KNEA Ambassadors kick off advocacy at Kansas Legislative Session

From left, Anna Moon-Bradley, KNEA Director of Teaching and Learning, Ruthe Goff, a KNEA-R member, and Timothy R. Graham, KNEA Director of Government Relations, at the first Ambassador Table of the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session.

By Ann Marie Bush

KNEA Communications Director

As legislators and visitors entered the Statehouse on Monday, Jan. 12, they were greeted by KNEA-R members Ruthe Goff and Chris Huntsman at the first Ambassador Table of the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session.

The Kansas National Education Association’s (KNEA) At The Table program is designed to provide KNEA members an opportunity to play a direct role in advocacy by bringing them face to face with the process and policymakers.

For Goff, these face-to-face interactions are what make advocacy meaningful

“I enjoy being in the Capitol to see legislators face to face,” Goff said. “They get to see a real person at the table, and they get to hear our stories. It helps bring a personal touch.”

It isn’t just legislators who ambassadors interact with, Goff said. In previous years, she also has spoken with high school students who are considering becoming educators, as well as retired educators who now work at the Capitol as staff members.

“I think we brighten their day,” Goff said.

Goff and Huntsman greeted legislators and visitors, answered questions about KNEA and distributed materials.

“It was a great thing to greet legislators returning to work,” Huntsman said. “It’s important for us to advocate for our children and their future.”

Want to make a difference? Join KNEA’s At the Table program: https://bit.ly/4pDxinx.

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