Master Teacher & Teachers of the Year Awards
About the Awards
Lawrence Teachers of the Year
Lawrence Teachers of the Year
Lawrence Public Schools annually recognizes one Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year and one Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year. The district nominates both to the Kansas State Department of Education’s Kansas Teacher of the Year Program. Truity Credit Union, a LEAP partner, provides $1,000 to each recipient.
Nominees must be full-time classroom teachers who have completed a minimum of five years in education. The teacher should be exceptionally skilled, dedicated and inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn. The candidate should have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues and should play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school. The nominee must be committed to serving as a leader in efforts to improve schools, student performance and the teaching profession.
No nomination form is required. Simply write a detailed letter of recommendation about why you think the teacher deserves to be honored. Send your letter of recommendation to the Superintendent in care of the Communications Office (by the end of December) by clicking the link below or emailing jake.potter@usd497.org.
(All previous nominations remain in the awards pool.)
Lawrence Master Teacher
Lawrence Master Teacher
Lawrence Public Schools selects one Lawrence Master Teacher each spring for local recognition and as its nominee to the Kansas Master Teacher program sponsored by Emporia State University. Truity Credit Union, a LEAP partner, provides $2,500 to the recipient.
Nominees should be teachers who have taught or served in an instructional leadership role for at least five years. Nominees should exemplify teaching and/or administrative effectiveness, constructive service in the community, zeal in promoting the advancement of education, and a sincere interest in professional organizations.
No nomination form is required. Simply write a detailed letter of recommendation about why you think the teacher deserves to be honored. Send your letter of recommendation to the Superintendent in care of the Communications Office (by the end of December) by clicking the link below or emailing jake.potter@usd497.org.
(All previous nominations remain in the awards pool.)
If you'd like to nominate an educator for a district honor, please send a letter of recommendation to the Superintendent of Schools in care of the Communications Office at jake.potter@usd497.org or Lawrence Public Schools, 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS 66044.
History of Award Winners
Master Teachers & Teachers of the Year
Master Teachers & Teachers of the Year
Previous Award Recipients
2024-2025
Amanda Carlson, Cordley Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Connie Merz, Billy Mills Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Jenny Humburg, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
2023-2024
Nicole Riley, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Tracy Murray, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Amanda Yoder, Lawrence Master Teacher
2022-2023
Jessica Brown, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
Kristin Oswald, Schwegler Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lori Byers, Billy Mills Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2021-2022
Jeff Haas, Free State High, Lawrence Master Teacher (District Nominee for Kansas Master Teacher in 2022-2023)*
Craig McCauley, West Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year (District Secondary Nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2021-2022)*
Monica Dutcher, Pinckney Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year (District Elementary Nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2022-2023)*
Zach Saltz, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year (District Secondary Nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2022-2023)*
*Timelines for the state-level recognition programs shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dianne Thomas, Deerfield/Woodlawn Elementaries, Lawrence Educator of the Year**
**Special district award presented to an outstanding school nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-21
Barbara Tholen, Lawrence High, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Jennifer Gorup, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Tracey Norris, Project Search, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2019-20
Dr. Jessica Larsen, Hillcrest Elementary School, Lawrence Master Teacher
Amanda Lovett, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Shari Flakus, Billy Mills Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2018-19
Paula Barr, Quail Run Elementary School, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Peter Gipson, Sunflower Elementary School, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year & Kansas Teacher of the Year Region Semifinalist
Julitha Rials, Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2017-18
Julie Battaglia, Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Lawrence Master Teacher
Nicole Corn, Sunset Hill Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year & Kansas Teacher of the Year Finalist
Cari Davis, Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year & Kansas Teacher of the Year Region Semifinalist
2016-17
Leslie Downing, Langston Hughes Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
Lisa Melton, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Jack Hood, Lawrence High School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2015-16
Keri Lauxman, Lawrence High School, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Keri Lauxman, Lawrence High School, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Debra Williams, Sunset Hill Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kristin Mallory, Southwest Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2014-15
Darin Fischer, Prairie Park Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
Sara Bonner, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lucinda Crenshaw, West Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year, Kansas Teacher of the Year Finalist
2013-14
John Bode, New York Elementary, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Paula Barr, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kelly Hart, South Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2012-13
Kathy Bowen, Hillcrest/Sunset Hill Elementaries, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Diana Bailey, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Becky Reaver, Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2011-12
Kendra Metz, Southwest Middle School, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Marilou Cavin, Woodlawn Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lynne Renick, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2010-11
Ann Lounsbury, Kennedy Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
Anne Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Christine Drinkhouse, Southwest Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2009-10
Kassie Shook, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Leellyn Tuel, Hillcrest Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year & Kansas Region III Semifinalist
Cathy Crispino, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2008-09
Chuck Law, Free State High, Lawrence Master Teacher
Mike Martin, Prairie Park Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Johannah Cox, Central Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2007-08
Judy Kettle, Wakarusa Valley Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
Sue Vossler, Schwegler Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Teresa Clough, West Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2006-07
Lynn Heffley, Pinckney Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Ron Lang, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Ron Garvin, South Junior High, Lawrence Master Teacher
2005-06
Debby Cummings, Schwegler Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Jane Rock, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Gerry Bukaty, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
2004-05
Bev Hyde, Cordley Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Sam Rabiola, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Keri Austin-Janousek, Free State High, Lawrence Master Teacher
2003-04
Debby Francisco, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lanell Finneran, Bert Nash Therapeutic Classroom, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Pat Grzenda, District-wide Special Education, Lawrence and Kansas Master Teacher
2002-03
Brenda Meyers, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Pat Nemchock, Lawrence High,Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Pamela Williams, Broken Arrow Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
2001-02
Adela Solis, East Heights Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Jeanne Averill, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Sherry Slade, Free State High, Lawrence Master Teacher
2000-01
Gretchen Lehman, Kennedy Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Pamela Bushouse, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Joe Nyre, special education administrator, Lawrence Master Teacher
1999-00
Jan Dicker, Grant Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kansas Teacher of the Year Region III Semifinalist
Judi Wolfe, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Jane Boberg, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1998-99
Jeff McAdoo, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kansas Teacher of the Year Region III Semifinalist
Michel Loomis, Central Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Lynda Wheeler, Centennial Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1997-98
Sherry Nelson, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year and Kansas Teacher of the Year Region III Semifinalist
Brian "Chip" Anderson, Central Junior High, Lawrence and Kansas Master Teacher
1996-97
Elaine Schmidt, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Judi Condra, Riverside Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1995-96
Helen Tuley, Hillcrest Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Margie Coggins, Kennedy Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1994-95
Sandra Sanders, Cordley Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Jane Imber, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1993-94
Patricia Bailey, Lawrence High, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Carolyn Landgrebe, New York Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1992-93
Terry Tuckwin, Woodlawn Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Mary Gordon, District-wide Special Education, Lawrence Master Teacher
1991-92
Kathy VonEnde, Central Junior High, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Diane Low, South Junior High, Lawrence Master Teacher
1990-91
Mickey Woolard, New York Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Ginger Hamm, Centennial Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1989-90
Tom Christie, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year and Lawrence and Kansas Master Teacher
Lawrence Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards:
John Bode, New York Elementary, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Paula Barr, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kelly Hart, South Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2012-13
Kathy Bowen, Hillcrest/Sunset Hill Elementaries, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Diana Bailey, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Becky Reaver, Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2011-12
Kendra Metz, Southwest Middle School, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Marilou Cavin, Woodlawn Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lynne Renick, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2010-11
Ann Lounsbury, Kennedy Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
Anne Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Christine Drinkhouse, Southwest Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2009-10
Kassie Shook, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence & Kansas Master Teacher
Leellyn Tuel, Hillcrest Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year & Kansas Region III Semifinalist
Cathy Crispino, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2008-09
Chuck Law, Free State High, Lawrence Master Teacher
Mike Martin, Prairie Park Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Johannah Cox, Central Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2007-08
Judy Kettle, Wakarusa Valley Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
Sue Vossler, Schwegler Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Teresa Clough, West Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
2006-07
Lynn Heffley, Pinckney Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Ron Lang, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Ron Garvin, South Junior High, Lawrence Master Teacher
2005-06
Debby Cummings, Schwegler Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Jane Rock, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Gerry Bukaty, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
2004-05
Bev Hyde, Cordley Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Sam Rabiola, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Keri Austin-Janousek, Free State High, Lawrence Master Teacher
2003-04
Debby Francisco, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lanell Finneran, Bert Nash Therapeutic Classroom, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Pat Grzenda, District-wide Special Education, Lawrence and Kansas Master Teacher
2002-03
Brenda Meyers, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Pat Nemchock, Lawrence High,Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Pamela Williams, Broken Arrow Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
2001-02
Adela Solis, East Heights Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Jeanne Averill, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Sherry Slade, Free State High, Lawrence Master Teacher
2000-01
Gretchen Lehman, Kennedy Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year
Pamela Bushouse, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Joe Nyre, special education administrator, Lawrence Master Teacher
1999-00
Jan Dicker, Grant Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kansas Teacher of the Year Region III Semifinalist
Judi Wolfe, Free State High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Jane Boberg, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1998-99
Jeff McAdoo, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kansas Teacher of the Year Region III Semifinalist
Michel Loomis, Central Junior High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year
Lynda Wheeler, Centennial Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1997-98
Sherry Nelson, Sunflower Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year and Kansas Teacher of the Year Region III Semifinalist
Brian "Chip" Anderson, Central Junior High, Lawrence and Kansas Master Teacher
1996-97
Elaine Schmidt, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Judi Condra, Riverside Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1995-96
Helen Tuley, Hillcrest Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Margie Coggins, Kennedy Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1994-95
Sandra Sanders, Cordley Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Jane Imber, Quail Run Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1993-94
Patricia Bailey, Lawrence High, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Carolyn Landgrebe, New York Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1992-93
Terry Tuckwin, Woodlawn Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Mary Gordon, District-wide Special Education, Lawrence Master Teacher
1991-92
Kathy VonEnde, Central Junior High, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Diane Low, South Junior High, Lawrence Master Teacher
1990-91
Mickey Woolard, New York Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year
Ginger Hamm, Centennial Elementary, Lawrence Master Teacher
1989-90
Tom Christie, Deerfield Elementary, Lawrence Teacher of the Year and Lawrence and Kansas Master Teacher
Lawrence Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards:
2000 - Jeff McAdoo, Quail Run Elementary; 1996 - Linda Herbel, Quail Run Elementary; 1992 - Tom Christie, Deerfield Elementary
Lawrence Teachers in the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame:
Lawrence Teachers in the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame:
2013 - Paul Stuewe, Lawrence High; 2012 - Brilla Ann Highfill Scott, Lawrence High; 2011 - Stan Roth, Lawrence High; 2006 - Ray Wilbur, Lawrence High; 1998 - Virginia "Ginger" Hamm, Centennial Elementary; 1994 - Mary Alice Demeritt Gordon, District Special Education; 1989 - Dorothy McGregor; 1985 - Gertrude Ruttan, Lawrence High; 1978 - Milo O. Stucky.