Social Studies teacher and coach Taylor Bussinger of Olathe, Kansas, has been named the 2024 State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Olathe Reporter

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for his work in the classroom. Today I share the story of Taylor Bussinger, a middle school teacher who has been named the 2024 Kansas State Teacher of the Year.

Taylor teachers US History and Leadership courses to eighth graders at Prairie Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kansas. In addition to his teaching duties, Bussinger serves as the Head Boys Basketball Coach, the Head Cross Country Coach, and the co-founder and sponsor of the school’s Diversity Council. His career as an educator spans ten years.

The honored educator has a strong philosophy about education. “My job is not necessarily teaching history, but putting kids in a position where they’re doing the work of a historian, considering a topic and looking at it from multiple perspectives,” explains Taylor.

Taylor earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Social Studies from the University of Kansas in 2014. He earned his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas in 2018. In addition to his selection as the Kansas State Teacher of the Year, he was named a Horizon Award nominee in 2015 and he won an Educator Excellence Award in 20I8.

As the Kansas State Teacher of the Year, Taylor garnered a $4,000 cash award; the Kansas Teacher of the Year Lifelong Learning Scholarship to attend participating universities free of charge during his duration of teaching in Kansas; a Jostens “Leader in Education ring.” For the next year, he will travel around the state to advocate for education and provide professional development for his fellow teachers.

To read more about Taylor Bussinger, click on this link to an article about him published by The Kansas City Star.