Rockwood Educators Earn 'Key to the Classroom' Recognition from Special School District

Three Rockwood School District educators - Ballwin Elementary special education teacher Jenna Kovarik, Crestview Middle special education teacher Kelly Morrow and Rockwood South and Selvidge special education teacher Kelly Perrine - are among 10 recipients of this year's Key to the Classroom award from the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County.

The Key to the Classroom award honors classroom teachers for their exceptional skill, dedication and learning success with students. The qualities sought in teachers for this award reflect those required for Missouri Teacher of the Year. These teachers are often the key to learning for their students and are resourceful in finding ways to reach students of all abilities and backgrounds.

Key to the Classroom recipients are also under consideration for the SSD Teacher of the Year award.

Learn more about these outstanding educators.

Jenna Kovarik, Ballwin

"Jenna Kovarik creates a classroom where learning is active, functional and intentionally designed to meet students where they are. Through initiatives like the Bear Bites student-operated snack cart, she provides real-world opportunities for students to practice academic, communication and life skills such as taking orders, handling money and managing inventory. Jennifer adapts instruction for diverse learners using multi-leveled curriculum, individualized communication supports and hands-on strategies that ensure every student can participate meaningfully. Her focus on independence and self-advocacy is evident in practices like individualized work binders and systems that allow students to request support while maintaining dignity and autonomy. She integrates data-driven tools and performance-based tracking to maintain high expectations while honoring different learning pathways. Through strong collaboration with families, colleagues and community partners, Jenna builds an inclusive environment that supports growth, confidence and meaningful student progress." - nominated by Jennifer Paris, special education instructional coach

Kelly Morrow, Crestview

"Kelly Morrow creates meaningful, student-centered learning experiences that help learners build confidence, independence and academic ownership. In her resource classroom, she designs instruction that connects literature, organization and real-life skills, guiding students through book studies that encourage reflection, discussion and personal connection. Kelly explicitly teaches executive functioning skills, including the use of planners and digital tools, so students can manage assignments, schedules and transitions with increasing independence. Her instruction is carefully adapted through scaffolding, flexible grouping and individualized supports, ensuring students can access grade-level content while developing essential skills. By maintaining high expectations and celebrating growth and effort, she motivates students to persist and take academic risks. Kelly’s collaborative relationships with families and colleagues, along with her leadership through school teams and afterschool programs, strengthen outcomes for students well beyond her classroom." - nominated by Sharon Morales, special education teacher

Kelly Perrine, Rockwood South and Selvidge

"Kelly Perrine creates learning environments where students feel safe, supported and ready to engage before academic demands are ever placed on them. As an Empower teacher, she intentionally builds readiness through proactive supports, including need-based drop-in services, calm spaces and instruction in self-regulation and coping strategies that allow students to reset and rejoin their classrooms without losing instructional time. Her use of nonverbal strategies such as proximity and visual cues establishes predictability and prevents escalation while maintaining dignity and focus. Kelly explicitly teaches social problem-solving and replacement behaviors using evidence-based practices, helping students learn how to communicate needs, make choices and regulate emotions independently. She is also a trusted consultative leader, supporting teachers, families and teams through behavior planning, parent resources and collaboration with outside agencies. As a lead member of the Crisis Intervention Team, Kelly’s calm, skilled leadership ensures student safety while modeling practices that build long-term independence and confidence." - nominated by Jennifer Paris, special education instructional coach