Olivia Ingram (Haven Academy)

I am delighted to nominate Ms. Olivia Ingram for Teacher of the Year! Prior to joining Haven Academy, Ms. Ingram served students overseas in Nigeria and brought back with her a perspective that enriches her classroom today. She has not only helped bridge Christian education across cultures but has also fostered meaningful connections - among the students, with peers around the world, and most importantly, with Jesus Christ.

Through her encouragement and creativity, she has shown my son that learning is both joyful and purposeful. More than that, she has instilled in him the confidence to rise to challenges, equipping him to grow by using his God-given gifts and talents! Thank you, Ms. Ingram for investing your heart, time, and efforts into our children, and for making Haven Academy the most incredibly school that it can be!

 

Jennifer Montgomery (Concordia Academy)

Mrs. Montgomery has been a wonderful addition to our school's teaching staff this year! Her enthusiasm and knowledge in teaching the students the art of composing as well as teaching how to internalize what the student has read has brought a new appreciation of the classics to my students. She has a great energy that the students connect to which encourages them to work hard and be accountable. She is the epitome of organization and wonderful role model. Having Mrs. Montgomery on staff has also allowed our school to offer dual credit college classes through Concordia University Nebraska. She has quite a commute to CAW, coming from Lincolnville, and we appreciate every moment we have with her.

 

Karla Hoover (Haven Academy)

There are some people that come into your life that you look back and see so clearly that they were all part of Gods plan in your story. Mrs. Karla Hoover, K4/K5 (and previous K-1) teacher at Haven Academy of Salina, is one of those people in my family's story.

Karla has the biggest heart for the Lord and has been blessed with gifts of teaching, loving and incredible patience that makes all of her students thrive in learning and grow in their faith.

The first day my daughter started at Haven Academy and was asked how her day was, she replied, "well.... we prayed a lot." And how those words stuck with me as I wanted her grow and transform through the year into a young child that herself turned to prayer whenever she was worried, sad, scared or unsure.

Karla teaches her students Bible verses every week and songs that make learning fun, but are impactful. Last year learning all the books of the Bible, More than 30 memorized Bible verses and other skills such as the Pledge of Allegiance and Allegiance to the Christian Flag and National Anthem.

Karla is an amazing teacher in the classroom, but has also dedicated nearly all of her outside time and summers to extra tutoring for students. Using her specialized training in dyslexia, incredible patience and Servants Heart to ensure all students she interacts with are able to advance.

I can not say enough positive affirmations for the knowledge, love and faith Karla instills in her students. Thinking about how God placed her in our story gives me tears each time I think about it. And brings such joy to think how many students and families she impacts beyond us.

She is always available for a hug or kind word to her students and truly cares about their families as well.

We LOVE our school! But it is Mrs. Karla Hoover that has laid the foundation for my young daughter in not only learning, but to always turn to our Savior Jesus Christ, trust in him and stay close to his Word. There is no better gift that can be given to our children! Thank you for your consideration of Mrs. Karla Hoover for the HERO Teacher of the Year. If you have any questions about her qualifications and amazing impact, please reach out.

 

 

Meghan Beckley (Haven Academy)

Megan is absolutely incredible! She goes above and beyond in serving these students. She sees each and every one of them, sees how they learn best, and one on one helps them master their subjects in school. She makes learning so fun! My daughter loves school & loves Megan. Megan also loves her students like they are her own. She checks in on them if they are sick, and truly listens when the students tell her the randomness they did that weekend! Megan is so patient and kind! She helps the parents understand homework assignments and is also available to answer questions after school hours. We love Megan & give her so much credit for our daughter loving and thriving in school!

 

Lora Stanley (Haven Academy)

Mrs. Stanley has been an absolute God-send to our school! As we grew, it became apparent that we needed to hire a teacher specifically to be an administrator and run the day-to-day educational side of operations. Mrs. Stanley's extensive experience as a teacher along with her master's degree in educational leadership has been such a blessing in helping our school grow and thrive. Mrs. Stanley goes above and beyond, spending so much time and energy to make sure our students are well-prepared for academics, and ensuring they are growing in their faith during the school days. We could not be doing half the work we are doing without Mrs. Stanley's dedication and commitment to Christian education, and believe that she deserves to be the HERO teacher of the year!

 

Alisha Chavana (Courage Academy)

Alisha Chavana should be HERO Teacher of the Year because she brings energy, joy, and genuine care into everything she does. She is easy-going and fun, creating a classroom where students feel comfortable, supported, and excited to learn. Her natural ability to spark curiosity helps students stay engaged, especially in math and reading, where she makes concepts approachable and meaningful. She’s always willing to help others and goes with the flow, handling challenges with a positive attitude and a sense of humor. She also naturally reflects her love for the Lord through her kindness, patience, and the way she treats every student with compassion and respect. Most importantly, she truly loves her students, and that shows in the strong connections she builds and the confidence she inspires in them every day.

 

Felicia Gallegos (Hope Academy)

Mrs. Fae, is so calm, patient, and God loving teacher! She treats my child like her own. She even loves on my child that is not in her class yet. She gets excited for our family accomplishments. She is the most amazing teacher with my little girl, but she also care much more than inside her 4 walls of her classroom. She is the best teacher! And I think she is the perfect fit!

 

Kim Stringer (Kreative Kids Faith Academy)

I nominate Kim Stringer, owner of Kreative Kids Faith Academy, for Teacher of the Year.  My grandson, Harlan, who has special needs, has been attending Kim's school since he was five years old.  He started going to her weekly "themed" summer camps which are so fun and creative!  He was attending public school when covid hit and like so many others, we had to start on-line learning along with on-line therapies.  It was a rough transition and a short time later Kim graciously accepted Harlan into her school.  Harlan has been with Mrs. Kim and her co-teacher Mrs. Edna for a few years now.  This faith-based school and their teachers pour so much love and guidance into their students.  The kids are in the great outdoors most of their days playing and learning. They work with each child at their academic and social level. As Harlan has gotten older some medical challenges have led us to switch to homeschooling.  Thankfully Mrs. Kim is flexible, and we still go to see her twice a week for one-on-one tutoring, socialization, and life skills.  Mrs. Kim has been a huge part of Harlan's special needs journey and has become family to us.  I can't thank her and Mrs. Edna (they make a great team) enough for all they have done and continue to do to support Harlan and our family. 
 

Caleesa Danz (Freedom Preparatory)

Caleesa came to us from the public school system nervous and unsure about our methods but she has fully embraced our unique teaching methods and has been an incredible teacher this year teaching students in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd grade by diversifying the curriculum and finding resources to make sure every student is learning well. She puts in the time to make learning engaging and innovative and is such a blessing to our school. We are so grateful to have her!

 

Edna Lopez (Kreative Kids Faith Academy)

When you send your children to school, you are dropping off a piece of your heart into someone else’s care.

You put trust into the teachers character, teaching styles, and their knowledge.

You hope that they treat your child with love, patience, courtesy, compassion, and protect them as best they can.

You pray that they help to develop a love for learning, a sense of belonging and build their confidence.

When we enrolled our girls at Kreative Kids Academy, we were thrilled that it was first and foremost a faith based school. We loved that it’s also a nature school- allowing them to be children and spend so much time time outdoors. We were so happy when we learned how nutritious they eat- and the importance they put on quality food that goes into our babies bodies. We were excited about the energy and passion that the teachers, Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Edna expressed and exhibited. We had no idea that our girls teachers would become two of their favorite people.

Blessed is an understatement for what we feel with Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Edna. Each day they show up and pour their heart and souls into our kids, and every other student there.

We are nominating Ms. Kim and Ms. Edna for teachers of the year for many reasons, but the most important one is because of how they love our children- like their own. They are selfless, energetic, compassionate and work so synergistically that the children thrive off the joy that is exuded in every activity, lesson, and moment of play. They plan parent nights out, field trips, incredibly creative activities DAILY. Love and fun are sprinkled in everything they do.

We are so thankful to these teachers who have made the transition for our girls so beautiful. God has blessed them with abilities that deserve to be recognized!