On Wednesday, May 13, USD 232 recognized 42 teachers and retirees for their service to the district, students, and surrounding communities at the annual Retirement and Teachers of Excellence Celebration. The district partnered with the De Soto Teachers' Association (DTA) to host this event at Mill Creek Middle School.

2025–26 Teachers of Excellence

The DTA recognized 15 Teachers of Excellence, selected from all 13 buildings. These educators are selected by their colleagues and exemplify what it means to be an outstanding, dedicated, and considerate educator. This year’s winners will have their names engraved on plaques that reside in their respective schools, and two graduating seniors will receive a scholarship in honor of the teachers selected for this award from the DTA. Dandra Arter, DTA president, was joined by co-vice-presidents, Emily Valdez and Jeff Wieland, to present the award to each honoree.

Belmont Elementary: Tina Rainbolt, kindergarten teacher

Clear Creek Elementary: Rachel Koop, counselor

Horizon Elementary: Heather Sickel, kindergarten teacher

Mize Elementary: Shelly Souders, art teacher

Mize Elementary: Katherine Taber, music teacher

Prairie Ridge Elementary: Jennifer Zymball, second grade teacher

Riverview Elementary: Rebecca van Noordt, fourth grade teacher

Starside Elementary: Madison King, special education resource teacher

Starside Elementary: Lindsay Summers, kindergarten teacher

Lexington Trails Middle School: Renee Graham, English language arts teacher

Mill Creek Middle School: Bobby Rawson, social studies teacher

Monticello Trails Middle School: Angela Eisenbarth, band teacher

De Soto High School: Michael Murphy, social studies teacher

Mill Valley High School: Eric Thomas, science teacher

Cedar Trails Exploration Center: Sarah Schulze, early childhood special education teacher

2025–26 Retirees 

USD 232 also paid tribute to 27 district employees as they embark on their next adventure of retirement. Each of these dedicated individuals have made a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and throughout our community. Members of the Board of Education joined Superintendent Cory Gibson to present each retirement honoree with a certificate and gift as a small token of appreciation for their contributions over the years.

Shelley Arbaugh, English language learner teacher at Riverview Elementary – 28 years at USD 232

Gerri Balthazor, principal at Mize Elementary – 32 years in education

Sally Brackney, paraprofessional at De Soto High School – 5 years at USD 232

Angela Eisenbarth, band teacher at Monticello Trails Middle School – 31 years in education

Josephine Ellis, art teacher at Mill Valley High School – 27 years in education

Andrea Faddis, English language learner teacher at Starside Elementary – 28 years at USD 232

Jana Flannigan, occupational therapist at Cedar Trails Exploration Center – 37 years at USD 232

Renee Graham, English language arts teacher at Lexington Trails Middle School – 19 years at USD 232

Kathryn Habiger, journalism teacher at Mill Valley High School – 30 years at USD 232

Lynda Heinen, student nutrition assistant at Prairie Ridge Elementary – 5 years at USD 232

Jan Hicks, principal at Starside Elementary – 27 years at USD 232

Mildred Laughlin, bioscience teacher at Cedar Trails Exploration Center – 33 years in education

Kim Leaf, speech language pathologist at Lexington Trails Middle School – 26 years in education

Deborah Martin, kindergarten teacher at Starside Elementary – 33 years in education

Bobbi Maybell, student nutrition assistant at Mill Valley High School – 9 years at USD 232

Kathleen Mayer, adaptive PE teacher at Mize Elementary – 38 years in education

Debra Messner, math aide at Prairie Ridge Elementary – 28 years in education

Lisa Miles, special education teacher at Prairie Ridge Elementary – 22 years at USD 232

Lisa Miller-Best, early childhood special education teacher at Cedar Trails Exploration Center – 32 years in education

Michael Murphy, social studies teacher at De Soto High School – 29 years at USD 232

Patricia Orth, fifth-grade teacher at Mize Elementary – 35 years in education

Wendy Ping, art teacher at Monticello Trails Middle School – 33 years in education

Debra Porter, paraprofessional at Mill Valley High School – 31 years at USD 232

Shannon Sawner, PE teacher at De Soto High School – 19 years at USD 232

Susan Slater, associate principal at Lexington Trails Middle School – 38 years at USD 232

Dr. Timothy Todd, paraprofessional at Prairie Ridge Elementary – 38 years in education

Marc VanMeerhaeghe, custodian at Riverview Elementary – 8 years at USD 232