For Kylee (Stevens ’25) Garber, teaching is about more than helping children learn. It is about creating a classroom where every student feels safe, loved and capable of succeeding.
That commitment helped the 2025 MidAmerica Nazarene University graduate stand out during her first year at Prairie Creek Elementary School and earn the Kansas Horizon Award. The honor recognizes exemplary first-year PreK-12 teachers for their work in instruction, student assessment and classroom management.
Although the award came as a surprise, Kylee knows she invested significant effort in her students and school. While completing a master’s degree, she contributed new ideas to her teaching team and led a grade-level service project that grew to involve the entire school.
Inspired by a project she encountered through MNU’s education program, Kylee organized students in creating “Happy Kit” activity bags for children in hospital waiting rooms. A candy-cane-gram fundraiser generated more than $300, allowing students to assemble over 100 kits containing books, crayons, stickers, games and other activities.
“I feel like I did some more things than a typical first-year teacher,” Kylee said, while quickly crediting her teaching team for helping her succeed.
Kylee also credits MNU with preparing her for the classroom through more than 300 practicum hours and student teaching at Prairie Creek. Just as important were professors such as her advisor, Dr. Ruth Waggoner, professor of education, who modeled the personal investment Kylee now offers her students.
“The way those professors poured into me, I also want to pour into my students,” she said.
That commitment reflects Kylee’s purpose as an educator: creating a classroom where children feel safe, welcomed and ready to learn.
“Not every kid feels comfortable at home or has the support they need,” she said. “If they come to school and can get that there, I’m going to make them feel welcomed and like they are loved and are part of our classroom family.”
Kylee’s recognition continues a remarkable record for MNU graduates.
“In the last five years, we’ve had 21 education alumni earn state or national awards; that’s one in every seven grads,” said Dr. Jill Gonzalez-Bravo, chair of MNU’s School of Education. “For a school of our size, that’s a remarkable concentration of excellence.
Find out more about teacher education programs at MNU by visiting www.mnu.edu/pgs-education/.
