Kansas Association of American Educators

Congratulations to Jessica Tracz, kindergarten teacher at Stoney Point North Elementary School, USD 500, Kansas City. She was recently honored as a winner of a KANAAE $500 Teacher Scholarship. Jessica will be attending a neuroscience for optimal learning conference in Santa Barbara, California in July. Congratulations Jessica! If you are a Kansas educator and want to learn more about the KANAAE scholarship and grant program, go to www.aaekansas.org.

Congratulations to Jane Hokanson, PK-12 teacher serving the deaf and hard of hearing students at the Southwest Kansas Area Cooperative, USD 613. Jane was honored at a recent SKAC board meeting. She will be using the $500 KANAAE grant to purchase materials which will be used to create multi sensory, thematic language kits accessible to students across grade levels. Congrats Jane!

Brittany Jonker, kindergarten teacher at New Life Christian Academy, Gardner, was honored this morning at a school assembly for winning a KANAAE $500 Classroom Grant. Brittany has purchased the Haggerty Library set of decodable books used for small group instruction and designed for early elementary students. Congrats Brittany!

Congratulations to Daisy Adams, 5th grade teacher at Kanopolis Middle School, USD 327 Ellsworth! She was recently awarded a $500 Classroom Grant at her school. Daisy will be using the funds to enhance her classroom reading library to include current popular books as well as timeless book titles. Congrats Daisy!

Whitney Rogers, 4th grade teacher at George Nettles Elementary School, USD 250, Pittsburg, was recently recognized for winning a $500 KANAAE Classroom Grant. She was honored at a recent faculty meeting at her school. Whitney is using the funds to purchase 7 gallon grow bags for each of the students so they can grow a variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables. Congratulations Whitney!

Brittan Jost, history teacher at El Dorado Middle School, USD 490, was honored recently as one of the winners of the KANAAE ‘25 Doug Barnett History Teacher Scholarship. Brittan will receive a $500 stipend for being selected. Pictured with Brittan is her principal, Mr. Tom Simmons. Congratulations Brittan!

Congratulations to Attison Clark, a Fort Hays State University Senior, who is student teaching at South Grey elementary school in Montezuma Kansas. She was recently awarded the 2025 Doug Barnett History Student scholarship and the $500 stipend that goes with it. Attison was recognized on Monday at a faculty gathering at her school. Congratulations Attison!

Congrats to Natalie Morrison, a teacher who specializes in interventions for kindergarten through fourth grade students at Edgerton Elementary in the Gardner Edgerton USD 231 school district. She was recently awarded a KANAAE $500 Classroom Grant. Natalie will be using the funds to purchase reading resources to strengthen her students ability to practice and master the foundations of reading. Congratulations Natalie! 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Traxler, fourth grade teacher at Mahaffie Elementary School in Olathe, USD 233. Elizabeth was recently awarded a KANAAE $500 classroom grant. She will be using the funds to purchase the Freckle by Renaissance app for English Language Arts to provide equitable access to high-quality, differentiated literacy instruction. By providing students with tools that meet their individual needs, she anticipates fostering improved participation and enthusiasm for reading. Congratulations Elizabeth!

Sarah Card, engineering and drafting teacher at Valley Center High School, USD 262, was recently awarded a $500 KANAAE classroom grant. Sarah will be using the funds to purchase tools, hardware kits, and consumable materials for her principles of engineering, robotics, and hand and power tools classes. Her goal is to make real-world engineering and technical work accessible and engaging while reinforcing design, fabrication, and teamwork skills. Congratulations Sarah!