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Saint Joseph School District honors teachers, names Victoria Turner 2025 Teacher of the Year
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Summary
The Saint Joseph School District celebrated teachers and staff at its annual tribute: keynote speaker Cammie Neth urged experience-driven learning, Appleseed grants totaling multiple awards were presented, Danielle Gonzalez won the Innovator award, and Victoria Turner was named Teacher of the Year.
Alex Tomes, principal at Ruberdew Middle School, opened the Saint Joseph School District's annual tribute to teachers on the district's program stage, welcoming board members, foundation leaders and staff before calling Central High School ROTC and Mary Sanders to present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Saint Joseph School District Foundation used the event to announce Appleseed grant recipients and underscore the role of donor funding in classrooms. Foundation leadership said eight grants were funded this year, with amounts listed in the program and awards ranging from $215 to $7,100. Ben Bird, chair of the foundation, thanked volunteers and sponsors for growing the fundraiser from a modest amount to six figures that the foundation directs back to district programs.
Cammie Neth, coordinator of the North Kansas City School District's Future Ready Lab, delivered the evening's keynote. Neth described the lab's work with more than 1,700 fifth graders annually and urged teachers to give students memorable, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity. "Our experiences give us our inspiration," she told the audience, encouraging teachers to take curricular risks and preserve classroom autonomy that allows students to learn by doing.
Todd Meyerhoffer presented the Suzanne and Walter Meyerhoffer Junior Memorial Innovator of the Year Award and named Danielle Gonzalez as this year's Innovator of the Year. Gonzalez described using TI rover devices purchased with a grant to have students collect and analyze data, program devices to draw graphs and integrate algebraic concepts into hands-on lessons.
The district also honored support staff. Angie Hernandez introduced her daughter, Beth Hernandez Rice, who was named Support Person of the Year for her work as an attendance interventionist at Benton High School. Rice described helping students re-enroll and cited a recent student who returned, completed requirements and graduated after reengaging with school.
The evening closed with Tomes and foundation leaders thanking organizers, volunteers and supporters and reminding attendees that funds raised by the foundation are returned to district classrooms and programs.
The tribute combined ceremony, community recognition and classroom-focused stories; the district's next steps are primarily celebratory follow-up and continued grant distribution.
