04/24/2026
Congrats to our LCMS orchestra teacher, Kristen Ferguson, for being named Outstanding Educator of the Year🙂🎻
Congratulations to 2026 Eisinger Teacher of the Year, Emily Menges, and Outstanding Educator, Kristen Ferguson! We are so proud of these incredibly deserving educators. ❤💙
✨2026 EISINGER TEACHER OF THE YEAR: EMILY MENGES ✨
Emily teaches algebra, geometry, precalculus, and calculus at Capital City High School. She began her teaching career with the Jefferson City School District in 2014 when she first worked at the Simonsen Ninth Grade Center teaching algebra and geometry while also coaching girls soccer for Jefferson City High School.
Emily has taught at Capital City High School since it opened in 2019. In 2024 and 2025 her students earned a 100 percent pass rate on AP Exams for AP precalculus, AP calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC. Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rockhurst University. She also acquired a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction as well as a specialist degree in mathematics education from the University of Missouri.
“My goal, my purpose as a teacher, is to help shape and sharpen my students to become the best versions of themselves during the time I have them, so that they can be successful and fulfilled regardless of where life takes them. After 12 years of teaching, I now recognize that building a love for math is not my greatest contribution as a teacher, but rather shaping my students as people.”
✨ 2026 EISINGER OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR: KRISTEN FERGUSON ✨
Kristen Ferguson is the 2026 Eisinger Outstanding Educator. Kristen teaches orchestra to students at Lewis and Clark Middle School and several elementary schools. She joined the district in 2017 as a music teacher at Callaway Hills Elementary, where she served until taking on her current role in 2019. Kristen began her career in 2015 with the Cole R-1 School District as a K-8 music teacher.
Kristen earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree in music with an emphasis in Kodaly from the University of Central Missouri. She also earned an education specialist degree in K-12 leadership from Northwest Missouri State University.
“Music and education have shaped my life for as long as I can remember. I did not simply choose teaching; I grew into it, guided by family, inspired by remarkable educators, and affirmed by the students whose growth gives my work purpose. As an educator, my greatest contribution is creating an environment where students feel trusted, capable, and valued – not just as musicians, but as people.”
Congratulations again to our amazing Teacher of the Year finalists: 👏
- Aubrey Allen, engineering teacher at Capital City High School
- Amanda Burks, third grade teacher at Belair Elementary
- Shelley Kleene, instructional coach at Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy
- Sean Lovelace, math teacher at Jefferson City High School
Thank you to all of these wonderful educators for their tireless dedication to their students, their abundant talent, and their immense passion for education! 💫
