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(AP) -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- An English teacher in suburban St. Louis has won the state's highest teaching honor.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has named Cathy Cartier the Missouri Teacher of the Year for 2012-2013. The Affton High School teacher will be honored Oct. 15 at a banquet in Jefferson City, along with the five finalists.

Cartier began teaching after earning a degree in psychology, embarking on a career in social work, marrying and starting a family.

She wanted to make sure her children were getting the best education possible, so she began substitute teaching to check out the school her children attended.

Cartier will represent Missouri in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

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