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Already a life-long advocate of teachers and the teaching profession, Liz Anstine knew when her name was called as the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year, the real work was about to begin.
“At that moment, I thought, ‘Well, here we go. I need to keep advocating.’”
The Leavenworth High School business teacher was chosen from a field of eight regional finalists on Sept. 28, in Wichita.
“I think I was picked for a reason,” Anstine said when reflecting on the moment when Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson and 2024 KTOY Taylor Bussinger announced she would be the next Kansas Teacher of the Year. “I didn’t come from privilege. I wasn’t always recognized even when I worked hard. I’ve never had this experience, not even in the corporate world.”
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will receive the Kansas State Department of Education’s 2023-24 annual report from Education Commissioner Randy Watson during their October meeting, Oct. 8-9, in Topeka.
Dr. Watson will highlight Kansas education accomplishments, including the spring 2024 state assessments. He also will update board members on progress made on the Kansans Can outcomes of kindergarten readiness, social-emotional growth, civic engagement, individual plans of study (IPS), academically prepared for postsecondary, graduation and postsecondary success.
If you were to walk the halls of Berryton Elementary School in Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 on a special day or near a holiday, you may find someone in a Cat in the Hat or Santa Claus costume.
The man behind the costume is likely head custodian Austin Smith.
Smith has been a custodian for about 18 years, working in USD 450 for 11 years.
He started doing it as an after-school job in high school, then continued it through college while he got his associate’s degree from Washburn University, in Topeka.
“I really like the changes from the immediate gratification of dirty to clean, not shiny to shiny,” he said. “That instant gratification does it for me.”
In this edition | Feature Story | Assessments and Accountability | Reporting and Operations Standards and Instruction | Student Health and Nutrition | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
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The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.gov or by 785-296-3201.