K-State recognizes Kansas High School Science Teachers of the Year

By Marcia Locke
College of Arts and Sciences

Kansas State University is recognizing five outstanding Kansas teachers with its High School Science Teacher of the Year Award.

The award highlights and rewards inspirational and impactful high school science teachers throughout the state. Biology, chemistry, geology and physics faculty members in K-State’s College of Arts and Sciences selected the recipients based on student nominations.

Students majoring in those programs were asked to name the teachers who inspired them to study science or made a difference in their growth and development, said Matthew Brueseke, professor and interim head of geology. The nominees were then invited to apply, and a committee selected the awardees.

The following teachers have received the 2025 Kansas State University High School Science Teacher of the Year Awards:

• Biology: Emily Myers, Olathe West High School, Olathe, and Kristi Roberts, Scott Community High School, Scott City.
• Chemistry: Dunia Harmison, Riley County High School, Riley.
• Geology: Heather Daerr, Garden Plain High School, Garden Plain.
• Physics: Jennifer Hendrix, Dodge City High School, Dodge City.

“High school teachers deserve much more recognition than they get for their exceptional work,” said Christer Aakeröy, university distinguished professor and chemistry department head. “The preparation they provide students is critically important to the prosperity of the state and to the educational and scholarly mission of our university.”

The award recipients, their nominators and a few of their current students were invited to a recognition luncheon April 25 at the Manhattan campus. Each teacher was presented a $500 cash award, a certificate and an artistic piece of glassware custom-made by the chemistry department’s scientific glassblower, Jim Hodgson. The visitors also received lunch and a personalized tour of the campus and some laboratories.

“We wanted to acknowledge the extraordinary high school educators who inspire students to go into sciences and recognize all the hard work they do even through challenging times,” said Tim Bolton, William and Joan Porter professor and physics department head.

“We are grateful for the many gifted high school science teachers across Kansas who provide a critical foundation for students who go on to pursue physical and life sciences degrees at K-State,” said Mark Ungerer, director of the Division of Biology.

The College of Arts and Sciences at K-State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees spanning the natural and quantitative sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and arts and humanities, along with research opportunities, hands-on applied learning experiences and robust advising to prepare students for successful careers.