The Jefferson City School District and JC Schools Foundation are proud to announce the 2024 Eisinger Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Educator Awards.

The Eisinger Award recipients were chosen from a field of full-time certified teachers, school librarians, guidance counselors, behavior interventionists, and instructio

nal coaches who were nominated by colleagues, parents, and students for possessing the qualities of a great educator. Don and Linda Eisinger established the Eisinger Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Educator Awards in 2015 with plans to support the awards for a total of 15 years.

2024 Eisinger Teacher of the Year, Kelsey Hile, Thomas Jefferson Middle School

The recipient of the 2024 Eisinger Teacher of the Year award is Kelsey Hile. Kelsey teaches physical education at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, a position she has held since beginning her teaching career 11 years ago. Kelsey also serves as the head coach of the varsity girls soccer team at Capital City High School. She is a graduate of Jefferson City High School.

“We have a very high expectation culture at TJMS and that helps our kids develop life-long skills they can take with them into their future. The kids have no idea how much they are our ‘why.’ They mean the world to us, and they are why we come to work and do what we do. I want to be a guiding light in their life and give back to this community that has given so much to me my entire life.” See more from Kelsey Hile’s video here. 

2024 Eisinger Outstanding Educator, Amanda Schreiber, Lawson

A fourth grade teacher at Lawson Elementary, Amanda Schreiber is the 2024 Eisinger Outstanding Educator. Amanda began her teaching career 14 years ago with the Jefferson City School District, from where she is a graduate. She also serves as the assistant varsity cross country coach at Jefferson City High School.

“I truly believe I was born to be a teacher. I love my students. I love learning with them, challenging them, seeing their ah-hah moments and their struggles, and getting them through those struggles. Fourth grade minds are so amazing. They are able to solve complex math equations and they are amazing writers. I am in awe of them. My students mean everything to me.” See more from Amanda Schreiber’s video here. 

The other educators selected as 2024 Eisinger Teacher of the Year finalists were: 

• Ashley Angle, Pioneer Trail Elementary, kindergarten teacher

• Tracey Bechtel, Southwest Early Childhood Center, early childhood special education teacher

• Shannon Gann, Moreau Heights Elementary, school counselor

• Shelly Kiesling, Jefferson City High School, english language arts teacher

The Eisinger Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, composed of Jefferson City area community members, chose the six finalists based on written applications. The committee then selected the Eisinger Teacher of the Year and the Eisinger Outstanding Educator following in-person interviews. These awards were announced during a ceremony at the Miller Performing Arts Center on Monday, April 8th.