With a surprise addition to an all-school assembly and a special interruption of a staff meeting, Platte County School District announced its Teacher and Service Person of the Year in May. This year's Teacher of the Year is Cherie Thatcher, Special Education Teacher at Barry Elementary; and Service Person of the Year is Jon Brady, Permanent Substitute at Northland Career Center. Fellow staff members nominate their peers for consideration in both the Northland Chamber of Commerce's Excellence in Education honors, as well as the District's staff recognition program; then nomination forms are completed and finalists are interviewed.
From their nominations:
Cherie Thatcher
"For the past 15 years, Cherie has been an integral member of the self-contained autism program in the Platte County School District, creating a classroom and supporting a program where students thrive. Prior to that, she spent 11 years pioneering the district’s self-contained behavior program. Her ability to adapt, innovate, and advocate has set a high standard for excellence in special education.
In just two years at Barry Elementary, Cherie has become a pillar of the school community. Her classroom is a place of innovation, structure, and compassion, where students with complex needs receive the individualized support necessary for success. She is known for thinking outside the box, designing creative solutions tailored to each student.
Cherie’s influence extends beyond her students—she is a leader and mentor. She invests deeply in the paraprofessionals who support her classroom, ensuring they are trained, empowered, and prepared for the challenges of special education. As the special education liaison for the district, she has enhanced collaboration and strengthened support systems, making a lasting impact on students and educators alike.
Her work is not just a profession; it is a calling."
Jon Brady
"Jon Brady has been a part of Northland Career Center (NCC) for almost three years now and there is no way our building would be the same without him! Jon serves as our building permanent sub, and he also teaches a high school class in the morning that focuses on introducing freshmen and sophomores to careers in the trades. The role of a permanent sub oftentimes is not traditionally a role that people think of as “high impact,” but Jon Brady has taken his role and transformed it into something remarkable.
We have many different programs at NCC ranging from construction, to law enforcement, to teaching professions, and Jon is like a chameleon, always using his own background knowledge and life experiences to enhance sub plans. Jon is never afraid to try something new, and never backs down from a challenge.
He has that “it factor” that draws students to him, and when he speaks, they listen. He always has a story, or words of advice that students take to heart, and he aims to not only teach students the content, but to prepare them for life as well."