Congratulations to 2026 Teacher of the Year Katie Huff and Support Staff Employee of the Year Dan Fisher!
The announcement of both awards was made during a program and reception on Thursday, April 9.
Katie is a special education teacher at Raymore-Peculiar High School and the LEAD Center. Dan is the lead computer technician at Ray-Pec high school.
As winners, Katie and Dan each receive a $500 cash award from the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation, a desk award, and banners for their schools. In addition, Katie will be nominated as the District's candidate for regional teacher of the year in the Missouri Teacher of the Year selection process. Their photos will be displayed at the Administrative Services Center.
Katie Huff is the Teacher of the Year
Katie is a special education teacher at Raymore-Peculiar High School and the LEAD Center. She has dedicated 18 years of service to the Raymore-Peculiar School District. She is currently working toward her Educational Specialist degree in educational leadership at Northwest Missouri State University, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026.
Katie and her husband, Bryan, are proud parents of three Ray-Pec graduates, with their youngest hoping one day to teach and coach in the district.
She enjoys Yoga, walking her dog Ace, listening to podcasts, reading, and attending musicals.
She was nominated by both a Ray-Pec employee and student. Staff member Maddie Houx wrote:
“Katie Huff is a special education teacher at the high school and LEAD center. She is able to carefully and thoughtfully design, implement and facilitate real world learning opportunities for both special education students and regular education students, often in an environment that successfully integrates the two groups.”
“She is the head of the LEAD transition services program that allows students with disabilities the opportunity to draw into their strengths and work with others in a way that benefits not only them, but their communities. She teaches all students valuable and realistic skills in a way that is accessible to everyone, so they are able to leave Ray-Pec striving to make a difference.”
Student Kambell Johnson wrote:
“She takes time out of the year to get to know her students and grow a bond that makes it easier to be there and want to do things. She is a kind and loving teacher who is just here to teach, but to get to know each and everyone of her students.”
Why Katie became a teacher:
“My dad was a high school teacher and coach, and during my freshman year, he volunteered me to be a peer partner in a special education classroom. I was apprehensive at first, unsure of what to expect, but that quickly changed. To this day, I can vividly remember what happened during that day: The lesson that was being worked on, how the classroom was set up, the energy of the students… It was different from anything I had experienced, yet it felt more meaningful and relevant than any other class I had been in. I saw students actively engaged in ways that truly mattered for their lives, and it changed my perspective on education. The teacher in that classroom became a role model for me, and the students quickly became my friends. What started as something I was unsure about turned into something I looked forward to every single day. I chose to continue as a peer partner for the next four years of high school. That experience didn’t just impact my time in high school; it changed my life.”
From the judges:
Each finalist for the Support Staff Employee of the Year award had an interview with two judges: Susan Brooker, CEOE, retired Superintendent and School Board Secretary, Harrisonville School District, and Lisa Cummings, Human Resources Consultant and former Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Belton School District.
The judges were impressed with all of the finalists, and noted their passion for teaching and dedication to students. They shared that all of the finalists are great representatives of the District.
In selecting Katie as Teacher of the Year, judges highlighted her deep love of teaching and unwavering commitment to her students. They were especially impressed by her dedication to fostering an inclusive classroom where all students are valued and involved, her focus on building meaningful relationships, and her emphasis on creating authentic, student-centered learning experiences that promote agency. One judge reflected, “She made me wish I was still a teacher. Her passion for advocating and teaching was contagious.”
Dan Fisher is Support Staff Employee of the Year
Dan is the lead computer technician at Ray-Pec high school. He has served in this role for more than seven years, and has dedicated a total of 20 years to the Ray-Pec School District.
Dan was also a finalist for the Support Staff of the Year Award in 2016, and 2017. Additionally, he received the Above and Beyond Award for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 School Year, as well as Multiple Attendance Awards from Buildings & Grounds, and a Certificate of Recognition from the Board of Education in 2023.
Dan’s main interests involve technology, and history.
Dan was nominated by Ray-Pec staff member Emily Craig, English teacher at Raymore-Peculiar High School. She wrote:
“Anytime I email Dan a question, he drops everything to help me. Even if I email him on a weekend and tell him he doesn't need to acknowledge my email until Monday. If the help I need is not in his technology wheelhouse, he will direct me to the correct person, and follow up if needed. There is not a teacher in RPHS who isn't in debt to Dan and the work he does, and he definitely does not get the proper recognition for that. Dan should be selected for Support Staff of the Year because without him, the high school would not function as well as it does. He is one of the unsung heroes of RPHS and deserves this award more than most!”
How he makes a difference:
“My goal each day when I come to work is to solve technology problems for staff and students in a friendly, reliable, and quick manner. I want staff to be able to teach kids and support kids, not have to think about and fight their technology that enables them to do that.”
“In running the technician crew, I strive to make sure each technician has the tools they need to provide a high quality level of support so we have reduced downtime, tickets are resolved quickly, and to provide a high level of communication to our staff.”
From the judges:
Each finalist for the Support Staff Employee of the Year award had an interview with two judges: Susan Brooker, CEOE, retired Superintendent and School Board Secretary, Harrisonville School District, and Lisa Cummings, Human Resources Consultant and former Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Belton School District.
Judges were impressed with each Support Staff Finalist, recognizing their strong commitment to students and the genuine passion they bring to their work each day.
In selecting Dan, the judges found him very humble- In his initial response to being named a 2026 Support Staff Finalist, he shared: “The fact that enough people in this building thought this of me, I’ve already won. I’m proud of this honor.” When asked how he contributes to Ray-Pec, he explained that maintaining reliable technology for students behind the scenes plays an important role in preparing them to grow into capable, productive adults. One judge wrote: “He seems like he would be a calming person to have around when things go wrong with technology.”