Distinguished Classroom Teachers announced

The Wichita Public Schools is proud to announce the 2022 Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award recipients in their respective categories. The recipients were surprised in their classrooms by BOE members, district leadership, members of the selection committee and family members.

Click here to watch a video of the surprise visits for each recipient. 

The Distinguished Classroom Teacher Awards program honors outstanding teachers who affect the quality of education in the Wichita Public Schools.

Sue Ake, 5^th grade teacher, Gordon Parks Academy – New Teacher, Elementary

Runner up: Taylor Altendorf, 2^nd grade teacher at Kelly Liberal Arts Academy

Abbi Faflick, 6^th-8^th grade vocal music teacher, Coleman Middle School – New Teacher, Secondary category

Runner up: Ashlee Alexander, 9^th-12^th grade math teacher at Heights High School

James Quillen, kindergarten teacher, Cloud Elementary School – Primary (Grades Pre-K – 2) category

Runner up: Danielle McVey, 2^nd grade teacher, Gordon Parks Academy

Megan Campbell, 3^rd grade teacher, Gordon Parks Academy – Intermediate (Grades 3 – 5) category

Runner up: Bailey Gutzmer, 4^th grade teacher, Colvin Elementary School


Kimberlee Hughes, 8^th grade social studies and AVID teacher, Mayberry Cultural & Fine Arts Magnet Middle School – Middle School category

Runner up: Lori Patton, 7^th-8^th grade science teacher, Christa McAuliffe Academy

Joanna Farmer, Agriculture teacher, Southeast High School – High School category

Runner up: Tanja Weir, 9^th-12^th grade science teacher, Heights High School


Jennifer Pollard, PBS counselor, Cloud Elementary School – Support Teacher, Elementary category

Runner up: Crystal Bieberle, K-1^st grade interrelated teacher, Christa McAuliffe Academy

Sara Puetz, library media specialist, Gordon Parks Academy – Support Teacher, Secondary category


Each teacher received a banner celebrating their accomplishment and a gift bag filled with WPS items including a gift card from the Parent-Teacher Resource Center.

Peers, building administrators, parents and/or students have nominated each of the recipients. A committee consisting of principals, assistant principals, teachers, support staff, the assistant superintendents of elementary and secondary schools and a member of United Teachers of Wichita selects the final recipients.

To view prior years’ recipients, click here.

The Distinguished Classroom Teachers will be recognized at the April 11 BOE meeting.