Kansas Teacher of the Year
Veteran Teams

2024

Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY)

Taylor Bussinger, Olathe USD 233

Finalists:

  • Cherryl Delacruz, Topeka USD 501
  • Gretchen Elliott, Smoky Valley USD 400
  • Joanna Farmer, Wichita USD 259
  • Melissa Haney, Goddard USD 265
  • Erin PIttenger, Rock Creek USD 323
  • Michelle Tapko, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Fonda Telthorst, Piper USD 203

 

 

2023

Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY)

Brian Skinner, Newton USD 373

Finalists:

  • Jessica Gazzano, Spring Hill USD 230
  • Erica Huggard, Emporia USD 253
  • Mallory Keefe, Cheney USD 268
  • Pamela Munoz, Topeka USD 501
  • Kendal Norberg, Louisburg USD 416
  • Jaimie Swindler, Ottawa USD 290
  • Carly Torres, Hutchinson USD 308

 

2022

Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY)

Suzanne L. Stevenson, Dodge City USD 443

Finalists:

  • Amber R. Carithers, Hutchinson USD 308
  • Natalie Johnson-Berry, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Amanda Ketterling, Bonner Springs USD 204
  • Lisa E. Martinez, Seaman USD 345
  • Megan L. O’Neill, Ottawa USD 290
  • Kristin Salazar, Goddard USD 265
  • Laurie Thisius, Cheney USD 268

 

2020

KTOY/National Teacher of the Year (NTOY)

Tabatha C. Rosproy, Winfield USD 465

Finalists:

  • Kara E. Belew,, Andover USD 385
  • Amy R. Hillman, Olathe USD 233
  • Shawn Hornung, Wamego USD 320
  • Stefanie M. Lane, Clay County USD 379
  • Julie Loevenstein, Basehor-Linwood USD 458
  • Lara K. McDonald, Auburn-Washburn USD 437
  • Melissa K. Molteni, Shawnee Mission USD 512

 

2019

KTOY

Whitney Morgan, Kansas City USD 500

Finalists:

  • Jennifer S. Brown, Geary County USD 475
  • Megan Clark, De Soto USD 232
  • Signe A. Cook, Great Bend USD 428
  • Nicole L. Corn, Lawrence USD 497
  • Lan T. Huynh, Wichita USD 259
  • Sharon L. Kuchinski, Leavenworth USD 453
  • Tim “T.J.” Warsnak, Halstead-Bentley USD 440

 

2018

KTOY

Samantha J. Neill, Buhler USD 313

Finalists:

  • Jennifer L. Donovan, De Soto USD 232
  • Jamie D. Manhart, Silver Lake USD 372
  • Megan E. Nagel, Newton USD 373
  • Angela R. Powers, Olathe USD 233
  • Gilbert R. Still Jr., Dodge City USD 443
  • Sarah C. VenJohn, Winfield USD 465
  • Bradley W. Weaver, Atchison USD 409

 

2017

KTOY

Jason Sickel, Blue Valley USD 229

Finalists:

  • Kristine Bruce, Auburn-Washburn USD 437
  • Jennifer Farr, Geary County USD 475
  • Jonathan Ferrell, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Crystal May, Maize USD 266
  • Maret Schrader, Seaman USD 345
  • Lori Stratton, Wamego USD 320
  • Brent Wolf, Derby USD 260

 

2016

KTOY

Justin Coffey, Dodge City USD 443

Finalists:

  • Kristoffer R. Barikmo, Blue Valley USD 229
  • Lucinda M. Crenshaw, Lawrence USD 497
  • Shelly Jennings, Maize USD 266
  • Sheila E. Koup Eureka USD 389
  • Nona Mason Goodland USD 352
  • B. Jolene Pennington, Paola USD 368
  • Anna Sahadeo, De Soto USD 232

 

2015

KTOY

Shannon Ralph, Dodge City USD 443

Finalists:

  • Beau T. Bragg, Bonner Springs-Edwardsville USD 204
  • Abby M. Hedrick, Paola USD 368
  • Jennifer Hofferber, Liberal USD 480
  • Lisa Holt, Winfield USD 465
  • Jamie McDaniel, Paola USD 368
  • Dennis Munk, Haysville USD 261
  • Kimberly Nelson, Bonner Springs-Edwardsville USD 204

 

2014

KTOY

Jeff Baxter, Leavenworth USD 453

Finalists:

  • Jennifer M. Bailey, Valley Center USD 262
  • Marney Hay, Maize USD 266
  • Brandi Leggett, De Soto USD 232
  • Mary Lonker, Wamego USD 320
  • Jenny M. Nash, Paola USD 368
  • Katie Perez, Hutchinson USD 308
  • Jennifer R. Smith, Blue Valley USD 229

 

2013

KTOY

Dyane Smokorowski, Andover USD 385

Finalists:

  • Ramie Allison, Haysville USD 261
  • Sarah A. Berblinger, Buhler USD 313
  • Sibyl “Sue” Commons, Baxter Springs USD 508
  • Judy M. Domke, Blue Valley USD 229
  • Scott Keltner, Eudora USD 491
  • Colleen Mitchell, Emporia USD 253
  • Laura J. Moyers, Leavenworth USD 453

 

2012

KTOY

Tiffany A. Richard, Olathe USD 233

Finalists:

  • Amelia S. Adams, Liberal USD 480
  • Christopher D. Christian, Maize USD 266
  • Emily K. Fleming, Kansas City USD 500
  • Carla Goertzen, Buhler USD 313
  • Sherry L. Helus, Wamego USD 320
  • Michael C. Pickman, Prairie View USD 362
  • Elizabeth A. Roberts, Wichita USD 259

 

2011

KTOY

Curtis Chandler, Wamego USD 320

Finalists:

  • Nikki M. Chamberlain Salina USD 305
  • Kim A. Morrissey, Wichita USD 259
  • Holly R. Schreiber, De Soto USD 232
  • C. Dow Tate, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Jodi A. Testa, Geary County USD 475
  • Lu Anne Vides, El Dorado USD 490
  • Linda G. Wiersma, Paola USD 368

 

2010

KTOY

Karen M. Tritt, Shawnee Mission USD 512

Finalists:

  • Arthur R. Commons, Baxter Springs USD 508
  • Cathy Durano, Andover USD 385
  • Jeline D. Harclerode, Emporia USD 253
  • Rose M. Nemchik, De Soto USD 232
  • Tracey B. Repp, Andover USD 385
  • Joan L. Schieferecke, McPherson USD 418
  • Beth Slawson, Paola USD 368

 

2009

KTOY

Cynthia J. Couchman, Buhler USD 313

Finalists:

  • Mary F. Bradshaw, Newton USD 373
  • Walter L. Cochran, Gardner Edgerton USD 231
  • Jennifer Donovan, De Soto USD 232
  • Marilyn B. Fox, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Mary Martha Good, El Dorado USD 490
  • Julie C. Miller, Paola USD 368
  • Cynthia L. Venard, Dodge City USD 443

 

2008

KTOY

Jeri Powers, De Soto USD 232

Finalists:

  • Anton F. Ahrens, Topeka USD 501
  • Karen Bristow, Augusta USD 402
  • Erin C. Capettini, Paola USD 368
  • Elaine S. Corder, Spring Hill USD 230
  • Linda I. Johnson, Morris County USD 417
  • Stacie Valdez, Wichita USD 259
  • Shelbie Witte, Geary County USD 475

 

2007

KTOY

Joshua M. Anderson, Olathe USD 233

Finalists:

  • Lori Atkins Goodson, Wamego USD 320
  • Mary N. Collins, Morris County USD 417
  • Martha Hadsall, Chaparral USD 361
  • Bonnie Kastanek, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Carrie Mugridge, De Soto USD 232
  • DeAnn R. Nelson, Wichita USD 259
  • Sheryl L. Smith, Buhler USD 313

 

2006

KTOY

Ronald W. Poplau, Shawnee Mission USD 512 KTOY

Finalists:

  • Betsy Leonard Wiens, Auburn-Washburn USD 437
  • Laurie A. Mercer, Wichita USD 259
  • Pamela A. Olson, Haysville USD 261
  • Betty A. Peterson, Nemaha Valley USD 442
  • Roxie Peterson, Wamego USD 320
  • Letitia Petitjean, Buhler USD 313
  • Tana Priddy Byers, De Soto USD 232

 

2005

KTOY

Brett D. Potts, Blue Valley USD 229

Finalists:

  • Joyce C. Anschutz, Great Bend USD 428
  • Marilyn Bolton, Buhler USD 313
  • Alma Cook, Baxter Springs USD 508
  • Anne Farmer, Douglass USD 396
  • Jeffrey W. Handley, Auburn-Washburn USD 437
  • Teresa M. Hedge, Bonner Springs-Edwardsville USD 204
  • Gary Wilkerson, Derby USD 260

 

2004

KTOY

Retracted

Finalists:

  • Connie Jo Ferree, Emporia USD 253
  • Sandra J. Groth, Blue Valley USD 229
  • Patrick R. Lamb, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Greg Mittman, Valley Center USD 262
  • Vicki Lynn O’Neal, Baxter Springs USD 508
  • Kimberly Ann Thomas, Wichita USD 259
  • Erin L. Vancil, McPherson USD 418

 

2003

KTOY

Ruth Ann Gharst Waggoner, Olathe USD 233

Finalists:

  • Juliann Bliese Hays USD 489
  • Barbara Fowler, Emporia USD 253
  • Nils Gabrielson, Maize USD 266
  • Trey Harrison, El Dorado USD 490
  • Jada Kohlmeier, De Soto USD 232
  • Diane M. Liebsch, Atchison USD 409
  • Pamela A. Tipton, Seaman USD 345

 

2002

KTOY

Tracy Taylor Callard, Wichita USD 259

Finalists:

  • Barbara L. Chamberlain, Seaman USD 345
  • Mark A. Diskin, Maize USD 266
  • Susan K. Hagedorn, Barnes USD 223
  • Patricia A. Lira, Santa Fe Trail USD 434
  • Linda McPherson, De Soto USD 232
  • Linda L. Nelson, Salina USD 305
  • Sarah Pike, Turner USD 202

 

2001

KTOY

Janet S. Kingsley, Maize USD 266

Finalists:

  • Sue Boldra, Hays USD 489
  • Hildie E. Brooks, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Mary Etta Copeland, De Soto USD 232
  • Jan Dicker, Lawrence USD 497
  • Vickie Fellers, Wichita USD 259
  • Carol Panzer, Lakin USD 215
  • Renita K. Ubel, Ottawa USD 290

 

2000

KTOY

Susan M. Rippe, Wichita USD 259

Finalists:

  • Julie Jo Bervert, Seaman USD 345
  • Nancy Jo Bradley, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Crystal Kaye Cross, Great Bend USD 428
  • Tammy R. Lalicker, Garden City USD 457
  • Beverly McWilliams, Circle USD 375
  • Gayle J. Newman, Blue Valley USD 229
  • Karen Diane Wall, De Soto USD 232

 

1999

KTOY

Carol Strickland, Emporia USD 253

Finalists:

  • F. Gene Hampton, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Alicia Jackson Uniontown USD 235
  • Sandra N. Morris Royal Valley USD 337
  • Sherry J. Nelson, Lawrence USD 497
  • Cynthia C. Schaker, Circle USD 375
  • Shirley A. Stein Ulysses USD 214

 

1998

KTOY

Darla J. Mallein, Emporia USD 253

Finalists:

  • Sue Wilson, Derby USD 260
  • Mary Lee Edwards, Yates Center USD 366
  • Kathi Flexman, Blue Valley USD 229
  • Martin J. Hays, Circle USD 375
  • Linda Lilja, Santa Fe Trail USD 434
  • Rhonda Reist, Olathe USD 233
  • Marilyn L. Shaw, Derby USD 260
  • Dana Sprinkle, Ell-Saline USD 307

 

1997

KTOY

Nancy R. McRoberts, Olathe USD 233

Finalists:

  • Kay Barkis, Louisburg USD 416
  • Judy A. Beemer, Arkansas City USD 470
  • Marilyn D. Brothers, Circle USD 375
  • Melanie Campbell, Seaman USD 345
  • Karen N. Pinkall, Chapman USD 473
  • Sharon S. Stephens, Emporia USD 253
  • Penelope J. Wika, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383

 

1996

KTOY

Christy R. McNally, Catholic Diocese, Pittsburg

Finalists:

  • Peggy Andra, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Gary R. Armour Salina USD 305
  • Lyn Baldwin, Auburn-Washburn USD 437
  • Nelda Branstetter, Derby USD 260
  • Gail Ferguson Barber County North USD 254
  • Brenda J. Groat Rose Hill USD 394
  • Damon L. Roberts, Turner USD 202

 

1995

KTOY

Becky K. Goodwin, Kansas State School for the Deaf, Olathe

Finalists:

  • Stanley R. Bartel, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Claudia Kay Bower, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Joan M. Dawson, Chapman USD 473
  • Kathryn E. Taylor, Emporia USD 253
  • Barbara (Babs) L. Tims, Pittsburg USD 250
  • Barbara G. White, Belle Plaine USD 357
  • Tony White, Rose Hill USD 394

 

1994

KTOY

Nancy J. Costigan-Talbott Hays USD 489

Finalists:

  • Rex E. Babcock, Chanute USD 413
  • Cynda Annette Carr, Anthony-Harper USD 361
  • Beverly B. James, Beloit USD 273
  • Richard W. Luckert, Olathe USD 233
  • Jo Ann Schuette, Wichita USD 259,
  • Mary Ellen Titus, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Marli Y. Yeo, Blue Valley USD 229

 

1993

KTOY

Carol J. Swinney, Hugoton USD 210

Finalists:

  • Kay Bushman Haas, Ottawa USD 290
  • Donna M. Erpelding, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Jamie Hofmeier, Salina USD 305
  • Carolyn Jeter, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Kathleen Murphy, Shawnee Mission USD 512
  • Linda H. Spencer, Independence USD 446
  • Kay E. Wiley, Rose Hill USD 394

 

1992

KTOY

Norman Dale Conard, Uniontown USD 235

Finalists:

  • Melisa Jean Hancock, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
  • Victoria A. Jackson, Wichita USD 259
  • Susan F. McKinney, Emporia USD 253
  • Dottie Wallace, Salina USD 305

 

Kansas Teacher of the Year logo 

For more information about the Kansas Teacher of the Year program, please contact:

Tamla Miller
(785) 296-4950
tmiller@ksde.org


Communications and Recognition Programs Team Director

Denise Kahler
(785) 296-4876
​dkahler@ksde.org

 

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