Nominations being accepted for Teacher of the Year, Staff Member of the Year, and Administrator of the Year
The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, in proud partnership for 22 years with First National Bank, is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year nominations!
This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the educators and staff who go above and beyond, igniting curiosity and changing lives inside and outside of the classrooms every single day. We are looking for those visionary mentors who inspire our students to reach further and dream bigger.
Don't let their hard work go unnoticed! Help us celebrate the heart and soul of our schools by submitting your nomination.
Deadline for nominations is April 29, 2026.
The magic begins this May, when our incredible nominees will receive their heartfelt nomination letters. The perfect finale to wrap up the 2025-2026 school year with the recognition they truly deserve—but the excitement doesn't stop there! The momentum builds all summer toward the grand stage of the GIPS Welcome Back event in August. In a room filled with pride and applause, we will officially honor six extraordinary individuals with prestigious awards, kicking off the new year by celebrating the very best in education!
"Within the heart of our District, in the classrooms and hallways of Grand Island Public Schools, lives a quiet dedication," stated Kari Hooker-Leep, Executive Director of the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation. "These are the individuals who 'put their full heart into students each and every day,' the ones who 'meet their students right where they are.' They are the educators, the support staff, the unsung heroes who shape futures and ignite passions. These are the individuals we seek to honor - anyone who embodies 'the spirit of dedication, warmth, and unparalleled support that defines excellence.' Who has changed YOUR life? Who has made a difference in the lives of our children? Let's flood our schools with the recognition these extraordinary individuals deserve. Let's celebrate the heart of Grand Island Public Schools."
The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation invites the community to submit nominations today. The nomination form is available on the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation website:
Nominations are submitted electronically through a Google Form and should include the following information:
- Name of school where teacher, staff member, or principal is employed
- Teacher, Principal, or Staff Member's name
- An explanation of why the teacher, principal, or staff member deserves to receive the award
- Name and e-mail address of person submitting the nomination
Questions:
Kari Hooker-Leep, Executive Director
Grand Island Public Schools Foundation
(308) 385-5525; khookerleep@gips.org
