Mehlville Senior High School art teacher Jan Brander-Kinnison is one of just 100 area educators to receive the prestigious 2007 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award.

Mehlville High Assistant Principal Alicia Landers nominated Brander-Kinnison for the honor. Landers cited Brander-Kinnison’s passion and commitment to students as the reasons for earning the award, according to a district news release.

“Mrs. Brander-Kinnison is not only developing skilled artists, she is also preparing them for life. Her quiet, respectful and engaging teaching style has her students hooked and eager to participate and to produce extraordinary examples of fine art,” Landers wrote in her nomination letter.

Brander-Kinnison, a 15-year teaching veteran, also is an accomplished artist.

She has created wax figures for the Movieland Wax Museum and the Page Museum in California. Brander-Kinnison stays current as an artist by entering national juried shows.

As an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award winner Brander-Kinnison was presented with a crystal apple during a ceremony at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Clayton.