Superintendent highlights teacher awards, Read Across SMSD and upcoming college clinic

Superintendent Mike Schumacher used his report to highlight teacher recognitions, reading initiatives and a college information event.

Why it matters: Awards and district programs spotlight teacher achievement, support reading access for students and announce a free college‑exploration opportunity for high schoolers.

Key points - Awards: Two beginning educators were named Shawnee Mission Horizon Award nominees — Jordan Dombrowski (secondary language arts, Shawnee Mission East High School) and Hope Smiley (third grade, Rising Star Elementary School). Schumacher said the Kansas State Department of Education will select 32 winners statewide. - Teacher of the Year nominees: Shawnee Mission’s Kansas Teacher of the Year nominees are Julia Orth (third grade, Neiman Elementary) for elementary and Audrey Gilroy (art teacher, Westridge Middle School) for secondary. - Project Lead The Way recognition: Renee Chambers, a PLTW engineering instructor, received a Project Lead The Way outstanding-teacher recognition in engineering. - Read Across SMSD: Schumacher introduced the district’s Read Across SMSD program for September, featuring Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship in the United States by Rajani LaRocca and student segments from Santa Fe Trail Elementary. - College clinic: A free college-exploration event for all district high-school students will be held 6:30–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Shawnee Mission East High School, 7500 Mission Road. Schumacher said a link and parking instructions would be included in the meeting recap. - Podcast: Schumacher noted district podcast episodes that included stories about inclusivity and the district’s goal for students to earn market value assets (MBAs) by 2030.

Ending The superintendent concluded his report and handed the meeting back to the board to begin discussion items.