The District 112 Foundation Excellence in Education Award Program (Teacher of the Year) celebrates innovative teachers in pursuit of the best possible public education for students in our district. Each year, we recognize these professionals by awarding grants to them to support continued innovation in their classroom and we celebrate them with a banquet held in their honor.
Nina Kirkman is 2019 District 112 Teacher of the Year
Nina Kirkman was named the 2019 Teacher of the Year at the District 112 Foundation Excellence in Education Awards Banquet on April 28. Kirkman is a seventh-grade science teacher at Pioneer Ridge Middle School. Although she’s a science teacher, she incorporates music, poetry, and other forms of learning to help bring the subject alive for her students. Kirkman also helps build a stronger school community through implementation and facilitation of the Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program where eighth-graders serve as mentors and work with sixth-graders to help them feel comfortable in their new school environment. Kirkman's passion for science is infectious, and her students praise her ability to connect with them both in and out of the classroom, helping them achieve more than they think is possible.
Congratulations to this year's 2019 Teacher of the Year finalists!
Our community business partners support this program by partially underwriting the banquet, recognition materials, and providing grant money.
Nina Kirkman is 2019 District 112 Teacher of the Year
Nina Kirkman was named the 2019 Teacher of the Year at the District 112 Foundation Excellence in Education Awards Banquet on April 28. Kirkman is a seventh-grade science teacher at Pioneer Ridge Middle School. Although she’s a science teacher, she incorporates music, poetry, and other forms of learning to help bring the subject alive for her students. Kirkman also helps build a stronger school community through implementation and facilitation of the Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program where eighth-graders serve as mentors and work with sixth-graders to help them feel comfortable in their new school environment. Kirkman's passion for science is infectious, and her students praise her ability to connect with them both in and out of the classroom, helping them achieve more than they think is possible.
Congratulations to this year's 2019 Teacher of the Year finalists!
- Bill Gilness – Chaska Middle School West
- Mary Mobeck – Carver Elementary School
- Nina Kirkman – Pioneer Ridge Middle School - 2019 Teacher of the Year recipient
- Virginia Jackson – Chanhassen Elementary
- Justin Newman – Chaska Middle School East
Our community business partners support this program by partially underwriting the banquet, recognition materials, and providing grant money.
2019 Reception - Hosted by Chaska High School Student Council
Each year, members of the local high school student councils (alternating Chaska and Chanhassen) host a reception the week of the banquet to honor the finalists. This event is free and open to the public, and allows an opportunity to congratulate these teachers and engage with them in an informal setting.
Teacher of the Year Finalists Reception
Thursday, April 25
3-5 p.m.
Chaska High School Media Center
Teacher of the Year Finalists Reception
Thursday, April 25
3-5 p.m.
Chaska High School Media Center
2019 Banquet Registration
Excellence in Education Awards Banquet
Sunday, April 28
4-8 p.m.
Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center, Chaska
Registration includes dinner and non-alcoholic beverages. Cash bar will be available both for the pre-event social and during dinner.
Pre-event social begins at 4 PM | Dinner and program begins at 5 PM
Sunday, April 28
4-8 p.m.
Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center, Chaska
Registration includes dinner and non-alcoholic beverages. Cash bar will be available both for the pre-event social and during dinner.
Pre-event social begins at 4 PM | Dinner and program begins at 5 PM