Business Education teacher Elizabeth Anstine of Kansas has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Kansas State Collegian
It is always my pleasure to shine a spotlight on an outstanding educator who works in a public school. One of these is Elizabeth Anstine of Overland Park, Kansas. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Elizabeth teaches courses in business, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth. In addition, she serves as an advisor for Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). In this role, she cultivates an inclusive program that consistently produces internationally ranked students. She also sponsors the Interact club to foster global understanding and she is heavily involved in her school’s Building Leadership Team, developing strategies to enhance student achievement. She has worked at the school for the past 12 years.
Before accepting her position as a Business Education teacher, Elizabeth spent nearly two decades in senior corporate marketing roles. During these years, she volunteered with Junior Achievement in Kansas City’s inner-city schools. Following her corporate career, she dedicated herself to volunteering in the Olathe, Kansas, School District, where her children were enrolled. There she assisted in Blue Ribbon applications, initiated a district-wide Battle of the Books competition, established mentoring programs, served in a leadership role in the booster club, and participated in school site councils. She also worked as a substitute teacher and AVID tutor.
As someone who entered the teaching profession later than many educators, Elizabeth says she wants to continue mentoring young teachers and those who think they have something to contribute to the classroom. “I didn’t have that dream until I was 40,” she once remarked. “I want them to know they’ll be rewarded when they set out to do great things. I just want to be an example that anyone can rise to the occasion,” she continued.
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Fort Hays State university and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas.
