USD 308 Announces KS Teacher of the Year Nominees: Hill, Ray
Hutchinson Public Schools is proud to announce Lori Hill and Jessica Ray as the district's nominees for the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. The program honors educators across the state for their dedication to students and their impact on the teaching profession.
Between them, Hill and Ray bring 35 years of classroom experience. Both say the heart of their work is the same: building relationships that help students believe in themselves.
Lori Hill, Hutchinson High School
Lori Hill teaches Principles of Biomedical Science, Intro to Health Care, Intro to Law & Public Safety, and Teaching as a Career at Hutchinson Career & Technical Education Academy (HCTEA). She is in her 20th year of teaching and her fourth at HCTEA. Before coming to Hutchinson, she taught at Salina South, Salina Central and Topeka High.
A Salina native, Hill earned a bachelor's degree from Kansas Wesleyan University and master's degrees from Kansas State University and Emporia State University. Before teaching, she worked as a relay operator for Southwestern Bell and as a dispatcher for the Salina Police Department.
Hill learned of her nomination from Mr. Ewy. She said she was surprised and excited, but the news also came with sadness.
"My mother passed away in August, and she always wanted to be a teacher," Hill said. "I wish I could have shared this with her before she passed away."
Solving a crime with science
Hill's Principles of Biomedical Science students spend part of the trimester working through a hands-on crime-scene investigation. Hill described a student-favorite lesson- DNA analysis: “By the time we get to DNA analysis, they have already figured out blood type and are trying to narrow down the suspects with the same blood to whom the DNA actually belong to. They create the agar gels, practice micropipetting with accuracy and precision, then they use the micropipettes to insert the DNA into the wells on the agar gels. Then they hook up the chambers and turn the electricity on and watch the gel electrophoresis pull the DNA. After about 30 minutes, they look at the gels under the transilluminator and match the patterns to discover whose DNA was at the crime scene. It’s real-world, and they absolutely love it!”
The power of reaching out
Hill has seen the "a-ha moment" light up a biology student's face when genetics finally clicked. She has watched a Medical Internship student, certain she wanted to be a physical therapist, take Hill's advice to job shadow at a pharmacy. The student loved it, earned a summer internship there and went on to major in pharmacy. “It was wonderful to feel like I had a small impact on someone discovering their true passion!” Hill said.
But the moment that stays with her most happened outside of a lesson. Years ago, a student of Hill's lost her mother to suicide. Hill, whose brother had died by suicide years earlier, sent the student a card to let her know she was not alone. The student sent a thank-you card in return.
Many years later, the two reconnected on social media. The former student said she still had Hill's card, and that Hill was the only teacher who had reached out during that difficult time. Hill told her she still had the thank-you card, too. "It made me realize that I was in the right profession, as well as the importance of relationships," Hill said.
Beyond the classroom
Hill co-sponsors HOSA-Future Health Professionals, serves on the HHS Site Council and co-leads the school's social committee. She also works part time for Saint Francis Ministries, facilitating online parenting classes.
Hill and her husband were married in June. Together they have six adult children, seven grandchildren, three dogs and a cat. She loves to read, admires Audrey Hepburn and has a passion for shoes. She "may or may not" own more than 150 pairs.
Jessica Ray, Lincoln-McCandless Elementary
Jessica Ray teaches second grade at Lincoln-McCandless Elementary and is in her 16th year of teaching. She taught fourth grade for 13 years before moving to second grade three years ago. Ray spent 12 years at Lincoln Elementary and moved to McCandless along with the rest of the Lincoln staff.
A Hutchinson native, Ray attended Hutchinson Community College and earned her bachelor's degree from Emporia State University and her master's degree from McPherson College. She received the Davis Foundation Teacher of the Year award in 2024.
Dr. Johnson, Dr. Young, Emily Moore, LME Principal, and Lisa Yantes, Director of Curriculum, visited her school to announce the nomination.
"I felt very honored to be chosen as the district nominee," Ray said. "I feel like my hard work and dedication is valued by the district."
The student who shaped her teaching
Ray still remembers a fourth-grader she taught early in her career. The student struggled to adjust at first, and building a positive relationship took time. Gradually, the two built trust and a connection that went far beyond the classroom.
"She taught me the importance of looking beyond a student's behavior to understand the child underneath, and recognizing that every student needs someone who believes in them," Ray said.
The two stayed in touch even after the student moved away. For Ray, it is a reminder that the relationships teachers build can last long after the school year ends.
"She will always be a meaningful part of my teaching journey and a reminder of why I chose this profession," she said.
More than academics
If Ray could tell the community one thing about today's classrooms, it would be that they are about much more than academics.
"Teachers are intentional about building a positive classroom culture where every student feels safe, valued, respected and welcome," Ray said. "Teachers are continually looking for ways to spark curiosity and get students excited about learning."
Beyond the classroom
Ray and her husband, Ian, who works at Sunflower Electric, have two daughters. Both attend Morgan Elementary and keep the family busy with their dance schedules.
Meet all of our amazing educators
Hill and Ray are two of the many dedicated educators who make Hutchinson Public Schools a great place to learn. Visit www.usd308.com/ktoy to read about our full list.