Kansas Teacher of the Year Program

The Kansas Teacher of the Year Award recognizes and utilizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. Its mission is to build and utilize a network of exemplary teachers who are leaders in the improvement of schools, student performance and the teaching profession.

The Kansas Teacher of the Year program consists of local, regional and state competition.The regions correspond to the state’s four U.S. congressional districts.

The Kansas State Department of Education appoints regional selection committees responsible for reviewing the nomination forms and selecting three elementary teachers and three secondary teachers designated as semifinalists. Two regional finalists, one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher, are chosen from among these six teachers. Regional selection committees are comprised of education administrators and teachers.

2026 Nomination Form 

Instructions for Accessing the Kansas Teacher of the Year online applicatiion Progam

 

2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year

2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year: Elizabeth Anstine

Visit the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team website.

2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year Finalists

Region 1: Whitney Aves, Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson USD 308; Maegen Stucky, Roosevelt Elementary School, McPherson USD 418. Region 2: Elizabeth Anstine, Leavenworth Sr. High School, Leavenworth USD 453; Benjamin Eckelberry, Tecumseh North Elementary School, Shawnee Heights USD 450. Region 3: Ryan Mellick, Bonner Springs High School, Bonner Springs USD 204; Amber Pagan, Nieman Elementary School, Shawnee Mission USD 512. Region 4: Erik Stone, Gordon Parks Academy, Wichita USD 259; Olivia Winegeart, Paul B. Cooper Elementary School, Derby USD 260.

 

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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