LSR7 teacher named Missouri 2026 Teacher of the Year semifinalist

LSR7 2025 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Aubrey Shortino, has been named a semifinalist for Missouri 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Shortino, a kindergarten teacher at Trailridge Elementary School, was named LSR7 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony on April 2, 2025.

Mrs. Shortino has spent the last 16 years teaching in the Lee's Summit School District. She's been teaching for the 19 years.

Her teaching philosophy is that every student can learn. “It is my drive and passion to engage students in the joys of understanding their world around them,” said Shortino.

Shortino involves her kindergarteners in projects to support people in the community and supports her school’s broadcast team, even supporting them at the Missouri School Board Association student showcase.

A committee made up of representatives from the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce and the School District selected Shortino out of a pool of 11 candidates, all recipients of the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Teaching or Teacher of Distinction awards. 

Shortino is a 2025 Teacher of Distinction award winner. She received the Excellence in Teaching award in 2023.