School District Awards Honor Top Teachers and Support Staff

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Kearney School District is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Team KSD Awards, recognizing 17 exceptional individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their roles.

The Team KSD Awards recognize employees who exemplify the world-class teaching and learning and support work that happens every school day in our classrooms and on our campuses. They have demonstrated a long-term commitment to Kearney School District, are outstanding professionals, support their students and colleagues, and are serious about serving our community.

"I don't think it's a big secret that the single most important part of KSD is our team. Their commitment to excellence from pre-K through graduation is why we consistently produce great results," Superintendent Emily Miller said. "This year's Team KSD Awards winners are truly the best of the best. I am so proud of each of them and grateful for their contributions. I encourage our entire community to join us in celebrating these extraordinary Bulldogs!"

The award selection process started in January when the district invited staff members to nominate deserving candidates for their school's 2024 Teacher and Support Staff of the Year awards. One certified teacher and one support staff member were selected as this year's recipients from each school within the district.

These individuals embody the core values of Kearney School District, including integrity, respect, future readiness, student focus, and resilience. They serve as role models for our entire community.

2025 School Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

  • Early Education Center – Holly Anderson

  • Dogwood Elementary – Nicholas "Nic" Mattson

  • Hawthorne Elementary – Chelsea Miller

  • Kearney Elementary – Nanette Stout

  • Southview Elementary – Rachel Terrill

  • Kearney Middle School – Lauren Thomas

  • Kearney Junior High – Molly Kuebler

  • Kearney High School – Kassidy Robertson

2025 School Support Staff of the Year Award Recipients

  • Early Education Center – Donna Lance

  • Dogwood Elementary – Ashley Bricker

  • Hawthorne Elementary – Theodore "Scott" Henrichs

  • Kearney Elementary – Kalie Dickson

  • Southview Elementary – Jaclyn "Jaci" Mick

  • Kearney Middle School – Brian "B.J." Webster

  • Kearney Junior High – Jennifer Duncan

  • Kearney High School – Lacy Howdeshell

  • KSD Central Office – Stacy Holtzclaw

These honorees will be recognized at the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Excellence in Education Awards Banquet on April 23. All Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year award recipients will be celebrated by the district along with our 2025 retirees during the Team KSD Awards and Retiree Reception on May 1. That is when the district’s Teacher of the Year Award and Support Staff of the Year Award recipients will be revealed, along with KSD's 2025 Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award recipients.

The reception is sponsored by the KSD Education Foundation. The district Teacher of the Year Award recipient will be given a $250 cash award and $750 classroom grant from the foundation, which will also give a $250 cash award and $250 classroom grant to the district Support Staff of the Year Award recipient.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.