105.9 KISS FM, 92.9 The Bull, and FM 101.7 KLWN AM 1320 want to honor educators for all their hard work. We will be reading submissions on air and recognizing all the amazing things they are doing in our community. Not only will they get recognition, they can also win amazing prizes from our sponsors every week!
Click here to nominate your favorite K-12 teacher!
Hover over the pictures to read more about what makes our winners so great!
Alexandra Smith – Quail Run Elementary
“My sons teacher goes university and beyond for all her students! She works literally 365 days a year and goes out of her way to make sure my autistic non verbal son feels included and is ready to succeed. My sons teacher is my life and without her I don’t know where we would be. Alex is smart, kind, educated, and a genuine person. We love her and I know you will too! She is CONSTANTLY giving to others and expects nothing in return.”
Alexandra Smith – Quail Run Elementary
Amanda Yoder – Langston Hughes Elementary School
“Our daughter has been very lucky to have Mrs Yoder for 2 consecutive years! She is one of the most caring teachers I’ve known! She “looped” forward with her 1st grade class this year. Which has been so incredibly wonderful in this crazy school year. We love the attention and care she has given our child over the past 2 years! We feel very blessed to have had her in our lives. And hope our next child will have her as a teacher too!! Thanks for everything you do for our children Mrs Yoder!!!”
Amanda Yoder – Langston Hughes Elementary School
Brianna Schmitz - Tonganoxie Elementary
“As we struggled to find out what our son was struggling with causing delays, such as speech, this teacher has gone over beyond to help him. He now looks forward to school, has started attempting talking and writing. She has brought supplies during COVID to our door step so he doesn’t have any lapse in learning and even dropped off a Christmas gift from the staff when they didn’t have a Christmas party. She is a blessing.”
Brianna Schmitz – Tonganoxie Elementary
Jennifer Stoops - Glenwood Ridge Elementary
“Mrs. Stoops was the reading specialist at GRE prior to this year. Once COVID hit, she was pulled as the reading specialist and became a classroom teacher (to add classrooms, to be able to socially distance students). She adapted so well! The kindness and patience she has with these kids is amazing. I have listened to MANY Zoom meetings with her and her class of 15 8 year olds! It takes a very special person to do what she does. My daughter has learned so much this year even with the online school days. My favorite thing she says to the kids when they answer a question right is “kiss your brain, you are so smart”. Every kid in her class smiles nonstop when she talks!”
Jennifer Stoops – Glenwood Ridge Elementary
Chris Orlando - Southwest middle school
Chris was my supervising teacher when I taught with him and his passion for teaching and his relationships with his students really inspired me! He is so creative and deserves every bit of recognition!”
Chris Orlando – Southwest middle school
Charles VanMiddlesworth - Tonganoxie High School
Mr. Van” teaches with incredible passion, heart and drive! His positive outlook and energy is contagious. He sees the potential in every student . He changed my path and helped me have confidence not only musically but in my leadership as well. I will be forever grateful for his impact on my life.
Charles VanMiddlesworth – Tonganoxie High School
Jessica Sadler - Oregon Trail Middle School
“Ms. Sadler is an incredible advocate for kids. She makes each child feel welcomed to her room and takes person time to go to their extra curricular events. Many of her former students can been seen stopping by her classroom to see her or heard saying how much they miss her class. She is “that teacher” for so many of her students and a true asset to her school.”
Jessica Sadler – Oregon Trail Middle School
Tanna Gassmann
Tanna Gassmann Shaner Early Learning Academy “Mrs. Gassmann at Shaner Early Learning Academy is the best around. We are a military family and moved to the area this year. She has gone over and beyond to make my daughter, Bridget feel welcome.Mrs. Gassmann has made my daughter love to read and write! She is caring, friendly, and so patient! Most recently, my daughter had surgery and went out of her way to make sure she was feeling well and even sent a gift. We are so lucky to have her as our daughter’s teacher! She is simply the best.”
Tanna Gassmann – Shaner Early Learning Academy
Jennifer Brown - Lecompton Elementary School
“Jennifer Brown is the most outstanding and energetic 2nd grade teacher that has sparked such a love of learning to my daughter. She has gone above & beyond expectations in this challenging time of a pandemic. Whether the children are learning in the classroom or at home for remote learning she gives her all to these 2nd grade students and we are so thankful for her love of teaching and compassion for her students! She is very deserving of being honored for her dedication to her students! She is helping to bring little leaders into our community! Thank you Mrs. Brown!”
Jennifer Brown – Lecompton Elementary School
Sarah Stallings - Perry Middle School
“Miss Stallings is a huge reason that our 6th grader enjoys showing up to middle school everyday! She not only goes above & beyond caring that her students understand the material but she makes them want to be better people for our community. Also, thank you for your love of sports and playing football at recess with these 6th graders! These are the memories they will cherish forever! She deserves a lot of recognition for the CARE she puts in teaching our children each day!”
Sarah Stallings – Perry Middle School
Amy Irvin - Glennwood Ridge Elementary
“Mrs. Irvin goes above and beyond for her students! My son has struggled for many years with DMDD, ADHD and severe Anxiety. Thanks to Mrs. Irvin my son loves to go to school, has improved in his grade level scores, all thanks to Mrs. Irvin. She goes to great lengths to make sure these kids reach their full potential! She is more than a teacher than a teacher, she is mother, friend, and caring individual. She offers to help out in any way she can! Thanks to Mrs. Irvin we have finally seen the light! THANK YOU!”
Amy Irvin – Glennwood Ridge Elementary
Jessica Christman - Lecompton Elementary School
“My fourth grader has told me repeatedly since the start of the school year that THIS is her favorite year, and in a pandemic! That just goes to show the absolutely amazing educator Ms. Christman is. She engages and encourages her students by transforming her classroom into a new and exciting experiences, just this year alone the class has become an operating room, doughnut shop, inflatable land and an Among Us game. I know my fourth grader is in the absolute best classroom she could possibly be in, learning and having so much fun in a world where the fun seems so far away sometimes.”
Jessica Christman – Lecompton Elementary School
Kelli Barney - Mill Valley Campus
“Kelli Barney is a special education teacher that works with a large group of students post graduation to help prepare and connect them with with future employment and prepare them for the responsibilities for young adulthood. Kelli devotes her time, love, care, and energy to all of her students meeting all their individual needs to help them thrive and succeed in all of their goals! Kelli is a beautiful person with a genuine heart. She works hard to find employment opportunities and work experience for her students. She is truly and amazing person.”
Kelli Barney – Mill Valley Campus
Kelli Jewell - Perry Elementary School
“Mrs. Jewell has been an amazing addition to the PLES staff. My daughter absolutely loves going to school because of her. She makes learning fun and fosters their imagination through play time. She communicates with parents and is always finding ways to showcase their work. ”
Kelli Jewell – Perry Elementary School
