PITTSBURG, Kan. — George Nettels Elementary Library Media Specialist Lori Wilks was named 2026 Educator of the Year at the recent Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet for her many years of impacting children’s lives.
“I’ve worked all my life to help other people and to hopefully touch children’s lives and make their lives better and to be a positive influence on their lives,” Wilks said.
Wilks said she wanted to be an educator at a young age, dove in with both feet and never looked back.
For 35 years, Wilks has helped educate young minds in the USD 250 school district. She taught preschool, first and second grades at Lakeside Elementary for the first five years of her career. Wilks went on to teach third grade at George Nettles for 15 years.
She went back to school and in 2008 graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Library Media Specialist degree, and in 2011, became the Library Media Specialist for George Nettels.
Wilks has wanted to be a teacher since she was five years old.
“I remember walking on the curb of my Grandpa Nicoletti’s driveway and thinking, ‘I can’t be a nurse, because I do not like blood, so I guess I will be a teacher,’ since those two occupations were seen as the two highest regarded careers in our family at that time,” Wilks said. “After that decision, I could not wait to teach swimming lessons and join the Kansas Teacher’s Credit Union, since you had to be a teacher to be a member and my dad was a member.”
Her father, Gary Pernot, opened the first skill center for students with learning disabilities in the state of Kansas at Girard High School. He also taught math at GHS and drove a school bus for 17 years. He ended his career as principal at Girard Middle School.
“I always loved going to work with him, riding the bus with him and being around the school setting as much as I possibly could,” Wilks said.
During her years of teaching, Wilks has been on numerous committees and boards, including the Junior Dragon Football Board, District Leadership Team Committee, District Leadership in Technology Team, Train the Trainer, Curriculum Councils and many more. She taught summer school for many years, was a KKids sponsor, and currently teaches After School Academy. She also coached volleyball, basketball and track at Pittsburg Community Middle School for three years.
Wilks has received a $3,000 Pritchett grant for books from the book fair and has received $500 foundation grants for career, robotic, and resources for the school.
Outside of the district, Wilks has volunteered in the community for many events including Child Advocacy Center spaghetti feed, taking care of children for Parent University, helping during the Salvation Army Christmas pick up, collecting toys for Toys for Tots, collecting pop tabs for the Joplin Ronald McDonald House, and many more.
Wilks has been recognized on many occasions including the 2023 Superintendent award, 2021 USD 250 Distinguished Service Award and McDonald’s Outstanding Educator Award. She was the runner up for KTCCU Teacher of the year award and was nominated for Kansas Teacher of the Year 1998 and 1999.
One of Wilks’ prized possessions is a handmade quilt of bookshelves with her name on it. The quilt was sewn by Marsh Sands and Christi Pinamonti, grandmother and mother, respectively, to three students she taught throughout the years. She was also gifted a quilt with all her students’ handprints after her first year of teaching.
“I like to listen to our students and staff and truly want for each child and adult to feel heard and loved,” Wilks said. “I also love making bonds with my students. I have the privilege of working with students for six years, and I get to watch them grow into amazing adults.”
Wilks said she is thankful for every staff member she works with, especially Library Assistant Lindsay Hayes and Computer Teacher and Technology Assistant who work directly with her.
“I have truly appreciated everyone who I have worked with who have become a part of my family,” she said. “Especially my library team that helps us run a well-oiled program that provides technology, materials, resources, and support to everyone in our school daily.”
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
