Congratulating the 2026 Kansas Master Teachers.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Argabright and 5 co-sponsors

Senate Resolution 1727 honors seven Kansas Master Teachers for exemplary teaching and mentorship, publicly recognizing their impact while conveying ceremonial appreciation.

Enrolled on Wednesday, March 4, 2026

#resolutions

Summary of SR 1727 (2025-2026) — Kansas

Purpose and intent

A Senate Resolution congratulating and commending the 2026 Kansas Master Teachers.

Recognizes seven Kansas teachers for long-standing service and exemplary qualities as earnest and conscientious educators.

Expresses appreciation for teachers’ contributions and acknowledges their roles as mentors and role models.

The resolution serves to honor the recipients and publicly thank them for their dedication amid classroom challenges.

Key provisions and changes

Declares the seven educators as the 2026 Kansas Master Teachers:

Emily Chandler — 5th grade, Fort Riley Elementary (USD 475 Geary County)
Casey Ewy — 8th grade social studies, Susan B. Anthony Middle School (USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden)
Kathleen Gilliland — Mathematics and robotics, Emporia High School (USD 253 Emporia)
Heather Hall — Science and research, Blue Valley West High School (USD 229 Blue Valley)
Michelle Kelly — K-5 reading interventionist, Glenwood Ridge Elementary (USD 458 Basehor-Lindwood)
Rachel Tanney — Gifted education, Heatherstone Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary, and Madison Place Elementary (USD 233 Olathe)
Kimberly Tate — 7th grade mathematics, Chisholm Middle School (USD 373 Newton)

Reiterates historical context of the Kansas Master Teacher Awards:

Established by Emporia State University in 1953.
Bank of America has provided enduring funding since 1980 (over $100,000 total endowment for the awards).
An endowed chair for Kansas Master Teachers was created in 1984 by the Black family of Broken Arrow, OK, to support visiting presentations by Master Teachers to education students at Emporia State University.

No substantive policy or budget changes are enacted; the resolution is ceremonial and symbolic, aimed at formal recognition by the state.

Who is affected

The seven named Master Teachers are publicly recognized and honored.

Educational communities and constituencies (students, teachers, school districts) may benefit indirectly through the value placed on exemplary teaching, mentorship, and sharing best practices.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and adopted in the Kansas Senate in March 2026.

Timeline thus far:

Introduced and referred to committee (noted as adopted without roll call on March 3, 2026).
Enrolled on March 4, 2026.

Final action: The resolution is a formal, ceremonial expression of the Senate’s recognition, not a bill that changes law or budget.

Additional context

Sponsorship: Primary Senators Argabright, Gossage, Owens, Rose, Starnes, Thomas, and Warren; co-sponsors include Brad Starnes, Adam Thomas, Beverly Gossage, Stephen Owens, Kellie Warren, and Mike Argabright.

The resolution emphasizes honoring teachers who “go above and beyond” and highlights their impact on students and the teaching profession in Kansas.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with prior Kansas Master Teacher resolutions or summarize the historical funding and endowment details referenced in the resolution.