In the fall of 2024, DM Injury Law set out to celebrate teachers in the Kansas City Metro area for all of the hard work they do year-round. Each week, students, co-workers, and parents nominated teachers they felt deserved recognition in their community. We nominated 3 teachers each week and let you, the KC community, vote on each week’s winners.
Contest Prizes
The Teacher of the Week winners received:
- $250 Visa Gift Card
- DM Injury Law Prize Pack
- Special Recognition on DM Social Media and DM Digital Billboard
- An Award Certificate and Presentation of Gifts at Their Winning School
Take a look at the 2024-2025 school year’s teachers of the week!
Congratulations to Our Winners for the 2024-2025 School Year!
Week 1 Winner – Mercedes Rasmussen
Shawnee Mission East High School
Business Teacher
Her nominator states how much of an impact Mercedes has made on her current students and continues to make on her past students. Her approach is to make business and marketing not only practical but fun through action in a variety of real-world projects!
Thank you for your outstanding work in education, Mercedes!
Week 2 Winner – Sabrina Hoskins
Argentine Middle School
6th Grade Reading and Writing
Her nominator says Sabrina should be the teacher of the CENTURY! She always shows up for her students and accepts anything that is asked of her with open arms.
Week 3 Winner – Jeanette Giangrosso
Center High School
Special Education
We’re proud to announce Jeanette Giangrosso from Center High School as this week’s Teacher of the Week!
Thank you for being a role model and making a difference in the Kansas City Metro. We know how hard you work to ensure your students are successful and we’re proud to support an active member of the community! Congratulations, Jeanette!
Week 4 Winner – Dr. Jennifer Spiegel
Antioch Middle School
8th Grade ELA
We’re thrilled to announce our Teacher of the Week! Join us in celebrating Dr. Jennifer Spiegel from Antioch Middle School for her incredible dedication and impact on students’ lives!
Her nominator states Dr. Spiegel meets every student’s individual needs and celebrates them for that! She cares deeply about her students in school, out of school, and for the rest of their lives!
Week 5 Winner – Natalie Clark
Holy Cross Catholic School
Music and SEL
Our Teacher of the Week spotlight shines on Natalie Clark from Holy Cross Catholic Schools! Thank you for going above and beyond to inspire the next generation. Let’s hear it for Natalie! 
Her nominator says Natalie has amazing energy and a strong love for music and genuinely encourages all students to do their personal best! Congratulations!
Week 6 Winner – Nina Breihan
Welborn Elementary
3rd Grade
This week’s DM Teacher of the Week goes to Nina Breihan at Welborn Elementary! Thank you for going above and beyond to make a difference for your students every day. Help us celebrate Nina!
Week 7 Winner – Polly Carlson
Grant Elementary
5th Grade
This week’s Teacher of the Week has gone above and beyond to do fun things in her classroom, and her genuine energy and connections with students and staff. Let’s give her a round of applause!
Week 8 Winner – Dawn Thompson
Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic School
4th Grade
This week’s Teacher of the Week is committed to improving her students’ day-to-day lives while making sure the classroom is a fun environment. Congratulations, Dawn!
Week 9 Winner – Andrea Stoufer
Welborn Elementary School
Kindergarten
This week’s Teacher of the Week stops at nothing to improve not only the lives of her students but their families as well. Congratulations, and thank you, Andrea!
Week 10 Winner – Sara Hennessy
New Stanley Elementary School
2nd Grade
Week 10’s Teacher of the Week is someone who makes every day memorable for her students! Congratulations on this accomplishment, Sara!
Week 11 Winner – Grace Robinson
Grace Robinson
Voy Spears, Jr. Elementary School
This week’s Teacher of the Week goes out to Grace Robinson! Grace is a teacher who strives to get to know and fully understand all of her students! Congratulations, Grace!
Week 12 Winner – Andrea Madrigal
Andrea Madrigal
New Stanley Elementary
This week’s Teacher of the Week is Andrea Madrigal! Andrea has made it her life to ensure every one of her students has an enjoyable day! Congrats, Andrea!
Week 13 Winner – Melody Riddell
Melody Riddell
Calvary Lutheran School
This week’s Teacher of the Week is Melody Riddell! Melody makes every day at school a place where her students can learn while having so much fun! Congratulations, Melody!
Week 14 Winner – Crystal Alexander
Crystal Alexander
Blue Springs High School
This week’s Teacher of the Week is Crystal Alexander! Crystal challenges her students every day while also encouraging them to achieve the best in their lives. Thank you, Crystal!
Week 15 Winner – Rhonda Willis
Rhonda Willis
Piper High School
Math/Piper Unified School District 203
This week’s winner of Teacher of the Week is Rhonda Willis! Rhonda has dedicated her life to her students and never fails to go above and beyond for each and every one. Thank you, and congratulations, Rhonda!
Week 16 Winner – Aneka Voth
Aneka Voth
Heartland Elementary
This week’s Teacher of the Week is Aneka Voth! Aneka does a tremendous job at making sure all of her students feel accepted and learn every day. Thank you, Aneka!
Week 17 Winner – Sydney Humphrey
Sydney Humphrey
Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
This week’s Teacher of the Week goes to Sydney Humphrey! Sydney is passionate about helping her students achieve great accomplishments every day. Congrats, Sydney!
Week 18 Winner – Leslie Stewart
Leslie Stewart
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
This week’s Teacher of the Week is Leslie Stewart! She never fails at putting her students first and giving back to the school. Thank you, Leslie!
Week 19 Winner – Tim Baldwin
Tim Baldwin
Liberty High School
This week’s Teacher of the Week is Tim Baldwin! Tim has had a passion for teaching and helping those around him ever since he was a student. Thank you for your dedication, Tim!
Teacher of the Week 2025-2026
Thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural Teacher of the Week contest! We look forward to celebrating more teachers during the 2025-2026 school year!
Have a great and safe summer!