Ms. Anstine: “Deliberate reflection is a fundamental principle of my teaching philosophy.”

WICHITA – Elizabeth Anstine, a business teacher at Leavenworth High School, Leavenworth Unified School District 453, was named the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year on Saturday, Sept. 28, during a special ceremony in Wichita.

Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson made the announcement at a gathering of more than 300 educators, business representatives and others during the Kansas Teacher of the Year Banquet at the Marriott Hotel, 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive, in Wichita.

“It is my honor to present the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year designation to Elizabeth,” Watson said. “She possesses an unshakeable commitment to inclusion that positively impacts her students’ personal and academic success and is a strong advocate for public education. I want to wish her and the members of the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year team success as they serve as ambassadors for Kansas education in the coming year.”

Anstine said one of the fundamental aspects of her teaching philosophy is the “practice of deliberate reflection.”

“As both a contemplative individual and educator, I consider this to be one of my most valuable attributes,” she said. “I dedicate time to carefully assess my teaching methods and classroom practices, evaluating what is effective and where adjustments are needed to enhance the overall learning experience for my students.”

Anstine was named the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year from a field of eight finalists.

Selected from a pool of more than 126 nominations, the 2025 finalists are Maegan Stucky, a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School, McPherson USD 418; Whitney Aves, a family and consumer science teacher at Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson USD 308; Benjamin Eckelberry, a teacher at Tecumseh North Elementary School, Shawnee Heights USD 450; Amber Pagan, a Pre-K teacher at Nieman Elementary School, Shawnee Mission USD 512; Ryan Mellick, an industrial technology teacher at Bonner Springs High School, Bonner Springs USD 204; Olivia Winegeart, a teacher at Paul B. Cooper Elementary School, Derby USD 260; and Erik Stone, a band and vocal teacher at Gordon Parks Academy, Wichita USD 259.

Throughout the coming year, Anstine and the KTOY finalists will work and travel as a team to advocate for Kansas education and the teaching profession.

Anstine, of Overland Park, who has been teaching business marketing, entrepreneurship, and finance courses at Leavenworth High School for the past 12 years, is best known for her leadership and mentoring.  Previously, she spent nearly 20 years in senior corporate marketing and as a Junior Achievement volunteer in Kansas City’s inner-city schools. She also volunteered extensively in Olathe USD 233 where her children attended.

Anstine earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Fort Hays State University and a Master’s Degree of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas.

Stacey Cole, associate principal at Leavenworth High, credits Anstine for dramatically transforming the school’s business and marketing program and for developing a partnership with high-incidence students who work closely with general education students.

“Through her work, she has inspired many students to go on to successful careers, whether it be through postsecondary education institutions or through placements in community internships,” Cole wrote to the selection committee. “Ms. Anstine goes above and beyond to help her students find a path for their future and assists them in determining the best method of reaching their goals.”

Edward Bohnemann, the parent of three of Anstine’s students, wrote in a letter to the selection committee that Anstine is deserving of the Kansas Teacher of the Year honor because she is a “completely dedicated and devoted teacher.”

“(She is) the one teacher who is present at every sporting event, academic activity and drama production,” he said. “She provides the ‘high fives’ when students achieve their goals and hugs when students fall a bit short of expectations.” 

Catey Edwards, coordinator of secondary public relations and director of the Leavenworth Education Foundation, wrote in a letter that Anstine’s previous professional career has made her an exceptional teacher since arriving at Leavenworth High School.

“She has the unmistakable ability to connect classroom experiences to that of the complex real world,” Edwards wrote. “I have watched her transform and grow a program of several students, classes and support activities into one that rivals a program at the collegiate level.” 

Steven Strobel, Regional Vice President for Security Benefit Corp., presented Anstine with a $4,000 cash award.

In addition, Anstine will receive the Kansas Teacher of the Year Lifelong Learning Scholarship to attend participating universities free of charge for as long as she continues teaching in Kansas. She will also receive The Hubbard Foundation Kansas Teacher of the Year Ambassadorship which provides funds for travel and other necessary expenses incurred by the Kansas Teacher of the Year.

Anstine also will receive the use of a rental car from Enterprise Rent-a-Car for Kansas Teacher of the Year travel. Jostens Inc. also provided Anstine with a Leader in Education ring.

Each of the eight members of the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year team received a $2,000 cash award from Security Benefit and a red marble apple from the Master Teacher in Manhattan. In addition, each will receive Capturing Kids’ Hearts training from The Flippen Group, of College Station, Tex.

The Teacher of the Year program has state and national competitions. The national program, presented by Voya Financial, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The Kansas program is sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Anstine is now a candidate for National Teacher of the Year.