Monument teacher named Teacher of the Year

A teacher at Lewis Palmer High School was named the 2015 Colorado Teacher of the Year.

Kathy Thirkell is a math teacher in Lewis Palmer School District 38. She was selected for the honor based on her experience, passion and expertise from her 33 years as a math teacher.

As Teacher of the Year, Thirkell will get professional development opportunities through the National Teacher of the Year program. She will be invited to a ceremony at the White House and will go to Space Camp for a week.

Sandi Brandl, principal of Lewis-Palmer High School says Thirkell’s dedication to her students is unmatched. She says, “If I need to find Kathy before school, it’s easy. She’s in her classroom helping kids. Outside of school she is constantly working to improve her craft, from learning how to incorporate technology in the classroom to updating curriculum to meet the needs of her students.”