El Dorado Public Schools is proud to announce Katie Todd of Skelly Elementary as the 2026-2027 District Elementary Teacher of the Year and Matthew Reimer of El Dorado Middle School and El Dorado High School as the 2026-2027 District Secondary Teacher of the Year.
This year’s district theme, “Growing with Purpose,” celebrates the intentional work our educators do every day to help students learn, grow, discover their strengths and prepare for their futures. Todd and Reimer exemplify that purpose through their commitment to students, their colleagues and the continued growth of their programs.
Katie Todd: District Elementary Teacher of the Year
Todd is a dedicated early childhood educator who has served USD 490 for more than 20 years. Her career has focused on helping young learners build strong academic, social-emotional and developmental foundations while ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Currently an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at Skelly Elementary, Todd has served in this role since 2012, although she has been with the district since 2007.
Her work includes developing individualized instruction and support for students with diverse academic, developmental, behavioral and communication needs. She also works closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to develop and monitor Individualized Education Programs and uses assessment data to drive instruction and celebrate student growth.
Todd's experience in USD 490 also includes teaching kindergarten and pre-kindergarten at Skelly Elementary, as well as serving as a 21st Century Grant Curriculum Coordinator at Ogden Elementary. She earned a Master of Science in Early Childhood Unified from Emporia State University in 2015, after completing a Bachelor of Science at Kansas State University in 2004.
Throughout her career, Todd has emphasized inclusive learning, differentiated instruction, family engagement, student advocacy and social-emotional development. She works to create classrooms where students feel supported, capable and confident as they learn.
Her dedication to students and the community has also been recognized through honors including the Hubbard Award of Distinction and multiple Jester Awards for Outstanding Lobby Display for her work as a parent supporting EHS drama productions.
With more than two decades of service to USD 490, Todd's career is a powerful example of what it means to grow with purpose by helping students take those foundational first steps toward becoming confident, lifelong learners.
Matthew Reimer: District Secondary Teacher of the Year
Reimer teaches band at El Dorado Middle School and El Dorado High School, bringing a passion for music education, student leadership and program development to his work with USD 490 students.
Reimer joined USD 490 in 2021 and has made a significant impact on the district's music program. He created curriculum for middle school Music Appreciation, serves as the lead teacher for sixth-grade Beginning Band and implemented recruitment strategies that increased sixth-grade band enrollment. His work has helped build the program to the point that a student advanced to District and State Band for the first time in more than a decade.
Beyond the classroom, Reimer has served on the high school Building Leadership Team, sponsored color guard, helped lead major fundraising efforts and mentored students interested in pursuing music education as a career. He also collaborates with Band Director Zane Boone on marching, pep and concert ensembles, including more than 40 events and out-of-state trips each year.
Reimer's commitment to music education extends well beyond his years in El Dorado. Before joining USD 490, he served as a band director in Pittsburg, Kansas; Palestine, Texas; and Stanberry and Albany, Missouri. His previous work included managing large music programs, developing diverse curricula, creating opportunities for student musicians and helping students reach state-level ensembles and competitions.
He holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting with Honors from Pittsburg State University (completed in 2024) and a Bachelor of Music Education from Missouri State University (completed in 2008), along with Kansas certification in K-12 Music Education.
Reimer's work demonstrates that growing with purpose isn't simply about building a stronger program, it is also about creating opportunities for students to discover what they can accomplish and giving them the skills, confidence and support to pursue those opportunities.
From helping young learners develop their first academic and social-emotional skills to guiding student musicians toward district and state-level opportunities, both Todd and Reimer demonstrate the purpose behind the work of our schools.
Please join us in congratulating Katie Todd and Matthew Reimer on being named the 2026-2027 USD 490 District Teachers of the Year and in celebrating the many educators across our district who help our students grow with purpose every day.
Congratulations, Mrs. Todd and Mr. Reimer!