Kansas Teacher of the Year, team members advocate for education issues at Statehouse

Lauren Sage, a science educator at F.L Schlagle High School in Kansas City USD 500, told the Senate Committee on Education that many topics in education merit discussion, but one stands above the rest - the duty to provide for and protect all of our students

Educator to legislators: ‘Will you protect school funding? Because teachers deserve to be paid a living wage’

By Ann Marie Bush

KNEA Communications Directors

Eight Kansas public school educators advocated at the Kansas Statehouse this week for education issues important to them – and one even challenged members of the Senate Committee on Education to uphold what they have sworn to do – provide for and protect Kansas students.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Kansas Deputy Commissioner of Education Dr. Frank Harwood introduced the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) along with the seven KTOY team members to members of the committee.

The 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Rachel Marlow, shown standing, received applause on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Kansas Statehouse.

“What we really want the Kansas Teacher of the Year team to be is ambassadors for all the rest of the teachers out there …” he said. “We want to show other districts and places across the state, including the Legislature, the high-quality teachers we have here in Kansas.”

Rachel Marlow, a vocal music educator at Central Elementary School in Olathe USD 233 and the 2026 KTOY, and KTOY team members were at the Kansas Statehouse to be introduced on the Kansas House and Senate floors and to recognized for their contributions to teaching.

Marlow was the last of the eight educators to address the committee.

“The policies we make travel far beyond these walls,” she said. “The funding we provide lands in classrooms and in communities.”

Before Marlow spoke, the seven KTOY team members gave passionate presentations on a variety of education topics.

Lauren Sage, a science educator at F.L Schlagle High School in Kansas City USD 500, told Ed Committee members that many topics in education merit discussion, but one stands above the rest.

“In my opinion, the most salient is our duty to provide for and protect all of our students,” she said. “And when I say all of our students, I mean every – single – one.”

Sage shared the story of Linda Brown, a Topeka resident who became the young plaintiff in the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, which declared school segregation unconstitutional.

“When her father, Oliver Brown, took the issue to court, three Kansas judges ruled in favor of segregation,” Sage said. “Shame on them! These judges delayed moving our nation forward toward liberty and justice.

“So, I stand here today in the beautiful Capitol building in Topeka and ask: Will you make a similar mistake of delaying progress? Or will you make the brave and honorable choice to commit yourselves to moving our state in the direction of freedom and equality? Will you support the public educators because we work so hard to ensure our students’ success?”

Sage continued by telling committee members that she and other educators reject school vouchers “that steal money from our public schools” and reroute critical funding to private schools. She urged policymakers to expand mental health services because Kansas students “deserve to survive and thrive through adolescence and into adulthood.”

“Will you protect school funding? Because teachers deserve to be paid a living wage,” Sage said. “Our facilities should be updated when they fall into disrepair, and our students should be fed adequately while within our care.”

She also asked legislators to defend protections for disabled students, warning they could lose essential services tied to their individualized education plans (IEPs).

“If they lose funding, there will be far-felt ramifications for funding across all sectors in education,” Sage said.

Finally, she called on legislators to stand in solidarity with transgender and gender-nonconforming students “because they simply want the basic dignity of being called by then name and pronouns that affirm who they are.”

“Will you protect the students of Kansas because they deserve to learn without fear of gun violence or of being ripped apart from their families who immigrated to this nation for a better future?” she asked. “This is a critical moment in our nation’s history. I am here to ask you: What future do you want for the state of Kansas? What future do you want for our students? And what legacy do you want to leave?”

Troy St. Clair, who teaches physical education at Scott Dual Language Magnet in Topeka USD 501, advocated for both structured and unstructured movement in learning.

“Like most educators, I didn’t begin my career as an expert,” he said. “I began with doubt. I questioned my lessons, my instinct, and whether I was reaching every student. Growth came from trial and error, reflection and perseverance. One of the clearest lessons I’ve learned is that physical movement is not extra – it is essential. When done well, it doesn’t compete with academic learning. It strengthens it.”

The KTOY program includes local, regional and state competitions. Its mission is to build and utilize a network of exemplary educators who are leaders in the improvement of schools, student performance and the teaching profession.

All members of this year’s KTOY team, including Marlow, are Kansas National Education Association members.

For several years, the Kansas Teacher of the Year and the KTOY team have traveled to Topeka to learn about the legislative process and to provide testimony to lawmakers.

Ann Marie Bush can be reached by email at ann.bush@knea.org.