Two Blue Valley teachers were recently recognized for their innovation in the classroom. Kelley Tuel and Chris Ollig were surprised as winners of the 2023 Innovative Educator Awards presented by the Blue Valley Educational Foundation. The annual grants, funded by donors Deb Grimes & Ken Selzer, celebrate innovative teaching methods to engage students.

Tuel, a veterinary medicine instructor at Blue Valley CAPS, has inspired students to pursue their passion for animals and was the driving force in developing the program into what it is today. Ollig, a science teacher at Blue Valley North, is known for an approach to instruction that fosters creativity in scientific study, while also sponsoring North’s Environmental Club and Prairie Project.

Congratulations to Kelley and Chris on this well-deserved recognition!