Teachers, schools recognized for student achievement for fall 2025

Wichita Public Schools recently recognized six 3rd grade teachers and three middle schools whose students have improved greatly in 3rd grade reading and 8th grade math based on results on fall to winter screeners. Scores on those two screeners are interim goals of the Strategic Plan. 

There were recognized at the March 3 Board of Education meeting.

Ashton Palmore, Christa McAuliffe Academy
From fall to winter, moved 3rd grade students out of risk on the aReading Screener which accesses broad reading ability and predicts overall reading achievement. 

Ashton's students succeed because she knows exactly where they’re at and tailors her instruction to meet their needs. Her classroom is welcoming while still maintaining high standards for her students, but, more importantly, she has the highest standards set for herself.

Melinda Brown, McCollom Elementary
From fall to winter, moved 3rd grade students out of risk on the aReading Screener which accesses broad reading ability and predicts overall reading achievement.

Melinda's success can be credited to her intentional efforts to create a class community where she holds all students to high expectations. When you walk into her room, you can feel the structure she has created while also maintaining an atmosphere that makes learning fun. She ensures each student receives appropriate and differentiated instruction that promotes ambitious growth.

Ashley Cowley Dean & Melissa Grier, OK Elementary School
From fall to winter, moved 3rd grade students out of risk on the aReading Screener which accesses broad reading ability and predicts overall reading achievement.

The Fastbridge growth accomplished by Ms. Cowley Dean’s 3rd graders is a result of her dedication, patience and unwavering belief in her students’ potential. She’s created an environment where learning is both challenging and rewarding and her ability to identify individual needs and provide tailored strategies for improvement was instrumental in helping raise test scores. 

Melissa Grier served as a long-term substitute during Cowley Dean’s maternity leave, picking up where Cowley Dean left off. 

Deb Clark, Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary
From fall to winter, had a high percentage of students showing ambitious growth on the CBMR screener which accesses students’ oral reading fluency and accuracy, helping to catch reading difficulties.

This year, 3rd grade students have achieved exceptional growth setting new records compared to past years in Deb’s class and this success is largely due to her efforts. Her classroom is characterized by consistent expectations and structure. Her patient and kind demeanor, along with her innate ability to connect, ensures that every student feels valued which supports their remarkable academic progress.

Kary Pierce, Earhart Environmental Magnet Elementary School
From fall to winter, had a high percentage of students showing ambitious growth on the CBMR screener which accesses students’ oral reading fluency and accuracy, helping to catch reading difficulties.

Kary is a future leader in our district. She’s consistent and chooses not to settle for complacency in her students. She pushes students to stay engaged and utilizes the Earhart magnet theme to enhance learning. She knows where they are academically and is able to share details with her colleagues as they all work to improve 3rd grade results at Earhart.

Maria Magdaleno, Washington Accelerated Learning Elementary School
Had the most 3rd grade students showing ambitious growth on the aReading Screener which accesses broad reading ability and predicts overall reading achievement.

Maria is a newcomer teacher at Washington Elementary who sets very high expectations for her students and she takes her own experiences as a newcomer herself from Mexico and applies this to her student learning. She sets goals to integrate her students into the regular education classroom from the onset. With her previous experience as a regular education classroom teacher, she is a pro at bridging both decoding and comprehension for student success.

The following are the top three WPS middle schools that moved the most students from the risk category to coring above the benchmark in the aMath screener, which measures broad mathematics skills, identifies students in need of additional instruction, and predicts performance on state accountability measures.

Wells Alternative Middle School
7.7% improvement 
Wells has made an intentional effort to increase their focus on academic success for students and helping students believe in their ability to succeed.

Mead Middle School
9.9% improvement
Mead Middle School teachers have worked to focus core and intervention supports to align instruction to meet the needs of their students and work as a team while also welcoming a large number of new students to their building this year. 

Education Imagine Academy
14.3% improvement
Education Imagine Academy has sought to intentionally support each student where they are at even though that can be challenging in the virtual environment. Their staff seeks to engage students regularly which can look quite different in the virtual setting.