This year marked the 21st Annual Teacher of the Year Awards, and we are incredibly excited to share that 2026 was our biggest year yet!

During the month of March, local students, parents, coworkers, administrators, and community members submitted an incredible 263 teacher nominations, compared to 212 nominations last year. Voting took place throughout the month of April, where the contest received a record-breaking 29,026 votes total, a huge increase from last year’s 17,767 votes.

We were also thrilled to see participation continue to grow across our communities, with 34 schools participating in this year’s contest, 8 more schools than last year. It is amazing to see how much support this program continues to receive each year and how many communities come together to recognize the teachers making a difference in students’ lives every day.

The 2026 Teacher of the Year Top 3 Winners, listed in alphabetical order by last name, are:

• Mrs. Kristee Brady, Highland Middle School
• Mrs. Jessie Buehnerkemper, Leclaire Elementary School
• Mrs. KaCee Smith, Medora Intermediate School

Each winner received:

• $500 for classroom use
• A custom engraved glass book Teacher of the Year trophy
• A classroom pizza party celebration with their students hosted by the Madison Communications Marketing Team

One of the most rewarding parts of this program is hearing the heartfelt nominations submitted by students, parents, and fellow educators. The continued growth of the contest shows just how much appreciation our communities have for the teachers who go above and beyond each day.

Over the past 21 years, Madison Communications has proudly invested thousands of dollars back into local schools through this program. Supporting education and giving back to the communities we serve has always been an important part of who we are as a local company.

Madison Communications would like to congratulate all 263 teachers who were nominated this year for the positive impact they make in classrooms throughout our communities. We also want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for their favorite teachers during this year’s contest.

To view the complete list of 2026 nominated teachers, please visit:
https://gomadison.com/teacher-of-the-year/