Chillicothe R-II Teacher of the Year & Beacon Award Winners

The Chillicothe Education Foundation provided $12,900 in award money for the 2025/26 Chillicothe R-II Schools Teacher of the Year and Beacon Awards.

Awards include:

For the Beacon Award – $300 for each nominee and $600 for the winner.

For the Teacher of the Year – $800 for each nominee and $1,200 for their classroom and $1,600 for the winner.

The Beacon Award nominees included: Amy Perry and Jessica O’Berry from Chillicothe Elementary, Sue Hopper from the Middle School, Debbie Shaffer from the High School, Lisa BeVelle from GRTS, and Mike Hearrington for the District nominee.

The 2025/26 Beacon Award Winner is Mike Harrington.

For the Teacher of the Year. Nominees include:

CES PreK-2^nd – Amy Dixon, CES 3^rd-5^th – Brandi Ellis, Middle School – Adrienne Allen, High School – Carla Kelly, and GRTS – Kayla Leatherman.

The 2025/26 Teacher of the Year is Carla Kelly