2025 Kansas Master Teacher Award Winners

Andrew Taylor USD 233 Olathe Northwest Ninth Grade Biology Teacher.

Andrew Taylor

Andrew Taylor teaches ninth-grade biology at Olathe Northwest High School. The Olathe district is one of the biggest in Kansas however, Mr. Taylor sees this as an opportunity to influence more students. Taylor wrote, “The diversity [in students] fosters a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where students can engage with a variety of perspectives and experiences.” More so, at Olathe Northwest, Taylor is a faculty member of their Engineering Academy, a program that allows students to take a complete STEM approach to learning science, through collaboration, creativity, and more.

Mr.Taylor’s teaching philosophy consists of having his students learn through taking risks and investigating for themselves. He began his portfolio by saying, “Effective teaching must promote student curiosity and empower every student as a problem solver and change agent in their community.” At Olathe Northwest, he is taking a noteworthy approach to teaching his students about the importance of science and thinking abstractly. Andrew Taylor foremost understands that not all students will pursue science after high school. In response, he incorporates strategies and concepts that can connect to everyday use and will spark their interest in understanding our world.

Through his time teaching at Olathe Northwest, he has grown as a teacher and as a person. He credits his growth to professional development opportunities that he has taken at full length. Throughout his teaching career, he has realized the importance of listening to his students. Reflecting on his growth, he states “Compared to the start of my career, I spend far more time listening and facilitating as students engage in meaningful discussions, investigations, and explorations of compelling scientific phenomena.”

Andrew Taylor was formally educated at the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree. However, his education does not end there. Taylor attends many professional developments, field experiences, and conferences to help him further himself as an educator. Aside from that he is also a well-polished member of many associations. He has had several leadership positions with the succeeding associations: Kansas Association of Biology Teachers, National Association of Biology Teachers, Kansas State Department of Education, USD 233, Kansas Association of Teachers of Science, and 3D Molecular Designs Milwaukee, WI. These positions range everywhere from being President of the Kansas Association of Biology Teachers to Director-Coordinator of the National Association of Biology Teachers to a Field Teacher of multiple organizations. Along with his leadership positions, he is also a member of the following organizations; the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science, the National Science Teaching Association, and most recently, The National Education Association. Taylor also has devoted time to presenting at different workshops and conferences to help others grow. In order to further himself in this area, he has applied to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute BioInteractive Ambassador Academy and has recently been named a finalist.

Andrew Taylor is a well qualified teacher that has dedicated most of his life to education. As we can see everyday he continues to further himself for the greater good of his students and the USD 233 environment. His assistant Principal expressed her pride by saying “ As a dedicated educator, an advocate for equity, and a transformative mentor, Mr. Taylor has made a lasting impact not only on his students and our school, but also across the education landscape in Kansas.”

Heather Newkirk Kansas Master Teacher Bio USD 461- Neodesha 3rd Grade Teacher.

Heather Newkirk

“Mrs. Newkirk is an exemplary educator whose passion, professionalism, dedication to student success, and contributions to the educational community make her more than deserving.” As we can see, Newkirk's principal is more than proud of her. Mrs. Newkirk is a third-grade teacher at Ray E. Heller Elementary which is a part of the Neodesha school district located in southeast Kansas. Neodesha is a comparatively small school with a hardworking community surrounding it. The school district, especially the teachers, works extra hard to help the students in every way. Including providing free school food, school supplies, and even a scholarship for seniors attending college.

Moreover, Heather Newkirk is an extremely caring, loving teacher. Mrs. Newkirk has been in third grade for 4 years and has been teaching overall for 14 years. Each year she strives to keep her classroom as positive and fun as possible. Newkirk believes that if her lessons become repetitive, it becomes boring for her and her students. Therefore, every day she tries to create magic and an “environment where my students are allowed to become their happiest, most confident selves.” Her teaching philosophy is based on a quote by Haim Ginott that she heard while attending college at the University of Kansas. To paraphrase, Ginott says that in a classroom the teacher's approach controls the environment and their daily attitude makes the weather by their responsive decisions.

Newkirk says this mentality affects the way she approaches her classroom. She thrives on the imagination of her students and appreciates how willing they are. Her daily goal is to make an impact because “Their brains are growing every day, and that is something we should celebrate!” She aims to set an example for students by also making herself happy and confident, urging them to do the same. Moreover, Mrs.Newkirk has many passions that we can see throughout her philosophy. Including limiting technology use, students’ emotional regulation, and a strong school-home relationship.

While being a well-experienced teacher with a B.A. in education from the University of Kansas and a Masters Degree in Special Education at Emporia State University; she continues to expand her knowledge by attending different professional developments, taking different courses, and time in her classroom. Newkirk is always looking for new ways to improve her classroom and enjoys doing so. Recently, she has changed her perspective on student achievement by switching to standard-based grade cards. Mrs. Newkirk believes this has helped her become a better teacher because it allows her to see exactly what standards her students have mastered and which ones still need some work. This change has helped her and her students become more self-assured. Newkirk has made several other advancements as well. When evaluating her teaching she realized that the amount of technology used was not benefiting her students. In response, she has been changing to more hands-on learning and more paper and pencil assignments, which her students have been thriving with.

As we can see Mrs. Newkirk is a distinguished achiever, and has much to represent it. Newkirk is a member of the following associations or committees; Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Teacher of the Year, the selection committee for the Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award, and USD 461 district leadership team. She is also the president of her district's local KNEA association otherwise known as Neodesha-NEA. She also served on the Continuous Learning committee for KNEA. Heather Newkirk has had a successful career in the teaching field and the Neodesha schools are very thankful to have her on their team.

Casey Engel Blue Valley High School Kansas Master Teacher 2025 ELA High School Teacher.

Casey Engel

Casey Engel is a teacher with Blue Valley School District; however, her teaching career began in 1999. At District 229, she has many titles and job functions, such as teaching AP Literature and Composition, English Language Arts 10, Creative Writing, and being the ELA Department Chairperson. Despite teaching more than a hundred students at a time, she treats each one as if they were her own.

Engel has a unique philosophy that goes beyond the typical classroom. She sees her students as the most vital people; she says“This is why I teach- to nurture the most important humans on the planet, my students”. Aside from treating her students as her own, she makes it a point to hold her students to the same expectations as she does herself. In fact, she creates a classroom constitution that is separated into two halves, one side is dedicated to what her students promise to uphold and the other is her promises to them. Engel believes it is only sensible to put the same amount of effort and care into school as she expects her students to. Part of her teaching philosophy is “walking the walk,” meaning that she does the work with the students whenever possible; they are not alone in their academic endeavors.

One area of education that Ms. Engel prides herself in reaching the students who don’t want to be reached. It takes a special heart and dedication to reach all students. However, Ms. Engel does it; no matter what the circumstance is, she takes the time to have non-academic conversations and build those relationships with her students. She loves to encourage students and watch them flourish in the classroom.

Casey Engel was educated at Loyola University Chicago graduating with a B.A in English. She then went on to receive a Master of Arts in Literature and Language from UMKC. Her love for education has her constantly reading and learning so she can implement new techniques in her classroom. Engel enjoys furthering her knowledge of literature and educational practices by reading widely and attending workshops, conferences, and live author events. She says, “I love being a student and feel that the dual role of student and teacher has nourished my practice, expanded my understanding of the stressors and the rewards involved in completing academic work, and instilled in me perpetual curiosity and a drive to constantly evolve.”

Engel enjoys serving as ELA department chair and a member of her school’s Leadership Team; she takes joy in working closely with her colleagues. In addition, Engel takes pride in her involvements with the The College Board, for whom she has served as an AP Language and Composition exam reader, and for Johnson County Community College as a College Now instructor. Just for fun, she is a member of the Medieval Association of the Midwest, an organization she aspires to submit a conference paper to one day to fondly relive her graduate school years.

Ms.Engel is a loved and respected faculty member at her school. She is an enthusiastic teacher, who is willing to do whatever it takes to help her students and others. Throughout her time she has made many impacts on individuals. She also has done much to set a high standard and aid people to success. When talking about Casey Engel one of her peers said, “She has helped set a standard for a culture that fosters high expectation, acceptance, and kindness in her leadership role.

Jennifer Gillespie USD 251 Macksville, Kansas Social Studies.

Jennifer Gillespie

Jennifer Gillespie has a different teaching stance than other teachers. She teaches at Macksville High School which is a very small, rural school. In the Mackville school district, they bus students in from 5 different counties and have a very diverse student population. Overall, the students at Macksville have a high percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged students. However, Macksville has a special place in her heart and she has been teaching there since 1997.

Gillespie has a love for the classroom, every day she wakes up excited for another day in the education field. Even after she retires she has plans to continue with education in some capacity. Her devotion to teaching radiates through her classroom. When in college she created a teaching philosophy that she still lives by now, “The purpose of education is to provide the student with a nurturing environment in which one can acquire the tools necessary to succeed in a global, technologically advanced, ever-changing society.”

As a teacher, Mrs.Gillespie emphasizes the importance of making mistakes, which helps with their growth. Her classroom has a nurturing environment with high expectations for behavior and performance. She tracks her students' progress throughout the entirety of their schooling so they can understand how much they have grown. She also helps them in several capacities to make sure they are equipped with the correct tools for society. Continually, she has her students practicing; reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Gillespie also teaches her students the importance of civic engagement and self-regulation. Lastly, she strives to let students have ownership over their education.

Since Mrs. Gillespie is an experienced teacher, she finds herself constantly improving as a teacher. Gillespie states “When I step into a classroom today, I am still as much a student as I was when I first began teaching nearly 30 years ago.” She has been teaching throughout a very progressive, changing time in our world. Since the beginning of her teaching career, technology in the classroom has significantly evolved. Now in her social studies class, she focuses more on the application of skills on technology rather than memorization of facts. She says that throughout her time at Macksville, she has learned how to be more inclusive and meet the needs of all students.

While Gillespie still considers herself a student, her prior education consists of a BA in education at Wichita State University with concentrations in Health Education, Psychology, and Social Studies/ History. Aside from teaching social studies she also commits her time to coaching volleyball and track and field, which helps her build relationships with her students even further.

As if 30 years of work didn’t make her qualified enough, she also has many leadership roles aside from teaching. Within the USD 351 school district, her roles include: being a member of the Macksville Teacher Association, the Building and District Leadership Team, the Macksville Teacher Association President, the Handbook Committee, and the Contract Negotiating Team. In addition, she is a member of both the Kansas National Teachers Association and the National Education Association. Lastly, through coaching, she is a part of the Kansas Volleyball Association and the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Overall, Jennifer Gillespie is a highly praised teacher at Mackville and is devoted to the bettering of her students. Her Program lead says, “She is the ultimate role model for young people. She is a driven, dedicated, hardworking, positive woman who has pushed to overcome obstacles in life and to achieve many things in her personal and professional life.”

Jessica Madinger Kansas Master Teacher USD 251 Northern Heights English Teacher.

Jessica Madinger

Jessica Madinger is an English teacher for a small district containing 106 students in its high school. The USD 251 school district consists of the towns of Admire, Allen, Americus, Bushong, Miller, and Reading. Madinger says, “The small size of our student body ensures that every student is known by name, forms meaningful connections with staff members, and receives personalized instruction.”

Madinger’s approach to teaching is not confined to a single philosophy but instead reflects a blend of diverse perspectives. She supports her students no matter what and helps them defy all odds. She says teaching is “about offering students a ladder and showing them how to climb over the walls that confine them.” In her district, she has been known for raising academic expectations at Northern Heights High School. Ms. Madinger achieves success through three key factors: forming relationships, motivating students, and crafting exciting and interactive content. Through seventeen years of teaching experience, she has found that holding students to high expectations fosters their growth. She says, “By entrusting students with meaningful, complex tasks, I watch them develop confidence, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, which are qualities that transcend the English classroom.”

Over her four years at Northern Heights, Ms. Madinger has strived to make a change in her school. Having fewer students means fewer resources and faculty members, yet Madinger has fought tirelessly to improve her school’s academic expectations. Throughout her time at USD 251, she has successfully transformed the English department, growing enrollment in College Composition I and II from fewer than ten students to two-thirds of the senior class. Every day that Madinger works with students is one day closer to preparing them for a successful lifetime.

Jessica is eager to further her education through professional development opportunities and aspires to pursue a doctorate; however, even without that doctorate, she has already established herself as a highly distinguished and qualified teacher. She has contributed her expertise in various roles, serving on USD 251’s MTSS professional learning and district curriculum committees and the Kansas Association of Teachers of English’s executive board. Amid a critical teacher shortage, she feels a personal calling to cultivate capable educators, acting as an instructional coach in her building, advising teachers in neighboring districts, and mentoring new and pre-service teachers. This year alone, she entrusted her carefully crafted curriculum to two student teachers, affirming her belief that developing exceptional educators is essential for the future of teaching. In addition, she has long served as an adjunct professor at Flint Hills Technical College, teaching composition courses. Recognizing the vital role communication skills play in students’ future success, she recently completed the graduate program required to teach college-level communication courses and now instructs Composition I and II, public speaking, and interpersonal communication, three of which she offers as dual credit at Northern Heights High School.

Madinger’s principal praises her unwavering commitment to challenge herself and create better opportunities for her students while continually adapting traditional teaching practices to meet the demands of our ever-changing world. Mr. Watkins observes, “More impressive than her exceptional teaching ability is her adeptness in creating strong relationships with her students. Regardless of background or academic prowess, Ms. Madinger is able to identify and connect with most, if not all, of her students.

Marylavonne Roseberry USD 439 Sedgwick High School High School English + Speech Communications Kansas Master Teacher.

Marylavonne Roseberry

Marylavonne Roseberry is one of the few English Teachers at Sedgwick High School. Sedgwick is a small rural town north of Wichita. Sedgwick High School is a 7-12 building where many teachers and amenities are shared between the high school and middle school. Sedgwick has lots of involvement from the students and community. The majority of the USD 439 students are involved in KSHSAA activities and the community is always there to support them. Mrs. Roseberry herself encourages students to be involved by being a coach for Forensics and Debate. Roseberry states “The small staff at USD 439 strives to create opportunities for all of the students to have opportunities to be successful inside and outside of school by creating and offering a variety of clubs, activities, and athletics.”

Mrs.Roseberry’s teaching philosophy is based on the thought that education should not be a one-size-fits-all. She strives to be a teacher that recognizes and celebrates each student's particular case. With this being said, Marylavonne understands that no two students are the same and need to be taught differently. She expresses how everyone deserves an equal education but realizes that not all students receive the same learning opportunities. Mrs. Roseberry believes that once a teacher recognizes every student's uniqueness and needs they can construct an inclusive and supportive classroom. Her main goal in teaching is to make an impact and help shape future generations. In her portfolio, she writes, “The most effective way to ensure that all students receive an equal and equitable education is through differentiationadapting teaching strategies, resources, and assessments to meet the varied needs of each student, while still holding all learners to high standards.”

Roseberry is an English teacher who takes pride in what she does. She sees the English Language as a continual staircase with all steps being mandatory for the next step in learning. Every lesson she teaches sets the foundation for the next and so on. “One lesson alone cannot encapsulate the full depth of what is being taught; rather, it is the integration of many lessons and experiences over time that allow for deep, lasting understanding.” She strives to make each lesson important and engaging for students. Recently, she created a mock trial of "The Most Dangerous Game" where she separated her students as prosecution and defense attorneys. Her students built arguments based on their literary analysis. In class, they had a mock trial which showed great success. Roseberry loves incorporating fun class assignments like this and plans to keep using interactive lessons to reach her students.

Mary was the first person in her family to earn a college degree, which gave her the motivation to go back to college to earn a degree in education. In 2014 she began teaching and after 5 years, she began coaching forensics. Along with forensics, she is the Speech and Debate teacher. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree, with this she can offer dual credit classes in speech courses. Other than teaching and coaching, she has been involved in other tasks. In 2014 she became a member of the Kansas Association of Teachers of English. In 2021, she became a member of the National Speech and Debate Association and the Kansas Speech Communication Association. In 2022, she started her involvement with the Kansas National Educators Association. Through all of these associations, she has used these opportunities to grow and has done various activities to be an active voice. Through her time on these copious associations, she has served as a chair member, organized different events, and created workshops. All of these have helped her develop as a teacher. She sees every opportunity to learn and help create the best possible environment for each student.

Rochelle Mann Kansas Master Teacher 2025 USD 265 Goddard K-4 Music Educator.

Rochelle Mann

Rochelle Mann, a passionate K-4 music educator at Amelia Earhart Elementary in USD 265 Goddard, is dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of music in every child. In a rapidly evolving suburban district, she navigates the challenges of growth and diversity with her commitment to inclusive music education. Her passion is ensuring that every student, regardless of background or ability, experiences the transformative power of music.

Her philosophy extends beyond mere musical instruction, focusing on the process of creation and collaboration. Amelia Earheart principal Marney Hay stated, “I have witnessed Rochelle passionately talking about students and education and how best to support all students, no matter their musical knowledge or ability. I have seen her inspire students in her classroom to be more than they thought they could be, to embrace their musical abilities through singing and playing instruments.” Drawing inspiration from Zoltan Kodály, she emphasizes the holistic development of a “well-trained ear, a well-trained intelligence, a well-trained heart, and a well-trained hand.” This foundational belief drives her hands-on approach, utilizing manipulatives and innovative technologies to help students internalize musical concepts. Her dedication to empathy and connection is visible in her intentional use of multicultural music and collaborative activities, creating an environment where every child feels valued and included.

Her innovative teaching practices, such as the school-wide “The Dot” project, demonstrate her ability to ignite creativity and foster a sense of accomplishment. As a colleague noted, “Rochelle has a unique ability to make music accessible to all students, even those who typically struggle in other areas.” Her “doggedness” in reaching “hard-to-reach” students is a hallmark of her teaching, as she strives to make every child a “hero” in the classroom, building self-worth and positive interactions.

Mann addresses the challenges of reduced contact time by reimagining her curriculum and maximizing instructional efficiency. She embraces modern approaches like Modern Band, connecting students to contemporary music and fostering a lifelong love of music. Her commitment to community engagement is evident in her impactful programs, including the annual 3rd-grade Veteran’s Program and family drumming nights. “Rochelle’s dedication to connecting students with their community is truly remarkable,” one supporter wrote. “Her Veteran’s Program is a moving tribute, and her family drumming nights bring joy and unity to our community.”

Rochelle’s continuous professional growth is driven by a desire to better serve her students. Her journey, enriched by personal experiences and a commitment to lifelong learning, has led her to explore Music Therapy, World Music Drumming, and Orff Schulwerk. “Rochelle’s passion for learning and her willingness to adapt and grow are truly inspiring,” another letter stated. “She is constantly seeking new ways to reach her students and improve her teaching.” She views professional development as a means to reach all students, advocating for their unique abilities and fostering their success.

• KTOY (Kansas Teacher of the Year) - 2020 Division Semi-Finalist Elementary Level and workshop co-presenter
• KMEA (Kansas Music Educators Association) - Coda Grant Recipient and Member (17 years)
• KMEK (Kodaly Music Educators of Kansas) - State-Wide Music Workshop Host and Member
• KEEN (Kansas Exemplary Educators Network) - Presenter and Member (5 years)
• KSDE #EDCHAT Online Host

Now, Mrs. Mann can add Kansas Master Teacher to her list of honors. Mrs.Mann is a new Kansas Master Teacher because of the dedication and love she puts into her classroom. A former student now in fifth grade wrote, “ She should get Kansas Master Teacher of the Year because she makes everyone feel welcome and cared for.”

Rochelle Mann’s dedication, innovation, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of music make her a Kansas Master Teacher. She strives to create a world where every child can discover their musical voice and experience the joy of creation, leaving a lasting impact on her students and community. Her work is a testament to the power of music to connect, inspire, and transform lives.