Congratulations to Matthew Mayeske, social studies teacher at Gardner Edgerton High School, selected as the USD 231 Secondary Teacher of the Year!
Matthew is in his fifth year as a high school social studies teacher within the Gardner Edgerton School District, teaching freshmen geography and honors geography and sophomore world history. Mr. Mayeske is also a graduate of Gardner Edgerton High School (2013). Matthew has been an assistant coach for the Blazers Track & Field team for the past two years, assisting in sprints and specializing in hurdles. Before coaching at the high school level, Matthew coached at Wheatridge Middle School during his first two years in the district. Matthew holds a Master of Science in Teaching, with a concentration in English Language Learning education, from Pittsburg State University and a Bachelor in Secondary Social Studies Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University.
Matthew is involved in various leadership teams and groups at Gardner Edgerton High School, including the Building Leadership Team (BLT), Site Council, Climate and Culture Committee, and the Freshmen Focus Group (2018-2022). Matthew is also the sponsor of multiple clubs and student organizations at GEHS, including Anime Club, Geography Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Table Top Club, Ping Pong Club, Philosophy Club, and the newest GEHS club, American Sign Language! These clubs meet regularly and allow high school students to socialize, bond, and engage with one another in growth-oriented, specialized ways.
Matthew is proud to be a USD 231 employee. Daily, he strives to personify his philosophy of education – model to students what positive, academically-minded, and honest human interactions can look like. Matthew invests time and effort in demonstrating to students that there are adults who care deeply about them – beyond their grades and talents. Matthew is honored to be chosen as the District Secondary Teacher of the Year and wishes to make the Gardner Edgerton School District proud!
Matthew will now move to the state level and participate in the Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) selection process. The KTOY Program recognizes a Regional Finalist for each of the eight (8) regions. From the eight Representatives, a Kansas Teacher of the Year is selected. As a team, these designees are provided professional learning opportunities, visit school districts around the state, advocate for education at the state level, and represent teachers across Kansas. The Kansas Teacher of the Year is nominated to represent Kansas in the National Teacher of the Year Program. For additional information about the state program, visit www.ksde.org.
Congratulations, Matthew!!!