Amber Carithers, an English language arts teacher at Hutchinson High School, was named Region 1 finalists for the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Saturday. This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state.
In prior years, the Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist ceremony has taken place in person. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event took place virtually this year.
As a finalist for the Kansas Teacher of the Year distinction, Carithers receives a $2,000 cash award from Security Benefit, the major corporate partner for the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. In addition, she is eligible to be named Kansas Teacher of the Year, which will be announced during a ceremony Saturday, Sept 25, in Wichita.
Carithers was among six Teacher of the Year semifinalists from Region 1, which covers the first U.S. congressional district.
Also representing Hutchinson USD 308 in Kansas Teacher of the Year competition was Courtney Bleything, fifth grade teacher at Morgan Elementary School.