Kansas NEA

10/12/2026

Today, Oct. 12, is Indigenous Peoples Day and recognizes and celebrates the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples. It is an opportunity to gain understanding and knowledge.

We honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous communities. This day is a time to reflect, learn and stand in solidarity with Native peoples – past, present and future.

10/09/2026

What is the federal voucher program, and why should Kansas educators care?

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Kansans can redirect up to $1,700 of their federal income taxes to scholarships for private school tuition. Under the proposed rules, married couples could claim up to $3,400. Kansas opted in when the Legislature overrode the governor’s veto of SB 361 this April.

Here’s the catch:
• No cap and no end date
• About 95% of U.S. children qualify, according to Treasury. This isn’t limited to low-income families.
• Private schools receiving the money don’t have to meet the accountability rules public schools do

Every dollar claimed is federal revenue that doesn’t get collected, revenue that also pays for programs like Title I and special education.

KNEA opposes this credit and supports its repeal.

Make your voice heard. Treasury released its proposed rules last week. Public comments are due Dec. 1, 2026.

Comment at regulations.gov (docket IRS-2026-1354). Use your own time and personal email.

10/08/2026

🎃 Are you getting the most out of your KNEA and NEA membership?

Want to learn how to save money on everything from travel and dining to shopping and caring for your furry friends? Interested in learning about your complimentary life insurance benefit and the importance of designating a beneficiary?

Join KNEA Communications and NEA Member Benefits via Zoom from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, for a hauntingly good time learning about the benefits that come along with being a KNEA and NEA member.

Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://bit.ly/4rdxFaE to register.

👻 Bonus: There will be prizes! Don't miss this fun Halloween-themed event. 🎃

10/08/2026

✅✅✅ UPDATE: The issue has been resolved, and you can reach KNEA headquarters and staff members via phone in Topeka. Thank you for your patience!

KNEA headquarters is currently experiencing an internet outage, which means phone lines are down in our Topeka office. Staff members working at Topeka headquarters are available via email or cell phone. We are working to resolve this issue and expect to have it fixed sometime today. Thank you.

09/29/2026

Sept. 30 is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding School Survivors. Observed alongside Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the day is also known as Orange Shirt Day.

You are invited to wear orange tomorrow, Sept. 30, to honor the children who never returned home and the survivors, families and communities affected by the Native American boarding school era.

Kansas is one of at least seven states recognizing the Day of Remembrance through official proclamations. Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation in August recognizing Sept. 30, 2026, as the Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools.

According to the proclamation, from 1819 through the 1960s, the federal government funded 526 boarding schools in 38 states, including 13 in Kansas, removing children as young as 3 from their homes and traditional lands.

Resources:
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition - https://bit.ly/3uoZteG
NEA: Resources for Teaching About Indigenous Peoples - https://bit.ly/3Chrx8s

09/29/2026

National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, celebrates Hispanic history, cultures and contributions. While this is a monthlong celebration, every day provides an opportunity to explore, learn about and appreciate the experiences, contributions, traditions and rich tapestry of cultures that have helped shape Kansas and our nation.

For more information, classroom lessons, activities and more, visit the National Education Association's toolkit at https://bit.ly/39iPOgi.

09/25/2026

Exciting news from Tonganoxie! Together, we're stronger!

WE HAVE A CONTRACT!!!

Guess what’s not on it!??!? Double dock days.

The Tonganoxie negotiating team fought for our teachers. We know how hard you work; we know how much you love your students; we know how deserving you are of your PTO days.

Thanks to the Tonganoxie community who showed up for us by speaking at the board meeting, garnering social media attention, and designing our great new Tongie teacher tees!!

WE ❤️ TONGIE TEACHERS!!

09/20/2026

KNEA and its members want to congratulate Brandy Lane as the 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY)!!

Lane - a member of KNEA - is a seventh-grade English language arts educator at Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, Goddard USD 265.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, Lane was named the 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) at the Kansas Teacher of the Year Banquet at the Marriott Hotel in Wichita. She was selected from a field of eight candidates, according to the Kansas State Department of Education. (KSDE), which sponsors the program.

KNEA leadership, members of KNEA's Board of Directors and additional members of the association attended Saturday night's KTOY banquet to celebrate Lane and the other outstanding educators honored at the event.

Read more about Lane, the 2027 KTOY team and the program at https://www.ksde.gov/news-center/news-releases/2026/09/20/goddard-english-language-arts-educator-named-2027-kansas-teacher-of-the-year.

09/15/2026

"We know we got here because certified staff kept showing up and making their voices heard!"

What a powerful statement from United Teachers of Wichita.

Great news from UTW: Its tentative agreement has received sufficient votes to be accepted and is headed toward ratification!