Kansas State Department of Education
TOPEKA — A Quinter teacher is among the finalists for the 2026 Dale Dennis Kansas Teacher of the Year award from the Kansas State Board of Education
The annual awards program and banquet will be held Sat., Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. in the Wichita Marriott Hotel, 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive, in Wichita.
The finalists include Tracie Betz, a classroom teacher at Quinter Elementary School, Quinter USD 293; Tranda Strnad, an art teacher at Republic County High School, Republic County USD 109; Troy St. Clair, a Pre-K-5 physical education teacher at Scott Dual Magnet, Topeka USD 501; Julie Smith, a business and digital media teacher at Santa Fe Trail High School, Santa Fe Trail USD 434; Rachel Marlow, a music teacher at Central Elementary School in Olathe USD 233; Lauren Sage, a biology and environmental science teacher at F.L. Schlagle High School, Kansas City USD 500; Susan Rogers, a first grade teacher at Derby Hills Elementary School, Derby USD 260; and Jason Peters, a mathematics teacher at Hesston High School, Hesston USD 460.
Several dignitaries will be in attendance, including Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson, members of the Kansas State Board of Education, business representatives, and veteran Kansas Teacher of the Year team members.