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 2 awards banquet took place at the Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd., in Topeka.

As finalists for the KTOY distinction, Smith and Vahsholtz 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 Saturday, Sept. 19, in Wichita.

Smith and Vahsholtz were among six KTOY semifinalists from Region 2, which covers the 2nd U.S. Congressional District.

Other KTOY semifinalists were Michelle Laubenstein, a mathematics teacher at Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott USD 234; Zachary Raugewitz, a social studies and psychology teacher at Washburn Rural High School, Auburn-Washburn USD 437; Cheryl Sander, a second grade teacher at Lansing Elementary School, Lansing USD 469; and Mary Swearingen, a kindergarten teacher at Eisenhower Elementary School, Independence USD 446.

Each of the KTOY 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 Kansas Teacher of the Year 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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