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Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award

2024 Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award winners
2024 Winners

From left: Julie Dunkelberger, East; Ashley Welsh, Harry Street; Matt Miller, Truesdell; Whitney Steele, Allen; Jeff Arellano, Woodland; Emmy Bramble, Beech; Sam Belsan, Coleman and Jessica Petrik, Education Imagine Academy.

 

The Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award program recognizes outstanding teachers who affect the quality of education in the Wichita Public Schools. It is the highest award bestowed by the district on its teaching staff.

2023 Distinguished Classroom Teacher winners

From left: Jaime Lansang, Mario Flores, Patrick Loganbill, Maribel Benedict, Erik Stone and Kristina Matthaei. Not pictured: Stacy Chestnut and Kiara Suarez-Sosa.

Distinguished Classroom Teachers 2022

From left: Megan Campbell, Abbi Faflick, Sue Ake, Sue Puetz, James Quillen, Jennifer Pollard, Kimberlee Hughes, and Joanna Farmer

Photo of Distinguished Classroom Teacher Honorees 2021

From left: Kelsey Potter, Heather Manganiello, Mike Williams, Kelli Phimsiprasom, Jonathan Belsan, Crystal Firestone, Courtney Maddux and Alexandra Stamps.

DCTA honorees 2020

Back row: Denise Van Horn, Leigh Kasper, Sam Belsan, Darham Rogers and Afton Miller

Front row: Tiffany Peterson, Lisa Reeb and Catherine Busick.

Each year, awards are given in eight different categories - new teacher (elementary), new teacher (secondary), primary (Pre-K through 2), intermediate (3 through 5), middle school, high school, support (elementary) and support (secondary) teachers.

A selection committee made up of teachers, school and district-level administrators, the executive directors of elementary and secondary schools and a member of the United Teachers of Wichita reviews the nominations and makes the final selections.

The award recipients are recognized by the Board of Education and each receives a crystal award and $20 in PTR Bucks to be used at Parent Teacher Resources. Their schools also receive a commemorative banner featuring their award-winning teacher.

How to Nominate

Each year, Wichita Public Schools celebrates excellence by awarding the DCTA to eight outstanding certified staff members across the following categories:

  • New Teacher of the Year – Elementary (PreK-5)
  • New Teacher of the Year – Secondary (6-12)
  • Teacher of the Year – Primary (PreK-2)
  • Teacher of the Year – Intermediate (3-5)
  • Teacher of the Year – Middle School (6-8)
  • Teacher of the Year – High School (9-12) 
  • Certified Support Staff of the Year – Elementary (PreK-5)
  • Certified Support Staff of the Year – Secondary (6-12)

DCTA Winners