Ladue Schools is proud to announce that Sarah Kirksey, the district’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year, has been selected as one of 34 Regional Teachers of the Year in Missouri. Kirksey, who teaches journalism at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, will represent her region in the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year Program.

“We are thrilled to see Sarah recognized at the regional level,” said Dr. Jim Wipke, Superintendent of Ladue Schools. “Her dedication to elevating student voice, cultivating critical thinking, and preparing students to be future-ready leaders makes a lasting difference in our community.”

The Regional Teachers of the Year were announced by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which oversees the annual Teacher of the Year Program. The program honors outstanding educators who make a powerful impact in their schools and communities.

Kirksey’s recognition places her among a distinguished group of educators across the state, selected from a pool of nearly 500 nominees representing 284 school districts. The next stage in the process will see DESE naming the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year semi-finalists this August.

For more information on the Missouri Teacher of the Year Program, visit https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-development/current-regional-teachers-year