News Releases

Our press releases provide timely, accurate information about key initiatives, policy updates, and important events in Kansas education. They serve as an official source for news and announcements from the Kansas State Department of Education, helping educators, families, and communities stay informed about developments that impact schools statewide.

This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. The KTOY Region 1 awards banquet took place at Tony’s Pizza Event Center, 800 The Midway, in Salina.

As finalists for the KTOY distinction, Glass and Mancillas each will receive a $2,000 cash award from Security Benefit, the major corporate partner for the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. In addition, they are each now eligible to be named Kansas Teacher of the Year, which will be announced during a ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 18, in Wichita.

Glass and Mancillas were among six Teacher of the Year semifinalists from Region 1, which covers the 1st U.S. Congressional District.

Other KTOY semifinalists announced were Ericka Cain, an adaptive special education teacher at Salina South High School, Salina USD 305; Tarin Hauck, a K-4 grade teacher at Minneapolis Elementary School, North Ottawa County USD 239; Jacy McIntosh, a fourth grade teacher at West Elementary School, Wamego USD 320; and Josiah Smiddy, a music teacher at Eisenhower Middle School, Liberal USD 480.

Each of the semifinalists will receive a red marble apple with a wooden base, compliments of The Master Teacher in Manhattan.

This year, 142 educators across the state were nominated for the KTOY distinction. 

Nominations are made in each of the four regions in the state. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), sponsor of the Kansas Teacher of the Year program, appoints regional selection panels comprised of teachers, education administrators and business representatives to select semifinalists and finalists from each region. 

Each panel selects six semifinalists - three elementary teachers and three secondary teachers. From those semifinalists, the panel in each region then selects one elementary finalist and one secondary finalist. The Kansas Teacher of the Year is selected from among the state’s eight regional finalists. 

The mission of the Kansas Teacher of the Year program is to build and utilize a network of exemplary teachers who are leaders in the improvement of schools, student performance and the teaching profession.

Members of the KTOY team, comprised of the Teacher of the Year and state finalists, serve as ambassadors for education in Kansas, making public appearances across the state promoting education and the teaching profession.

The individual selected as the Kansas Teacher of the Year is eligible for national distinction as National Teacher of the Year.

The National Teacher of the Year program is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation.

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