Lincoln County School District #2 teachers Katie McKeown and Heather Mattson have been selected as the district winners of the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Recognition Program. Both women will advance to the state program. Winners for the 2026 honor will be announced this spring.

McKeown teaches 5th grade at Osmond Elementary School, and Mattson serves as an English and Special Education teacher at Star Valley High School. Both have worked very hard, spending years devoting themselves to giving their students the tools and the love to grow academically and personally.

Mattson feels that the most valuable aspect of teaching is “building relationships with kids and co-workers.”  Supporting students as they grow is Mattson’s top priority, and having them become part of her life, not just during their time in school, but as they launch into adulthood and become contributing members of society, is her greatest joy.

“My most meaningful experience teaching was probably my best day teaching,” said Mattson as she shared her story of a student who was uncertain if he would have the credits to graduate.  “We were really worried that he might not be able to graduate,” but he visited her room every day, working to complete assignments and pass exams.  “We didn’t even know the day before if he was going to graduate, but he did, and at graduation, he hugged me and said, ‘This is because of you.’ That is the most amazing thing that a kid can say!”

Mattson knows that her role is to help students feel safe. “If they look at you as a trusted adult, someone they can come to when they need something” or have something important to share, “that is a victory!”

McKeown is “humbled” to have received the recognition. “I feel like there are so many really incredible teachers in our district. We are really lucky to have the incredible teachers and administrators that we have in Star Valley.”

Her focus in the classroom is to make history and social science as hands-on and relevant as possible to her students.  “History is hard to teach because none of us were actually there, and nobody learns from a worksheet. I try to come up with ways that make their experience engaging so that my students become life-long lovers of history. Being a good citizen is really important to me, so I try to help them become one.”

She is extremely grateful and honored by the award. “It’s always good to have someone recognize your heard work, and have someone see it and value it. That means a lot to me.”