District now accepting nominations for Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year Awards

      The Grain Valley School District is now accepting nominations for Grain Valley Teacher of the Year and Grain Valley Support Staff Employee of the Year awards.  For each award, nominations are accepted via online forms from staff, parents, students, and community members.  The awards are presented at the end of March.

Grain Valley Teacher of the Year
     The Grain Valley Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by Grain Valley Chiropractic, LLC which provides a $500 grant to the honoree. The honoree is eligible for the Regional and Missouri State Teacher of the Year programs.

      Nominees must have worked in the school district for at least one year. Nominees must intend to teach in Grain Valley the year following their selection. Anyone who has won the award during the last five years is not eligible for nomination. However, teachers previously nominated but not selected may be nominated again. This award is open to all certified staff excluding administrators and directors. Counselors, PT, OT, and library media specialists are eligible.

The process is as follows:

• Nominations are sought via an online form through January 31st. An email is sent to staff, MS & HS students & all parents, posted on our website and social media, and a release is sent to local papers.
• Nominations are reviewed by building & district administrators and qualified nominees are sent to the selection committee.
• A selection committee selects 3-6 finalists - there are no requirements for building representation among the finalists.
• A “surprise squad” announces finalists by visiting classrooms (at the beginning of February). The surprise squad includes building & district administrators. Finalists are given a folder of information regarding their selection & next steps, as well as a certificate.
• Finalists participate in a 20-minute interview with a panel of judges from outside the school district (at the beginning of March). The panel is made up of three education professionals from area districts. Finalists are asked to provide a resume which is given to judges prior to interviews. The panel selects the winner.
• Other: Email sent to staff who were nominated but not selected as finalists.
• Following the finalist announcement, an invitation is sent to the finalist's family & nominators to invite them to Board recognition.
• Grain Valley Teacher of the Year’s name will be submitted for DESE’s Regional Teacher of the Year.
• The honoree’s name will be added to the district Grain Valley Teacher of the Year plaque and an individual photo plaque will hang in the district office for the year.
•  Our Grain Valley Teacher of the Year will be asked to give a short address at Convocation in August.

Grain Valley Support Staff Employee of the Year
     The Grain Valley Support Staff Employee of the Year Award is sponsored by Grain Valley Chiropractic, LLC which provides a $100 gift to the honoree.

     Nominees must have worked in the school district for at least one year. Nominees must intend to work in Grain Valley the year following their selection. Anyone who has won the award during the last five years is not eligible for nomination. However, support staff previously nominated but not selected may be nominated again. Any non-certified employee is eligible for this award.

The process is as follows:

• Nominations are sought via an online form through January 31st. An email is sent to staff, MS & HS students & all parents, posted on our website and social media, and a release is sent to local papers.
• Nominations are reviewed by building & district administrators and qualified nominees are sent to the selection committee.
• A selection committee made up of past winners and/or district administration selects 3-6 finalists - there are no requirements for building representation among the finalists.
• A “surprise squad” announces finalists by visiting departments (at the beginning of February). The surprise squad includes building & district administration. Finalists are given a folder of information regarding their selection & next steps, as well as a certificate.
• Finalists participate in a 15-minute interview with a panel of judges from outside the school district (at the beginning of March). The panel is made up of three business professionals.
• Other: Email sent to staff who were nominated but not selected as finalists. Following the finalist announcement, an invitation is sent to the finalist's family & nominators to invite them to Board recognition.
• The honoree’s name will be added to the district Grain Valley Support Staff Employee of the Year plaque and an individual photo plaque will hang in the district office for the year.

     If you have questions about the nomination process or form, please email [email protected].

To nominate a staff member, visit: Staff Awards - Grain Valley Schools