03-05-2025
Springfield Public Schools names teacher of the year
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Danielle O'Neil was named 2025-26 Teacher of the Year for Springfield Public Schools (SPS) on Friday, May 2, during Celebrate SPS, an event hosted by Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.
According to a press release, O'Neil is a physical education teacher at Sherwood Elementary School.
She started her career with SPS in 2016 and taught at Pershing Middle School until 2018. She then taught for a year at Delaware Elementary School from 2018-2019 before transitioning to her current role at Sherwood.
'I believe that movement is for everyone and PE should be a bridge between school, home and the larger community,' O'Neill said in the release. 'I want my students to know that they are seen, valued and supported, and I want their families to feel that same sense of belonging.'
Four additional finalists were also celebrated during the event:
Amanda Brown, Sunshine Elementary, third grade teacher
Rachelle Peak, Launch Virtual Learning, communication arts teacher
Tanner Schmidt, Jeffries Elementary, second grade teacher
Heidi Stagner, Field Elementary, art teacher.
O'Neil will continue on to compete in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's regional competition.
Winners at the regional level will advance to the Missouri State Teacher of the Year competition.
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