Alex Muninger and Kim Vail named Blue Valley’s nominees for Kansas Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Blue Valley educators Alex Muninger and Kim Vail who have been selected as the district’s nominees for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year award.

Kansas Teacher of the Year, a Kansas State Department of Education program, recognizes exemplary classroom teachers with five or more years of experience who are leaders in improving schools, student performance and the teaching profession.

 

Alex Muninger, a fourth grade teacher at Cottonwood Point Elementary, began his teaching career with Blue Valley Schools in 2014.

 

Muninger was honored to be recognized for his work in the classroom, crediting his extraordinary colleagues.

 

“Honestly, it’s just a team effort,” Muninger said. “When I looked up at the staff, it was just as much for them as it was for me. I feel very well supported by Blue Valley.”

 

Kim Vail, a sixth grade teacher at Aubry Bend Middle, began her teaching career with Blue Valley Schools in 2008.

 

Vail was grateful to be recognized for her teaching efforts among the many exemplary educators in the district.

 

“To be chosen out of a staff at Aubry Bend alone that is amazing and has so many talented people but then out of all of the great Blue Valley teachers, I’m just really honored,” Vail said.

 

Four regional selection committees will review the state’s nominees and select three elementary and three secondary teachers as regional semifinalists. From the semifinalists, one elementary and one secondary teacher will be selected as regional finalists for a total of eight Kansas Teacher of the Year honorees.