Performing Arts teacher Sarah Koehn has been nominated to be the Kansas State Teacher of the Year for 2024. Photo credit: Andover Public Schools

Congratulations are due to Sarah Koehn, a performing arts teacher from Andover, Kansas. She has been nominated to be the Kansas State Teacher of the Year for 2024.

Sarah teaches theater arts and speech at Andover High School. She has taught there since 2004.

Throughout her teaching career, Sarah has earned the high regard of both her colleagues and her students. “Ms. Koehn provides her students meaningful learning opportunities and maintains high expectations,” says Andover High School Principal Brent Riedy. “The culture she has created within her classroom and during productions is one of equity and inclusion where students feel safe and connected,” Riedy expresses.

Former student Paul Turner agrees. “Ms. Koehn is also an incredible leader, and a mentor to generations of students,” he asserts. “Her leadership and mentorship abilities started with the respect and esteem she had for her students. She saw potential in everyone,” Turner concludes.

Her nomination for Kansas Teacher of the Year is not the only recognition Sarah has earned. In 2022, she was honored as one of three 2022 Wolfe Teaching Excellence Award winners from the University of Kansas School of Education. Sarah also garnered a Horizon Award from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas.