Excellence in Education Awards

The Excellence in Education Awards were founded in 2019 with the goal of highlighting and recognize the incredible educators that serve public school students in Kansas City. These awards have recognized educators in four individual categories: Star Leader, Star Administrator, Star Support, and Star Teacher, as well as recognizing teams within schools with the Star Team award. Each individual award winner receives $10,000. Starting in 2022, the Kansas City Royals Foundation co-funded the event, matching SchoolSmartKC’s award and doubling the number of awards given each year. Starting in 2024, SchoolSmartKC introduced a special award for Pre-K educators, highlighting the significant impact that early education makes to lifelong success.

The alumni of Excellence in Education represent the best of the best in Kansas City. Each year, SchoolSmartKC partner’s with fellow organizations including the Kansas City Public Schools and Missouri Public Charter Schools Association to tell their incredible stories.

Excellence in Education Award Winners

2024 Winners

Star Administrator ($10,000)

Erin Opara (Charter)
Chelsea Millar (KCPS)

Star Leader ($10,000)

Tricia DeGraff (Charter)
Jessie Kirksey (KCPS)

Star Support ($10,000)

Yolanda Irvin (Charter)
Victoria Jenkins (Charter)
Lorena Patiño (Charter)
Christine Allenbrand (KCPS)
Amy Carlson (KCPS)
Danita Saffold (KCPS)

Star Pre-K Educator ($10,000)

Danielle Britt (Charter)

Star Team ($5,000)

Garfield Elementary School PLC Team (KCPS)
Carver Dual Language School PLC Team (KCPS)
Frontier Schools – 3rd Grade Team (Charter)
Guadalupe High School – Academies Team (Charter)

2023 Winners

Star Administrator ($10,000)

Levette Amerison (Charter)
Seth Oldham (KCPS)

Star Leader ($10,000)

Heather Royce (Charter)
Takeisha Brown (KCPS)

Star Support ($10,000)

Blake Smith (Charter)
Tierra Jackson (Charter)
Steven O’Sullivan (Charter)
Carina Button (KCPS)
Jami Evans Arreola (KCPS)
Katherine Zeeck (KCPS)

Star Team ($5,000)

Gladstone Elementary PLC Team (KCPS)
Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts PLC Team (KCPS)
Brookside Charter Kindergarten Team (Charter)
KCIA Student Success Team (Charter)

2022 Winners

Star Administrator ($10,000)

Ryan Brennan (Charter)
Lauren Amicone (KCPS)

Star Leader ($10,000)

Tara Haskins (Charter)
Dana Carter (KCPS)

Star Support ($10,000)

Janice Thomas (Charter)
Brad Sweeten (Charter)
Jerry Sypert (Charter)
Valerie Zigeler (KCPS)
Gertrude “Trudy” Price (KCPS)
Yvonne Russell (KCPS)

Star Team ($5,000)

Trailwoods Elementary Team (KCPS)
Northeast Middle School Team (KCPS)
Gordon Parks Elementary Care Team (Charter)
Family and Community Engagement Team (Charter)