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Grades 10-12, Mathematics
Topeka USD 501 Highland Park High School 2424 S.E. California Ave. Topeka, Kansas 66605
Phone: (785) 274-6000 Email: cdelacruz@tps501.org
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Cherryl Delacruz has worked in public education for 20 years as a secondary math and science teacher, math department chairperson and math trainer. Currently,she teaches honors algebra 2, college algebra and statistics to 10th and 11th grade students.
Grades 9-10, Art
Smoky Valley USD 400 Smoky Valley High School 1 Viking Blvd. Lindsborg, Kansas 67456
Phone: (785) 227-2909 Email: gelliott@smokyvalley.org
Gretchen Elliott is in her 26th year in education and is currently teaching at Smoky Valley High School. Elliott began her career as a 7-12 Art Teacher at Canton-Galva High School where she adopted the art program that is still thriving.
Grades 9-12, Agriculture
Wichita USD 259 Southeast High School 2641 E. 127th St. E. Wichita, Kansas 67207
Phone: (316) 973-2700 Email: jfarmer@usd259.net
Joanna Farmer, the high school teacher for Southeast High School in Wichita, used her past experience growing up on a farm and participating in both 4-H and FFA activities, to build one of the largest agriculture education programs in the state and one of only a few urban FFA chapters in the nation.
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Goddard USD 265 Explorer Elementary School 16746 W. Explorer Goddard, Kansas 67052
Phone: (316) 794-4181 Email: mhaney@goddardusd.com
Melissa Haney is the K-4 Project Lead the Way Science teacher at Explorer Elementary school. She is a 16-year veteran teacher for Goddard Public Schools. Haney is an organized professional who brings change, energy, and inspiration to the teaching world.
Kindergarten - 4th Grade Art
Rock Creek USD 323 St. George Elementary School 200 Blackjack Road St. George, KS 66535
Phone: (785) 494-2482 Email: pittenge@usd323.org
Erin Pittenger currently teaches Kindergarten through 4th grade Art at St. George Elementary School in St. George, Kansas. This position allows her to share her deep passion for art, community and life with nearly 400 amazing artists.
6th Grade, ELA, Social Studies
Shawnee Mission USD 512 Roesland Elementary School 4900 Parish Dr. Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66205
Phone: (913) 993-4700 Email: michelletapko@smsd.org
Michelle Tapko is a sixth-grade teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District at Roesland Elementary School. Her classroom is a safe space for students and teachers to share their lives and stories so that everyone can learn and grow.
Kindergarten–2nd Grade, Music
Piper-Kansas City USD 203 Piper Prairie Elementary School 3131 N. 122nd Kansas City, Kansas 66109
Phone: (913) 721-1243 Email: ftelthorst@piperschools.us
Fonda Telthorst currently teaches music at Piper Prairie Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas. Her students explore and experience math, science, history, reading, language, and technology through music.
For more information about the Kansas Teacher of the Year program, please contact:
Tamla Miller (785) 296-4950 tmiller@ksde.org
Communications and Recognition Programs Team Director
Denise Kahler (785) 296-4876 ​dkahler@ksde.org
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.org or by 785-296-3201.