The Kansas Teacher of the Year program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, identifies, recognizes and utilizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. 

2024-25 Nominees
• Christa Grider, Seitz Elementary Kindergarten Teacher 
• Michelle Irvine, Fort Riley Middle School Special Education Teacher 

Emporia State University established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1954. The awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession long and well and who also typify the good qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers. 

2024-25 Nominees
• Stephanie Sowell, Westwood Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
• Mary McConnell, Fort Riley Middle School Sixth Grade Teacher

Previous USD 475 Master Teacher Honorees 
1961 - Jane E. Roether (Junction City)
1988 - Bonnie Weingart (Fort Riley)
1989 - Ada Ligia R. Paquette (Junction City)
1992 - Beth Bergsten (Junction City)
2007 - Angela Miller (Junction City)
2012 - Jodi Testa (Junction City)
2017 - Joan Hayden (Geary County)
2022 - Bryan Scruggs (Geary County)
2023 - Melissa Hall (Geary County)
2024 - Jennifer Fallin (Geary County)

The Kansas Horizon Award program identifies and recognizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. The mission of the program is to recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.

USD 475 has received seven Horizon Awards since 2010.

2024-25 Kansas Horizon Award Honorees
The Kansas State Department of Education announced that Spring Valley Elementary USD 475 first grade teacher Denise Acosta and Junction City High School USD 475 audio and video teacher Easton Lager were both named 2024-25 Kansas Horizon Award honorees.

It was truly a special morning on Monday for Acosta and Lager as they were both notified that they were being honored with the prestigious award by receiving a surprise phone call from Dr. Randy Watson, KSDE Commissioner of Education.

By being chosen Kansas Horizon Award honorees, Acosta and Lager become the first USD 475 teachers chosen for the award since 2019. In all, USD 475 has now had 20 recipients be named Kansas Horizon Award honorees in its history.

The Kansas Horizon Award Program identifies and recognizes representatives of excellent teaching in classrooms across the state. The mission of the program is to recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.

A total of 32 teachers, four elementary classroom teachers and four secondary classroom teachers from each region, from throughout the state of Kansas will be honored with the award in 2024-25. Acosta and Lager will join 30 other teachers and be recognized at a special luncheon during the 2025 Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN) Conference, which is scheduled for Feb. 20-21, 2025.

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Geary County Schools student and staff accomplishments demonstrate the positive and diverse learning and work environment provided in USD 475.

USD 475 has earned recognition from the Kansas State Department of Education in the following areas: Individual Plans of Study and Civic Engagement.

USD 475 earned a Silver Star in Civic Engagement with the addition of individual school recognitions. The district was also honored with a Bronze Star for its Individual Plans of Study. By earning a Bronze Star, USD 475 is recognized as a school district that offers quality and inclusive opportunities for each student to experience connected learning which develops academic knowledge as well as technical and employability skills.

Overall, the district currently holds a Silver Star in Civic Engagement as well as a Bronze Star in Individual Plans of Study, Social Emotional Growth and Kindergarten Readiness. USD 475 also has a Copper Star in Academically Prepared for Postsecondary Success.

In addition, USD 475 had four schools, Eisenhower Elementary, Seitz Elementary, Washington Elementary and Westwood Elementary earn the Civic Advocacy Network Award for their commitment to civic engagement for students. KSDE will be recognizing the quartet during state webinars, while also sending a banner to display in their schools.

In all, the district has had a total of 12 schools be recognized in the last two years in civic engagement at the state level, which includes Junction City High School USD 475, Junction City Middle School USD 475, Fort Riley Middle School USD 475, Fort Riley Elementary USD 475, Lincoln Elementary USD 475, Milford Elementary USD 475, Spring Valley Elementary USD 475 and Ware Elementary USD 475. 

In addition, Washington Elementary's Jennifer Fallin became the third-straight Geary County Schools USD 475 teacher to claim the prestigious Kansas Master Teacher honor by Emporia State University in 2024. She is also the 10th individual in USD 475 history to be named a member of the Kansas Master Teachers.

During the 2024-25 school year, the Kansas State Department of Education announced that Spring Valley Elementary first grade teacher Denise Acosta and Junction City High School audio and video teacher Easton Lager were both named 2024-25 Kansas Horizon Award honorees. By being chosen Kansas Horizon Award honorees, Acosta and Lager become the first USD 475 teachers chosen for the award since 2019. In all, USD 475 has now had 20 recipients be named Kansas Horizon Award honorees in its history.

Academically, Lincoln Elementary was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Lincoln is one of only 356 schools nation-wide to receive this prestigious honor in 2024. The Lions are also one of only four elementary schools in the entire state of Kansas, joining the likes of Garfield Elementary in Augusta, Herington Elementary in Herington and Sunflower Elementary in Paola, to earn National Blue Ribbon School honors. This recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

With Lincoln Elementary being honored this past year, Geary County Schools has now received a total of 12 National Blue Ribbon School accolades in its history.

USD 475 has also been recognized with a Kansas Scholastic Press Association’s Administrator of the Year, Centennial League Coach of the Year, NAMSP School of the Year and much more during the last couple of years. Junction City High School had a banner 2024-25 school year as the Blue Jays captured a league title in cross country. They also had a state championship honoree in cross country, girls wrestling, track and field and JAG-K.

Geary County Schools USD 475 is the first district in state of Kansas to receive a Purple Star designation. USD 475 has achieved the Army Partnership Award three times. This award represents the culmination of the dedication and resiliency of educators across the district.

Also Academically, Geary County Schools USD 475 ranks higher in its KAP scores than the Kansas state average. USD 475 also offers National Honor Society at the elementary, middle and high school. 

Overall, 70% of our students are in a building that is brand new or has had a major renovation over the past 13 years. USD 475 has received 27 Governor’s Awards since 2006 and continues a tradition of student success.

Geary County Schools USD 475 is proud to announce that Lincoln Elementary was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

“Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is a tremendous honor. This recognition stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families. It highlights our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and to creating an environment where every student can thrive,” said Daniel Dinkel, Lincoln Elementary principal. 

Lincoln is one of only 356 schools nation-wide to receive this prestigious honor in 2024. The Lions are also one of only four elementary schools in the entire state of Kansas, joining the likes of Garfield Elementary in Augusta, Herington Elementary in Herington and Sunflower Elementary in Paola, to earn National Blue Ribbon School honors. This recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

With Lincoln Elementary being honored, Geary County Schools has now received a total of 12 National Blue Ribbon School accolades in its history.

National Blue Ribbon Schools All-Time in USD 475
2024: Lincoln Elementary
2022: Morris Hill Elementary
2017: Eisenhower Elementary and Sheridan Elementary
2010: Franklin Elementary
2007: Eisenhower Elementary and Morris Hill Elementary
2005: Ware Elementary
2004: Sheridan Elementary and Jefferson Elementary
2003: Custer Hill Elementary
2002: Custer Hill Elementary