held dreams at Logos because an adult inspired them. We also hope this program will help inspire adults."

A committee of top educators and business people select the Leaders in Education honorees weekly from nominations made by the community; winners are honored with a $1,000 grant and local radio recognition. These winners were named during the past year:

• Marleisa Amsden – Brennan Woods Elementary, High Ridge, Mo.
• Kathy Bargeon – Francis Howell School District, St. Charles, Mo.
• Ann Bolzenius – Notre Dame High School, St. Louis, Mo.
• Paula Brake – Russell Elementary School, Hazelwood, Mo.
• Robert Canada – Columbus Elementary School, Edwardsville, Ill.
• Sally Cook – Andrews Academy, Lake St. Louis, Mo.
• Janice Crowe – City Academy, North St. Louis, Mo.
• Michelle Elliott – Central School, O'Fallon, Ill.
• Robert Evans – St. Louis University High School, St. Louis, Mo.
• Nikki Foristel-Weiss – Delmar Harvard Elementary School, University City, Mo.
• Lamar Harris – Crossroads College Preparatory School, St. Louis, Mo.
• Heidi Hays – Barat Academy, St. Charles County, Mo.
• Mary Karban – Henry Raab School, Belleville, Ill.
• Beth Lappe – Trinity Catholic High School, Spanish Lake, Mo.
• Jennifer Lara – O'Fallon Township High School, Ill.
• Eleanna Liscombe – Harvest Ridge Elementary School, St. Charles County, Mo.
• Matthew Noyes – C.A. Henning Elementary School, Troy, Ill.
• Kathy Piner – Mascoutah High School, Ill.
• Margaret Presley – Stevens Middle School, St. Louis, Mo.
• Tim Schnoeker – Coulterville High School, Ill.
• Shiree Yeggins-Campbell – Webster Groves High School, Mo.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:  BTU) is the world's largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in clean coal solutions. With 2009 sales of 244 million tons and $6 billion in revenues, Peabody fuels 10 percent of U.S. power and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.