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Kansas State Department of Education

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student

Teacher Appreciation Week

watch for videos on Facebook and X (@ksdehq) of the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year team members as they describe who have been the greatest influences on their journeys as teachers.

Insight Pod Graphics 2026 - APR Square2-05

Insight Podcast - NEW Episode out now!

Join Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson as he takes a deep dive into the world of Kansas public education on the Insight podcast. The Podcast is available on multiple platforms!

Listen now

Registration Open Now

KSDE Great Ideas in Education Conference - July 27-29 Wichita

Promotional graphic for Kansas Teacher Recruitment showing a person pointing toward the text: “Grow-your-own opportunity! Applications now being accepted for the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program.”

Kansas Teacher Recruitment Grow-your-own opportunity!

Applications now being accepted for the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program.

Learn more

News Releases

Two teachers named Region 3 finalists for 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year

OVERLAND PARK —Corinne Flynn, a fourth grade teacher at Sunflower Elementary School, Paola USD 368, and Audrey Gilroy, an art teacher at Westridge Middle School, Shawnee Mission USD 512, were named Region 3 finalists for the 2027 Kansas Teacher of...

Apr 19, 2026

Region 2 Finalists for the 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year: Alexandra Vahsholtz

Two teachers named Region 2 finalists for 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year

TOPEKA — Dawn Smith, an English language arts teacher at Atchison High School, Atchison USD 409, and Alexandra Vahsholtz, a fifth grade teacher at Village Elementary School, Emporia USD 253, were named Region 2 finalists for the 2027 Kansas Teacher...

Apr 19, 2026

Region 1 Finalists for 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year: Alayna Mancillas and Scott Glass

Two teachers named Region 1 finalists for 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year

SALINA —Scott Glass, a chemistry and engineering teacher at Garden City High School, Garden City USD 457, and Alayna Mancillas, a preschool teacher at Hickok Elementary School, Ulysses USD 214, were named Region 1 finalists for the 2027 Kansas Teacher...

Apr 18, 2026

Two teachers named Region 4 finalists for 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year

WICHITA — Brandy Lane, an English language arts teacher at Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, Goddard USD 265, and Danielle Ricke, an early childhood teacher at Southwest Elementary School, Pratt USD 382, were named Region 4 finalists for the 2027...

Apr 18, 2026

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Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Topeka, Kansas 66612-1212
(785) 296-3201

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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. For more information, visit our grievance procedure page.

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.

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