(Joplin, MO) – Joplin Schools is thrilled to announce that Joplin High School science teacher Tarryn Gilbert has been named 2025-26 District Teacher of the Year.
Gilbert has nearly 20 years of teaching experience, and has served at Joplin High School since 2017, teaching Physical Science, Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics. She is currently the co-chair of the Science Department and serves as the Physical Science subject lead. She also serves on the Transition Leadership Team, the Joplin Professional Development Team, the Power Lunch Committee, and the Level Up Committee.
The Teacher of the Year process in Joplin Schools begins with the acceptance of community nominations in January. Building leadership teams choose their building teacher of the year from those community nominations, and building winners are reviewed by a committee of community volunteers to select five district finalists.
This year’s finalists included Gilbert, Anne Jakaitis, Whitney Benfield, Stacie Frieze, and Angela Graves. Each finalist was invited to an interview with the selection committee, before the district’s overall winner was announced.
Joplin Schools Foundation Vice President Gloria Turner is a member of the selection committee, and noted the impressive qualifications of all of this year’s building winners and finalists.
“Seeing the work of all these fantastic teachers makes the selection process really challenging,” Turner said. “Not only are they all incredibly skilled and deserving of recognition for great teaching, they have also proven to be really intentional about building relationships with their students, which is the foundation for successful learning.”
Joplin Schools superintendent Dr. Kerry Sachetta presented the award to Gilbert today during a surprise announcement at JHS.
“Tarryn has been a great representative for Joplin Schools for a long time,” Dr. Sachetta said. “She embodies the true spirit of education, passing along her passion and curiosity to her students and bringing them within reach of success. She’s also a very collaborative leader, and we’ve seen that teamwork play out in her work every day. We’re really proud to give her this award.”
Gilbert will have a chance to compete for Regional Teacher of the Year winner later this summer, and she will be awarded a cash prize from the Joplin Schools Foundation during an upcoming board meeting.
Reference:
Sarah Coyne, Director of Communications
Joplin Schools
sarahcoyne@joplinschools.org
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