Teacher of the Year

2024 District Teacher of the Year

24-25 Timeline

May 24
Nominations OPEN

August 21
Deadline for Nominations

August 23
Deadline for Resume Submission

August 26
Electronic Distribution of Nominees' Resume & Anonymous Statements of Support

August 26 - 30
Building Endorsements

September 5
Selection Committee Meeting

September 6
Announcement of USD 490 Teacher of the Year

2024 USD 490 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

— NOMINATIONS DUE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024 —

Description of Award

Annually, district parents, patrons, and staff are asked to nominate an El Dorado Public Schools classroom teacher to be recognized as the USD 490 Teacher of the Year.

At that time, nominees will be asked to confirm their place on the ballot by submitting a brief professional resumé within the following week.  Resumes will be distributed electronically to all district certified staff that will, by a method determined in each building, indicate which nominee is to receive endorsement at the District Recognition Selection Committee meeting.  If the building representative is a nominee the Superintendent will appoint an alternate staff representative. 

The District Recognition Selection Committee will select the USD 490 Teacher of the Year.  The award will be announced in time for them to be the district representative for the Kansas Teacher of the Year and Kansas Master Teacher awards.

The District Teacher of the Year will then select a committee of three (3) colleagues to provide support in the nomination processes for the Kansas Master Teacher and Kansas Teacher of the Year awards.  The Director of Community Engagement and Recruitment will work with the support committee and the District Teacher of the Year in the development and submission of formal nomination materials.  They will be provided with a half-day release time to work collaboratively; as well as complimentary tickets and transportation to any recognition banquets supporting the District Teacher of the Year as a nominee for these two statewide recognitions.

Qualifications:

1.    The nominee must have at least seven (7) years teaching experience.

2.    The nominee must be a full-time regular or special education certified staff member employed in the El Dorado Public Schools and planning to continue in active teaching status.

3.    The nominee must be a classroom teacher. (A classroom teacher is defined as a teacher who has a group(s) of students for whom he/she is responsible. The teacher’s current responsibilities should include—assessment of students including the assignment of grades; preparation of lesson plans; parent-teacher conferences; discipline; and day-to-day functioning of class(es) including duties such as attendance, lunch count, lunch and recess duty, etc.)

4.    The teacher should be exceptionally skilled, dedicated and inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.

5.    The candidate should have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues and should play an active and constructive role in the community as well as in the school.

6.    The award carries with it a number of public appearances; therefore, the nominee should be poised, articulate and possess the energy to withstand a busy schedule advocating for public education.

7.    The nominee should be committed to fostering school improvement initiatives in Kansas.

8.    The nominee must demonstrate a sincere interest and involvement in professional organizations.

9.    The nominee must agree to complete submissions to the Kansas Master Teacher and Kansas Teacher of the Year competitions as a representative of USD 490 teaching staff.

10.   Teachers who have previously received recognition are not eligible for nomination (see names below).

Nominators may be parents/patrons or members of the USD 490 staff.
Self-nominations are not accepted.

The nominating statement will be duplicated and submitted for staff and selection committee consideration in an anonymous format (nominator name removed.) 


USD 490 Master Teachers: Sharon Bell (1996), Pat Cost (1997), Susan Appleman (1998), Karen Kinder (1999), Glenda Fleener (2000), Jeanne Evans (2001), Jan Prather (2002), Trey Harrison (2003); Rod Luehrs (2004); Tammy Fellers (2005), Tonya Cogan (2006), Russell Baker (2007), Judy Slayton (2008); Gina Meyer (2009), Dave Herrs (2010); Steve Appleman (2011); Rod Luehrs (2012)

Kansas Master Teachers: Holly Bright (2020) Connie Allmond (2018); Kori Green (2015); Carla Varner (2014); Jan Prather (2002), Jeanne Evans (2001), Jim Gardner (1990), Helen Wagner (1991), Joy Wigginton (1968), Helen Case (1971), Marie Hieger (1973).

Previous Teachers of the Year: 2023- Dawn Rush/Jessica Denner; 2022-Jelinda Keeling; 2020-Holly Bright; 2019- Denise Johnson; 2018 – Connie Allmond; 2017-Kent Kunkel; 2016-Kevin Monroe; 2015-Kori Green; 2014-Carla Varner; 2013-Martin Munoz; 2013-Todd Miller; 2012-Shelly Hill/Dustin Dooley; 2011-Keri Hadley/LuAnne Vides; 2010-Michelle Neuschafer/Kirstie Towner; 2009-Mary Good/Tammy Fellers; 2008-Misty Pope/Dorothy Beer; 2007-Janet Baker/Pat Fellers; 2006-Jim Shum/Ashlie Barth; 2005-Tonya Cogan/Heather Fangmann; 2004-Rod Luehrs; 2003-Trey Harrison; 2002-Jan Prather/Jane Simms; 2001-Jeanne Evans/Earl Legleiter; 2000-Jill Buettgenbach; 1999-Sharon Stoskopf/Glenda Fleener; 1998-Susan Appleman/Linda Evenson; 1997-Karen Kinder/René Alonzo; 1996-Art Torrez/Pat Cost; 1995-Sharon Bell/Audrey Kallenberger; 1994-Carol Fox/Susan Zieman..

2024-25 District Recognition Selection Committee:  Jenifer Davis (Sup.), Heath Henderson (Elem. Admin./SE), Dylan Richardson (Sec. Admin.), Tonya Cogan (ENEA), Carla Varner (BE), Melissa Headley (GE/SPED), Rod Luehrs (EMS), Kevin Monroe (EHS), Lucinda Hutchins (Classified), TBD (KS Horizon Nominee), Dawn Rush (DTOY), Jessica Denner (DTOY)