Kearney, Mo., March 10, 2025: Kearney School District is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Team KSD Awards, recognizing 18 exceptional individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their roles.

The Team KSD Awards recognize employees who exemplify the world-class teaching and learning and support work that happens every school day in our classrooms and on our campuses. They have demonstrated a long-term commitment to Kearney School District, are outstanding professionals, support their students and colleagues, and are serious about serving our community.

“I don’t think it’s a big secret that the single most important part of KSD is our team. Their commitment to excellence from pre-K through graduation is why we consistently produce great results,” Superintendent Emily Miller said. “This year’s Team KSD Awards winners are truly the best of the best. I am so proud of each of them and grateful for their contributions. I encourage our entire community to join us in celebrating these extraordinary Bulldogs!”

The award selection process started in January when KSD invited staff members to nominate deserving candidates for their school’s 2024 Teacher and Support Staff of the Year awards. One certified teacher and one support staff member were selected as this year’s recipients from each school within the district. 

These individuals embody the core values of KSD, including integrity, respect, future readiness, student focus, and resilience. They serve as role models for our entire community.

2025 School Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Holly Anderson
• Dogwood Elementary – Nicholas “Nic” Mattson
• Hawthorne Elementary – Chelsea Miller
• Kearney Elementary – Nanette Stout
• Southview Elementary – Rachel Terrill
• Kearney Middle School – Lauren Thomas
• Kearney Junior High – Molly Kuebler
• Kearney High School – Kassidy Robertson

2025 School Support Staff of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Donna Lance
• Dogwood Elementary – Ashley Bricker
• Hawthorne Elementary – Theodore “Scott” Henrichs
• Kearney Elementary – Kalie Dickson
• Southview Elementary – Jaclyn “Jaci” Mick
• Kearney Middle School – Brian “B.J.” Webster
• Kearney Junior High – Jennifer Duncan
• Kearney High School – Lacy Howdeshell
• KSD Central Office – Stacy Holtzclaw

These honorees will be recognized at the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Excellence in Education Awards Banquet on April 23. All of our school Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year award recipients will be celebrated by the district along with our 2025 retirees during the Team KSD Awards and Retiree Reception on May 1. That is when KSD’s district Teacher of the Year Award and Support Staff of the Year Award recipients will be revealed, along with KSD’s 2025 Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award recipients.

The reception is sponsored by the KSD Education Foundation. The district Teacher of the Year Award recipient will be given a $250 cash award and $750 classroom grant from the foundation, which will also give a $250 cash award and $250 classroom grant to the district Support Staff of the Year Award recipient.

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Kearney, Mo., February 23, 2024: It’s time to shine the spotlight on the outstanding members of our Bulldog family!

Kearney School District is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024 Team KSD Awards, recognizing 19 exceptional individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their roles.

“These remarkable individuals exemplify the dedication and commitment that define our district’s ethos,” stated Superintendent Emily Miller. “Their contributions are invaluable, and we are proud to honor them for their service to our community.”

The award selection process started in January when KSD invited parents/guardians, staff, students, and community members to nominate deserving candidates for their school’s 2024 Teacher and Support Staff of the Year awards. Eligible nominees in the teacher category included classroom teachers, special needs educators, art and music instructors, guidance counselors, librarians, instructional coaches, and physical education instructors. In the support staff category, nominees could include principals, assistant principals, administrative personnel, food service staff, bus drivers, nurses, custodians, and resource officers.

One certified teacher and one support staff member were selected as this year’s recipients from each school within the district. These individuals embody the core values of KSD, including integrity, respect, future readiness, student focus, and resilience. They serve as role models for our entire community.

2024 School Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Mary Watkins
• Dogwood Elementary – Chanda Murphy
• Hawthorne Elementary – Stacy Sullivan
• Kearney Elementary – Shannan Ashcroft
• LENS – Shelly Dunn
• Southview Elementary – Emilie White
• Kearney Middle School – Ann Marzette
• Kearney Junior High – Amy Whitener
• Kearney High School – Brittini Starzl

2024 School Support Staff of the Year Award Recipients

• Early Education Center – Wesley Cartwright
• Dogwood Elementary – Elvia Digirolamo
• Hawthorne Elementary – Britney Smith
• Kearney Elementary – Leslie Pilar
• LENS – Nikki Foote
• Southview Elementary – Carl Stenger
• Kearney Middle School – Elvis Rodriguez
• Kearney Junior High – Kim Goepferich
• Kearney High School – Hue Marsh
• KSD Central Office – Rick Davitt

These honorees will be recognized at the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Excellence in Education Awards Banquet on May 1. They will also be nominated for our district Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year awards, which will be announced in the spring along with KSD’s 2024 Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award recipients.

The district Teacher of the Year Award recipient will be given a $250 cash award and $750 classroom grant from the KSD Education Foundation, which will also give a $250 cash award and $250 classroom grant to the district Support Staff of the Year Award recipient.

All of our school Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year award recipients will be celebrated by the district along with our 2024 retirees during the Team KSD Award and Retiree Recognition in April.

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