[00:00:00] **Announcer:**
It's time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. From the latest school and district news updates on various district hot topics and opportunities to meet all of those that help make LPS great, *In the Loop with LPS* is here to provide yet another opportunity for us to stay connected with you.

[00:00:22] **Announcer:**
So let's get started and send you to the longtime Director of Communications with Liberty Public Schools and your host of *In the Loop with LPS*, Dallas Ackerman.

[00:00:34] **Dallas Ackerman:**
We welcome everyone back. It is time for another *In the Loop with LPS* podcast, which is the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. You guessed it — my name is Dallas Ackerman. I’m the Director of Communications, and I’m so glad this month to be joined by the recently named LPS District Teacher of the Year. He is Mr. Kurt Gates, social studies teacher from Liberty North High School.

[00:01:03] **Dallas Ackerman:**
We made the surprise announcement back on April the ninth. What began as an announcement of who won the March Madness—

[00:01:14] **Kurt Gates:**
Basketball.

[00:01:15] **Dallas Ackerman:**
—contest quickly transitioned into naming you the District Teacher of the Year. How did you feel that Wednesday afternoon?

[00:01:26] **Kurt Gates:**
Well, I was really disappointed I didn’t win my bracket. Auburn was my pick, and they made it to the Final Four, so I thought I had a chance. But no — it was awesome. It was a surprise, and what made it extra special was my parents coming down from Nebraska to surprise me. Having my whole family there made it really meaningful.

[00:01:59] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Just days before that, Corey Thomas and I visited your classroom under the premise of filming a district video. Did you have any sense that something bigger was going on?

[00:02:29] **Kurt Gates:**
There was a little bit of a Spidey sense, but you guys make videos all the time. It felt believable. We have so many outstanding teachers in the district that you never think something like that is going to be about you, so it really was a surprise.

[00:03:03] **Dallas Ackerman:**
For those unfamiliar with the Teacher of the Year process, each building nominates a representative, and those nominations move forward at the district level. What does it mean to be nominated by your peers?

[00:04:02] **Kurt Gates:**
It means a lot. Liberty North has so many exceptional teachers. Every nominee is deserving, and to be chosen by your peers is really special. I’ve been around a long time, and I’ve had a lot of connections through students, colleagues, and families, and I’m honored that they thought of me.

[00:05:04] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Let’s talk about your journey. You’re originally from Nebraska.

[00:05:32] **Kurt Gates:**
I’m from Papillion, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha. I went to the University of Nebraska and originally thought I’d be a business major, but quickly realized that wasn’t for me. I had incredible social studies teachers growing up, and I knew I wanted to contribute to the community, so teaching felt right.

[00:06:53] **Kurt Gates:**
My wife Melissa was pursuing graduate school, which took us to Southern Illinois University. I taught at Carbondale High School, and my second year I took on AP Government — that ended up being a defining moment in my career.

[00:07:19] **Kurt Gates:**
We moved to Liberty in 2001 to be closer to family. Kansas City was a midpoint between Nebraska and central Missouri, and Liberty felt like the right place.

[00:08:11] **Dallas Ackerman:**
You never know when you move somewhere if it’ll be one year or twenty-five.

[00:08:12] **Kurt Gates:**
Exactly. And here we are, twenty-five years later.

[00:11:22] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Your wife Melissa was also a District Teacher of the Year, which makes you somewhat of a power couple.

[00:11:37] **Kurt Gates:**
People have mentioned that. She’s an incredible educator, and her work inspiring future teachers is amazing. We’re fortunate that so many of those students come back to teach in Liberty.

[00:12:54] **Dallas Ackerman:**
There’s a growing need for new teachers. What would your pitch be to someone considering education?

[00:13:39] **Kurt Gates:**
The biggest reward is helping students grow. No day is ever the same. The quality of life, the time with family, and the sense of community are huge benefits. You may not make as much money as in the private sector, but the non-material rewards are incredibly meaningful.

[00:18:51] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Teaching government during such politically charged times can’t be easy. How do you navigate that?

[00:18:51] **Kurt Gates:**
My rule has always been not to tell students what to think, but to get them to think. We focus on critical thinking, current events, and understanding processes rather than pushing opinions.

[00:22:08] **Kurt Gates:**
Listening to different perspectives is essential. The better you understand the other side, the better you understand your own views.

[00:23:27] **Dallas Ackerman:**
What’s changed most in education over your career?

[00:23:27] **Kurt Gates:**
Technology. I started when the internet was just coming on the scene. Now we’re entering another revolution with AI. Whether we like it or not, it’s here, and we have to figure out how to use it effectively.

[00:26:18] **Dallas Ackerman:**
What advice would you give a first-year teacher?

[00:26:18] **Kurt Gates:**
Observe other teachers. You can’t do this alone. Learn from others, borrow strategies, and build your toolbox.

[00:30:14] **Dallas Ackerman:**
You’ll be speaking at Liberty North’s commencement this year.

[00:30:15] **Kurt Gates:**
It’s a privilege. I’ve known many of these students for years, and it’s special to celebrate their journey.

[00:31:43] **Kurt Gates:**
The days are long, but the years go fast.

[00:32:12] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Time for three random questions. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you do?

[00:32:22] **Kurt Gates:**
At one point, I wanted to be a hotel manager. Later, maybe something with data analytics.

[00:33:29] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Skydive or deep-sea dive?

[00:33:29] **Kurt Gates:**
Deep-sea dive.

[00:34:21] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Democrat or Republican?

[00:34:21] **Kurt Gates:**
No comment.

[00:34:46] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Kurt, you are incredibly deserving of this honor. Thank you for everything you do for Liberty Public Schools.

[00:35:20] **Kurt Gates:**
Thank you for having me. I really appreciate it.

[00:35:25] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Kurt Gates, the 2025–2026 Liberty Public Schools District Teacher of the Year. Thanks for listening.

[00:35:43] **Announcer:**
Thanks for choosing to spend a few minutes with us and getting in the loop with LPS. This has been a production of the Liberty Public Schools Communications Office.

[00:36:09] **Announcer:**
For more about this podcast and all you need to know about LPS, visit our website at lps53.org.