WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A language arts teacher at Andover Middle School has been named the 2013 Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Dyane Smokorowski won the honor during ceremonies Saturday night in Wichita.
As Teacher of the Year, she receives a $4,000 cash award and an educational technology package worth about $11,000.
In addition to teaching eighth-graders, Smokorowski works with other teachers across Kansas and the nation to better use technology in their classrooms.
The other seven finalists were Colleen Mitchell of the Emporia school district, Sarah Berblinger of the Buhler district, Laura Moyers of the Leavenworth district, Sue Commons of the Baxter Springs district, Judy Domke of the Blue Valley district, Scott Keltner of the Eudora district and Ramie Allison of the Haysville district.
The finalists each get a $2,000 cash award.
