USD 490 announced El Dorado Middle School Science Teacher Dawn Rush as the 2023 Secondary District Teacher of the Year and Blackmore Kindergarten Teacher Jessica Denner as the 2023 Elementary District Teacher of the Year on November 3.
Rush received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University in 2004 and completed a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Middle Level Science in 2016.
She taught special education at Jetmore Elementary for one year then moved to Spearville Jr./Sr. High, where she taught several science courses, language arts, and social studies for two years before coming to El Dorado Middle School in 2008.
During her career with EMS, Rush has served on the Student Improvement Team and the District Technology Team “Pod Squad” that helped connect curriculum and technology with the introduction of the iPod Touch to middle school students in 2010.
One of the people who nominated Rush commended her on building personable relationships with students and creating a classroom atmosphere that allowed students to feel comfortable and safe. Her nomination also applauded her for helping students build self-confidence and teaching them to advocate for themselves.
Jessica Denner earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Emporia State University in 2017 and is currently in her sixth year of teaching Kindergarten. She began her teaching career at Village Elementary School in Emporia, Kansas, in August 2017. She accepted a kindergarten teaching position at Blackmore Elementary in 2018 and has called USD 490 home ever since.
While at Blackmore Elementary, Denner has sparked district-wide change in structured learning supports by advocating for students and serves on the Professional Development Council to help guide professional learning for staff.
Parents say she is kind, compassionate, a great listener and involved teacher. They appreciate how Denner can highlight student traits and teach them how to use those to learn and grow as individuals.
These two outstanding teachers will represent USD 490 as nominees for the state’s 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year recognition. One of them will also be selected by the Recognition Committee to have the opportunity to represent the district as the 2024 Kansas Master Teacher nominee.
We would also like to recognize the other amazing educators who were nominated by their building for the 2023 District Teacher of the Year Award: Sonya Adams (Skelly) and Lora Goehring (EHS). We have some phenomenal professionals as #PartOfThePride.
For more information about District Teacher of the Year eligibility or to see a list of previous awardees, please visit our website: https://www.usd490.org/page/district-teacher-of-the-year