USD 417 Celebrates Two Teachers of the Year at Region 2 Banquet

On Sunday, April 19, USD 417 Morris County Schools had the privilege of celebrating two outstanding educators at the Region 2 Teacher of the Year Banquet, held at the Hotel Topeka Convention Center in Topeka, Kansas.

Brier Blythe, a Kindergarten teacher at Council Grove Elementary School, and Jarrod Hibler, a Math teacher at Council Grove Junior/Senior High School, were recognized as USD 417's Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively. They joined 41 total Teacher of the Year honorees from across Region 2 — one of four regions that make up the state of Kansas — and were recognized on stage by Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year Rachel Marlow.

What makes Mrs. Blythe and Mr. Hibler so deserving of this recognition is simple — they are student-first in every sense of the word. They connect with and relate to their students in ways that keep learning engaging, fun, and relevant. Walk into either of their classrooms and you will find students who are focused, invested, and growing. Both are also deeply respected by their peers and represent the kind of teachers you want influencing as many students and fellow educators as possible.

While Mrs. Blythe and Mr. Hibler were not named regional finalists, their journey is far from over. Both will attend the Kansas Teacher of the Year Conference in September in Wichita, Kansas, where the 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year will be announced. Perhaps most exciting, both will be placed on Regional Teacher of the Year teams, spending the next year traveling to school districts across the region to learn, grow, and collaborate with fellow honorees. One of those stops will be right here in Morris County, where Mrs. Blythe and Mr. Hibler will host their teams and showcase the great things happening in their buildings.

"We are proud to be a part of celebrating the teaching profession, and we are extremely proud of both Mrs. Blythe and Mr. Hibler," said USD 417 Superintendent Tyson Eslinger. "They represent the very best of USD 417 Morris County, and we look forward to supporting them as they learn and grow next year with their Teacher of the Year teams."

Congratulations, Mrs. Blythe and Mr. Hibler — Morris County is proud of you!