Kansas Master Teacher Jessica Buchanan

“I strive to be that advocate for students through my focus on building relationships to get to know each one as an individual person, and I prepare my students for a successful future by incorporating the 4 C’s into my curriculum: communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration,” she wrote.

To build and maintain relationships, Buchanan believes it is important to be available both inside and outside the classroom. She coaches track, attends athletic games, chaperones dances, among several other activities.

“Showing up for students not only as their engineering teacher, but in the other events that are important to them shows them that I care about them as more than a learner, and that trust extends into our classroom, which I truly believe has a positive impact on student learning,” she wrote.

Buchanan stated that it’s important to understand each student as a person, but also understand where they are academically, and their social-emotional strengths. In the first week of class, she has her students do team building activities, which allows students to get to know each other and she gets to see how each student fits into the class culture.

“I plan days early in the semester where students work individually or with partners so I can sit with them and have a conversation to get to know them better,” she wrote. “I also ask for feedback on lessons, so I know what type of learning styles work best for each student, and then mold my lesson plans to give choices to students for how they learn best.”

The second part of Buchanan’s philosophy focuses on preparing students for success in a 21st century workforce.

“Our very first project of the semester is creating a prototype of a foot orthosis for a child with cerebral palsy,” she wrote. “This project requires students to communicate their ideas as they brainstorm and they work through designing, testing, and redesigning their orthosis.”

Buchanan also is highly engaged in her community through activities and an externship with Textron Aviation over the summer.

“During the week, we learned what opportunities they have for students and employability skills they look for when hiring for various positions,” she wrote. “With my knowledge of what opportunities they have available, I have been able to connect students with shadowing opportunities and Textron’s internship program.”

She also started a program called WatchDOGS (Dads of Great Students) at Maize Middle School, where father figures are invited to come to the school for a day to work with students.

“When the kids have a positive male role model who shows up for them, it demonstrates the importance of education, and they love having them join class” she wrote. “Before this program, we did not have a single opportunity for parents to come to our building during a school day.”

Buchanan earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Wichita State University in 2015 and a master of science in instructional coach/teacher leader from Emporia State University in 2020.

Chad Cramer, principal of Maize Middle School, attested to Buchanan’s excellence in teaching. He wrote that Buchanan provides an important balance for middle school students that allows them to reach their maximum potential.

“She has both an outstanding understanding of the curriculum associated with her content area and a unique set of skills blended with both compassion and accountability that serve middle school students well,” he wrote. “Students in Mrs. Buchanan’s classes feel connected, are held to high academic standards and are accountable for behaviors and actions that support an engaging academic environment.”