2025 Distinguished Classroom Teachers announced

The Wichita Public Schools is proud to announce the 2025 Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award recipients in their respective categories. The recipients were surprised in their classrooms by BOE members, district leadership, members of the selection committee and family members.
 
Click here to see the surprise visits.  
 
The Distinguished Classroom Teacher Awards program honors outstanding teachers who affect the quality of education in the Wichita Public Schools.

Bill Nester-Brown, fourth-grade teacher, Black Traditional Magnet Elementary School – New Teacher, Elementary
Runner up: Deborah Montgomery, third-grade teacher, Kensler Elementary School

Laura Araiza, business teacher, North High School – New Teacher, Secondary category
Runner up: Mikayla Taylor, math teacher at Brooks Center For STEM and Arts Magnet Middle School

Kristen Harris, first-grade teacher, Ortiz Elementary School – Primary (Grades Pre-K – 2) category
Runner up: Heather Breslin, kindergarten teacher, Riverside Leadership Magnet Elementary School

Michele Page, fourth-grade teacher, Lawrence Elementary School– Intermediate (Grades 3 – 5) category
Runner up: Gianna Grant, third-grade teacher, Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary School

Jennifer Kirk, band director, Christa McAuliffe Academy – Middle School category
Runner up: Marianne Olson, math teacher, Pleasant Valley Middle School

Erin Matlock, English teacher, South High School – High School category
Runner up: Samantha Souriya, ESOL and Newcomers teacher, Southeasat High School

Tish Freund-Habbart, curriculum coach, Alvin E. Morris Administrative Center – Support Teacher, Elementary category
Runner up: Braden Mayes, psychologist, Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary School

Brooke Johnson, instructional coach, East High School – Support Teacher, Secondary category
Runner up: Laura Almquist-Parks, psychologist, Coleman Environmental Magnet Middle School
 
Peers, building administrators, parents and/or students have nominated each of the recipients. A committee consisting of principals, assistant principals, teachers, support staff, the assistant superintendents of elementary and secondary schools and a member of United Teachers of Wichita selects the final recipients.
 
To view prior years’ recipients, click here.
 
The Distinguished Classroom Teachers will be recognized at the April 7 BOE meeting.