The Teacher of the Year award. This prestigious honor reflects the heart and soul of our school. While every educator at Halstead embodies dedication and passion, this year we are especially proud to recognize the extraordinary Mr. Ward Willis.
Mr. Willis is the epitome of a selfless educator. With kindness, compassion, and a sense of humor that can brighten any classroom, he has become a beloved figure in the Halstead community. For an incredible 30 years, he has poured his heart into teaching, mentoring, and inspiring generations of students. His legacy is one of academic excellence, personal growth, and unwavering dedication.
But Mr. Willis’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. As a coach that has coached both football and track, he has instilled discipline, teamwork, and perseverance in countless student-athletes. Whether it’s on the field or at practice, his guidance helps students grow not only in skill, but in character.
His dedication to our school’s spirit and pride is unmatched. Over the years, Mr. Willis has personally led efforts to bring in new uniforms for our teams, often raising funds himself to help cover the costs. He’s spent countless hours after school—on his own time—painting our beloved mascots in the gym, freshening up the space and lifting school spirit with every brushstroke. He does it all not for recognition, but simply to make our school a better, brighter place for everyone.
Most recently, he’s brought his passion for hands-on learning to life through a new greenhouse project with the 6th grade class. This initiative encourages students to explore science, sustainability, and responsibility in a real-world setting—planting seeds both literally and figuratively for future growth.
What sets Mr. Willis apart is not just his commitment to education, but his humility and unwavering passion for helping students become the best versions of themselves. He leads with integrity, teaches with joy, and serves with a spirit that uplifts everyone around him.
We are beyond grateful to have Mr. Ward Willis as a pillar of our Dragons family. Congratulations on being named the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year—an honor so richly deserved!