Chemistry Teacher Named Regional Teacher of the Year Finalist

Dr. Brad Miller, a chemistry teacher at Kearney High School and the 2026 Kearney School District Teacher of the Year, has been named a finalist in the Kansas City Regional Teacher of the Year selection process.

The honor places Dr. Miller among a standout group of educators from across the Kansas City region. After reviewing and scoring applications from outstanding teachers throughout the area, the regional selection committee selected six Regional Teachers of the Year and specifically recognized Dr. Miller as a finalist in what was described as an extraordinarily strong field.

Dr. Miller exemplifies those qualities through 17 years of service in public education, including the past seven years at Kearney High School. Known for pairing high expectations with humor, patience and steady encouragement, he helps students see that struggling with challenging material is not a failure, but an important part of learning and discovering what they are capable of accomplishing.

“Brad is the rare teacher who raises the bar while making students feel capable of reaching it,” KHS Principal Dr. Andy Gustafson said.

His impact extends well beyond the chemistry classroom. Dr. Miller regularly tutors students after school, creates engaging learning experiences such as his Chemist of the Year Bracket and helped spearhead the KHS Day of Service. This year, more than 400 students took part in 27 service projects benefiting organizations and neighbors throughout the community.

Dr. Miller will be honored during the Kansas City Regional Teacher of the Year celebration luncheon on July 15. He has also been invited to participate in Teacher Academy, an individualized professional learning experience that gives excellent teachers opportunities to collaborate, strengthen their instructional practices and explore ideas and challenges that matter deeply to them.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.