Bryant Elementary Teacher Named ISD 2015-16 Teacher of the Year
Katie Marquart, fourth-grade teacher at Bryant Elementary School, was named the Independence School District’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year during the district’s annual Teacher of the Year Breakfast March 12. Marquart was selected by a panel of judges from the Independence community and introduced by 2014-15 ISD Teacher of the Year John Vickers. Marquart has been teaching in the district for four years- all four at Bryant.
“She’s intelligent, she’s a great teacher and her students love her,” said Dr. Jon Pye, Bryant principal.
“To be so young, and so profoundly talented as a teacher, is a gift to the ISD,” said Stephanie Vickers, Bryant second-grade teacher. Vickers nominated Marquart for Teacher of the Year honors.
Outside the classroom, Marquart and fellow Bryant fourth-grade teacher Ashtin Byrd created the school’s Girls on the Run program to build self-esteem and enhance character development. “Katie empowers young women at Bryant as both a role model and a mentor,” Pye said. “She inspires young woman to succeed in life.”
Marquart said this was a day she’ll never forget.
“I am still trying to wrap my head around this,” she said. “I went into this looking forward to being honored along with many amazing teachers. I had no idea I would receive the great honor of being Independence School District’s Teacher of the Year!”
Each ISD school recognized their building’s teacher of the year during the ceremony. Here is a complete list of honorees.
Jennifer Carrico, Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School
Rachel Otto, Bingham Middle School
Marilyn Gunn, Blackburn Elementary School
Samantha DeGraeve, Bridger Middle School
Katie Marquart, Bryant Elementary School
Jeremy Moreland, William Chrisman High School
Jo Anne Reed, Fairmount Elementary School
LaTisha Ortiz, Glendale Elementary School
Anne Bledsoe, Hanthorn Early Education Center
Candace Price, Independence Academy
Jim Myrick, Korte Elementary School
Kelly Conner, Little Blue Elementary School
Lynette Roberts, Luff Elementary School
Lindsey Jenkins, Mallinson Elementary School
Amy Harles, Mill Creek Elementary School
Amie Hefta, Nowlin Middle School
Tiffany Matthews, Christian Ott Elementary School
David Nowak, Pioneer Ridge Middle School
Lori Williams, Procter Elementary School
Nicholas Younts, Randall Elementary School
Roberta Wright, Santa Fe Trail Elementary School
Tammy Baumgartner, William Southern Elementary School
Janelle Ewigman, Spring Branch Elementary School
Chrissy Durham, Sugar Creek Elementary School
Melissa Glasco, Sycamore Hills Elementary School
Shanna Campbell, Three Trails Elementary School
Joel Sapp, Truman High School
Michael Byrd, Van Horn High School