Kilker B-H Teacher Of The Year

    Rachelle Kilker always knew she wanted to go into education. When she had a positive field experience her sophomore year of college, she foresaw her future niche. Special education. Almost 20 years later, Kilker still finds enjoyment in that area as she teaches at Britton-Hecla School. Those around her also appreciate her contributions to the district, for which she was recently recognized as B-H’s Teacher of the Year. 
    Kilker is a Hecla native and graduated from there in 2001. She matriculated to Northern State University in Aberdeen. By year two of college, she set her sights on special education. Kilker student taught at Britton-Hecla, working in that department with longtime educator Deb Hannasch. 
    Upon graduation, the newly minted elementary special education teacher worked in the Aberdeen school district for a year and a half. During her second year, an opening came up at Britton-Hecla. Kilker was happy that though it was the middle of the school year, she could make the move and get back to her roots. 
    “I always knew that I wanted to work in a smaller school,” Kilker explained. She was also recently married and her husband Preston was working in Britton so the move made sense. “We also wanted to start a family and the idea of working in the same school where my own kids would eventually be was very appealing.” 
    At B-H, Kilker teaches kindergarten through fifth grade special education students. She started at the school working alongside Hannasch and Carrie James. She also enjoyed that she got to work with several former Hecla teachers who had taught her. Later, Brie Amacher would join her as a co-teacher for elementary SPED. “I have been lucky to work with many great educators over the years,” confirmed Kilker. 
    When it comes to her students, Kilker says she enjoys the challenge. “Special education can be a little more difficult at times,” she acknowledges. “But I find it rewarding giving a voice to kids that often don’t have one.” 
    Kilker added another special part of her job is the breakthroughs she often gets to see with her students. “When a student who has worked really hard finally gets a concept or reaches a goal, that is a big deal. It’s great to see them achieve something they’ve worked for.” 
    “I work with great kids and great parents, as well as wonderful coworkers and a supportive administration” emphasized the teacher. “After all these years, I still enjoy coming to work. It’s fun and exciting and I still want to do it every day.” 
    Those around her certainly appreciate her contributions to the district as well. B-H Elementary Principal and Special Education Director Kyla Richter said, “The thing that stands out the most about Mrs. Kilker is her unique way of making every child feel genuinely special. ‘Her kids’ always have a voice, feel cared for and are also held accountable for their responsibility as students.”
    Those who nominated Kilker for the Teacher of the Year award echoed those sentiments. One nominator stated, “Special Education  Teachers receive students with a wide variety of needs, abilities, goals, and challenges. Rachelle is relentless in ensuring her students make progress every single day. She is always looking for ways to improve her kids’ lives by seeking best practices. She provides her students with the much-needed respect they deserve and meets them at their level, wherever that may be.”
    Another nominator added, “Mrs. Kilker goes above and beyond. She works hard to remain positive, and she really loves her students. She makes her students feel noticed and capable.”
    For this, Kilker was named the 2024 Britton-Hecla Teacher of the Year. When Richter showed up in her classroom with flowers a couple of weeks ago, the honoree admitted she was taken aback. “I was super overwhelmed,” she said. “I was humbled, especially since we have so many great teachers at B-H.”
    Even though she’s now a teacher of the year, Kilker doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. She hopes to continue enjoying her school, coworkers and students for years to come.
Outside of school, Kilker enjoys reading and spending time with her family, following her kids around to their many activities. She and her husband Preston have three children: Lincoln, Henry and Mia.