Congratulations to the ISD Teachers of the Year!
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
