Dan Kemper, welding instructor at Four Rivers Career Center, is the March recipient of the Blue Jay Pride Award.

The Blue Jay Pride Award was introduced to recognize and showcase quality School District of Washington staff and the focus on the District’s core beliefs. Through peer nomination, individuals are able to acknowledge exceptional staff who positively impact the schools, district and community. 

The individual who is recognized each month will be presented with a traveling plaque and a gift bag.

Kemper’s nomination form stated the following:

“Mr. Kemper always goes above and beyond for his students. Being a leader in his industry, he is able to provide expert advice and imparts that knowledge into our students. Last year, he had a student win first place at Nationals; and while that student exemplified outstanding talent, what she really gained from Mr. Kemper is so much more. If you are lucky enough to have watched any number of her TikToks, she always shouts out what she learned from her teacher. But he also changed her life in many ways besides her amazing talent in welding. She credited him with helping her get through many personal trials in life, and that her classwork gave her something to focus on when times were tough. I'd find it hard to believe there is a more compassionate teacher out there - I mean you'd have to ask him about his photo album of her accomplishments. I guarantee he will smile like a proud father. But it isn't just one student. Another student(s) who was seriously injured in an accident, he went to the hospital to check on them and their family. He genuinely cares about all of his students. Every day he comes into work and I have the privilege to hear him inspire his students. He gets on their level, meets them in the middle, and does whatever it takes to ensure they learn a skill that they can take with them for the rest of their lives. No matter what they do in life, they will always be able to weld. They will always have a career to fall back on. They will always be able to provide for themselves. To round it all out, he has been a friendly and welcoming colleague to me as I started my journey at FRCC. I certainly hope he continues to inspire and lead many students in the years to come, just as he does every day.”

Kemper was presented the Blue Jay Pride Award traveling plaque by SDOW Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart. He also received a gift bag from First State Community Bank, represented by John Freitag.

Click here for more information on the Blue Jay Pride Award.

Dan Kemper

Welding Instructor, Four Rivers Career Center

Blue Jay Pride Award

March 2025

Dan Kemper was presented the Blue Jay Pride Award from SDOW Superintendent
Dr. Jennifer Kephart.

Dan Kemper was presented the Blue Jay Pride Award. From left are School District of Washington
Business Connection Coordinator Katelyn Huber, Four Rivers Career Center Director Philip King,
Kemper, SDOW Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart, and SDOW Assistant Superintendents
John McColloch and Dr. Rachael Franssen.