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Two teachers named Region 3 finalists for 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year
Apr 19, 2026
by Denise KahlerAnnouncement made during Sunday ceremony in Overland Park
This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. The KTOY Region 3 awards banquet took place at the Overland Park Sheraton Hotel, 6100 College Blvd., in Overland Park.
As finalists for the KTOY distinction, Flynn and Gilroy 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 each are now eligible to be named Kansas Teacher of the Year, which will be announced during a ceremony Saturday, Sept. 19, in Wichita.
Flynn and Gilroy were among six KTOY semifinalists from Region 3, which covers the 3rd U.S. Congressional District.
Other KTOY semifinalists were Caroline Clark, a second grade teacher at Turner Elementary School, Turner USD 202; Heather Campbell, a mathematics teacher at Bonner Springs High School, Bonner Springs USD 204; Kimberly Thompson, an AP U.S. government and politics teacher at Blue Valley High School, Blue Valley USD 229; and Lindsay Davis, a kindergarten teacher at Green Springs Elementary School, Olathe USD 233.
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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