From USD 428
Great Bend Public Schools (USD 428) is proud to announce Grace Tuttle and Luke Maneth as the district’s nominees for the 2027 Kansas Horizon Award. The award, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), recognizes exemplary educators who have demonstrated outstanding teaching performance during their first year in the classroom.
USD 428 selected one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher to represent the district at the regional level.
· Grace Tuttle, a 1st-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University after serving as a special education paraprofessional. In addition to leading her classroom, Tuttle represented 1st grade on the district’s Science Vertical Alignment Team during her first year.
· Luke Maneth, a secondary science teacher at Great Bend High School teaching Zoology and Human Body Systems, holds a degree in Microbiology from the University of Kansas and earned his Master’s in Secondary Education through the Robert Noyce Post-Baccalaureate program at Fort Hays State University. Maneth also serves as a sponsor for National Honor Society, Pep Club, HOSA, and Youth of Tomorrow.
"Both Grace and Luke have demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact across their buildings and throughout our entire district," said Khris Thexton, Superintendent of USD 428. "Their ability to build meaningful relationships with students, step up into leadership roles, and bring high-level energy into the classroom every day sets a standard of excellence. We are extremely proud to have them on our team and representing USD 428."
Reflecting on her first year in the classroom, Grace Tuttle highlighted the lasting impact of student connections and professional growth:
"When thinking back to my first year of teaching and some of my best moments I had, they all include the relationships I was able to form with my students. I set new goals for this school year that go beyond 'surviving' and instead focus on how I can push my students to thrive. I am entering my second year of teaching with so much more confidence and I am excited to build another class family with my students!" — Grace Tuttle, 1st Grade Teacher, Lincoln Elementary
Luke Maneth emphasized community involvement and creating meaningful learning environments:
"My journey to the field of education ignited a passion for building meaningful relationships and helping both students and colleagues recognize their potential by creating environments where they feel valued, supported, and excited to learn and grow. What excites me most about year two is feeling more confident in who I am as an educator and having the opportunity to continue building on what I’ve learned." — Luke Maneth, Science Teacher, Great Bend High School
Tuttle & Maneth will advance to the next round of application and review, representing USD 428 in the Kansas Horizon Award Program.
About the Kansas Horizon Award Program
The Kansas Horizon Award program honors full-time novice classroom teachers who have successfully completed their first year of teaching in an accredited Pre-K through 12 Kansas school.
Eligible candidates include teachers with standard licenses and those completing alternative routes under pre-standard licensure. Nomination applications are postmarked by Oct. 9 of the teacher's second year. Regional selection committees appointed by the Kansas State Department of Education review nominations across the state's four U.S. congressional districts to select up to four elementary and four secondary winners per region. Award recipients will be formally recognized in February during the KEEN State Education Conference in Topeka.