Dodge City teacher nominated for Kansas Teacher of the Year
by: Yvonda Offerle
USD 443 Public Information Officer
Dodge City, KS(westernkansasnews.com) When Kris Moore graduated from Dodge City High School, he didn’t know if he should become a teacher or go into construction. All he knew was that he wanted to help others. Now as the Construction teacher at DCHS, he has the best of both worlds. Moore is this year’s nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year at the secondary level.
“To be recognized in this manner, for doing something good for our students, is a huge accomplishment for me,” Moore said. “It is very rewarding.”
Moore has been with the district for 14 years.
“I have taught at the fourth grade level, taught K-2 summer school, and now teach 9-12 Construction courses,” he said. “I am also a dual credit instructor for Dodge City Community College in the Construction Technology courses.”
Moore was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning a teaching degree from Fort Hays State University and a master’s degree from Newman University. Moore’s wife is a kindergarten teacher at Linn Elementary School. Together they have three children.
“I find the most challenging part of teaching to be time,” Moore said. “Things can often seem to be rushed due to the amount of things to teach versus the amount of time allowed.”
The last assignment in Moore’s class relates to his biggest reward as a teacher.
“The assignment is to report back,” he said. “That’s when I get to see firsthand what they were able to accomplish. As educators, we are all involved but often times don’t get to see the end result. I do. Some report once, some report yearly. We have some very successful students.”
Principal Jacque Feist said that as DCHS moves closer to the implementation of a Pathway Program, it was ‘only fitting’ that a Career and Technical Education teacher be nominated for the honor.
“Mr. Moore has been one of the most outspoken supporters of our school moving in this direction to help students connect their high school educational experiences directly to future employment opportunities,” Feist said. “As the Building Trades instructor, he is front and center in working with his students to not only demonstrate the work they do in building a home each year, but also to help his students realize the wide range of job opportunities available to them in the area of construction and design.
According to Moore, this nomination has to be his proudest moment as an educator; but it’s not the only one.
“Another thing I get to see every year is my students start our house project and nine months later, they complete a finished project,” he said. “The next day, they take their parents through the house and they are so proud of their child. It’s very rewarding.”
