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Congratulations to the ISD Teachers of the Year!

Posted March 8, 2024

We are so incredibly proud to work alongside these outstanding individuals who embody the spirit and mission of the ISD. We deeply appreciate our students and our staff, and we are grateful for these talented, dedicated individuals.

Each district building/department selects their own Teacher of the Year. A panel of judges from the Independence community reads each of their stories and selects the District Teacher of the Year. All 29 of the honorees come together at a breakfast in celebration of their accomplishments, where the District Teacher of the Year is announced. 

2024-2025 Independence School District Teacher of the Year: Jim Oatman — Industrial Arts teacher at Van Horn High School

Abraham Mallinson Elementary School – Rebecca Cornish

Blackburn Elementary School – Titan Johnson

Bryant Elementary School – Brianna Bales

Cassell Park Elementary School – Annie Dudek

Christian Ott Elementary School – Megann Smith

Clifford H. Nowlin Middle School – Jaclyn Chastain

Fairmount Elementary School – Ashley Pitrof

George Caleb Bingham Middle School – Megan Minnis

Glendale Elementary School – Andrea Collins

Hanthorn – Erin Keller

Independence Academy – Rebecca Mace

James Bridger Middle School – Bannon Carney

John W. Luff Elementary School – Christa Corrie

Korte Elementary School – Mykala Shaver

Little Blue Elementary School – Shannon Floyd

Mill Creek Elementary School – Deanna Brown-Reith

Pioneer Ridge Middle School – Leigha Zank

Procter Elementary School – Cassie Barnes

Randall Elementary School – Oliva Rodriguez

Santa Fe Trail Elementary School – Liz Mueller

Spring Branch Elementary School – Kristin Saunders

Sugar Creek Elementary School – Jillian Beck

Sycamore Hills Elementary School – Ellen Reesman

Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School – Katherine Miller

Three Trails Elementary School – Lauren Miller

Truman High School – Samantha DeGraeve

Van Horn High School – Jim Oatman

William Chrisman High School – Amanda Smith

William Southern Elementary School – Katie Self