Latest news with #KansasTeacheroftheYear
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kansas teacher of the year finalists honored for excellence
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Two teachers from south-central Kansas have been named Region 4 finalists for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year award. Susan Rogers, a first-grade teacher at Derby Hills Elementary, and Jason Peters, a high school math teacher at Hesston High School, were recognized during a ceremony held Saturday at the Wichita Marriott Hotel. The Kansas Teacher of the Year program, organized by the Kansas State Department of Education, honors outstanding educators in both elementary and secondary classrooms. Rogers and Peters now advance as two of eight finalists statewide who will be considered for the overall Kansas Teacher of the Year title, set to be announced Sept. 20 in Wichita. As regional finalists, each will receive a $2,000 award from Security Benefit, a longtime supporter of the program. They were selected from a pool of six Region 4 semifinalists, representing the state's 4th congressional district. Also honored during the ceremony were: Shanda Busby, sixth-grade teacher at Challenger Intermediate (Goddard USD 265) Todd Flory, fourth-grade teacher at Wheatland Elementary (Andover USD 385) Jamie Sundgren, science teacher at Flinthills Middle School (Flinthills USD 492) Lacey Woods, family and consumer science teacher at Andover Central High School (Andover USD 385) Each semifinalist received a commemorative red marble apple from The Master Teacher in Manhattan. In total, 136 teachers across the state were nominated this year, according to a news release from the Kansas State Department of Education. Regional panels select three elementary and three secondary semifinalists per region, with one finalist from each category moving to the state competition. Finalists in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program serve as education ambassadors, promoting teaching excellence statewide. The selected Kansas Teacher of the Year will also be a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
TPS ‘Kansas Teacher of the Year' nominees on morning show
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka Public Schools (TPS) Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson brought two teacher of the year nominees with her on the 27 News morning show on Tuesday. Mr. Troy St. Clair and Mr. Michael Kates are two TPS educators and are nominees for Kansas Teacher of the Year. This is the fourth consecutive year the district is proud to celebrate a TPS Kansas Teacher of the Year honoree or finalist. Dr. Aarion Gray, with TPS, said in an email, 'This year, we're honored to recognize two outstanding TPS educators who represent the excellence, innovation, and diversity within our district.' Kansas gov. vetoes child custody bill Dr. Gray went on to say, 'Mr. St. Clair, who has served the Topeka community for 16 years, not only teaches PE but also leads district-wide PE curriculum planning and coordinates TPS's annual Family Fitness Fun Night, promoting wellness for families across Shawnee County. In his speech at the awards ceremony on Sunday, April 6, he shared that his approach incorporates innovative strategies—like robotics and theme-based activities—to foster student engagement and build meaningful classroom connections.' Dr. Anderson talked about the excitement for the school district and 27 News asked the nominees questions about how their teaching career started and what this nomination means to them. To hear more about the nominees and what it means for the school district, you can watch the interview above. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
February Teacher of the Month: Nicolas Carr
TECUMSEH (KSNT) – Music has long been a passion for Nicolas Carr. When he was a senior in high school at Washburn Rural, he got the opportunity to direct and make music with his friends. It was at the moment he knew he wanted to make this his career. 'So I went to Washburn University and then K-State as well, bachelor's and masters in music education, and I've loved every minute of it,' Carr said. With 20 years of teaching at Shawnee Heights High School under his belt, 17 of which as the assistant director of bands and orchestras, Carr made the switch to his current role three years ago. January Teacher of the Month: Chelsey Davies 'Way back at the beginning I student taught to be a choir director right here in the classroom that I teach in now,' Carr said. 'So, when that job opened up it just seemed like a perfect fit to make that shift and to become a choir director which was my ultimate goal.' While becoming a choir director was his ultimate goal, Shawnee Heights High School Principal Ed West said that the students mean more to him than the job, and that's what makes him a great teacher. 'His main priority is students,' West said. 'As excellent as he is as a content area teacher, choir director in this particular situation, his students are more important to him. And you see that as people come back and visit with him, and the stories that they tell, the number of students that he's still working with outside of school.' For Carr, he said being able to see his students accomplish something they didn't think they could do is what makes the job all worth it. December Teacher of the Month: Jamie Bazil 'We all love our content, that's why we teach it, but it's those relationships you build,' Carr said. 'Seeing a student succeed when they didn't even know they could do that thing. Whatever that is, performing, or being part of a group, it's just so emotionally fulfilling.' Not only is Carr our February Teacher of the Month, but he'll be representing the Shawnee Heights School District for the Kansas Teacher of the Year award. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
