September 2025:
For Immediate Release
Kansas Educators Support Foundation Awards First-Year Teacher Grants to Four Kansas Educators
The Kansas Educators Support Foundation (KESF) is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural First-Year Teacher Classroom Start-Up Grants. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 grant to support classroom supplies, professional clothing, and resources as they are beginning their teaching careers in the 2025–2026 school year. This year’s awardees are Erika Hernandez, Wichita Public Schools (USD 259); Olivia Jepson, Lawrence Public Schools (USD 497); Mary O’Connor, Archdiocese of Kansas City; and Jonathan Rohr, Olathe Public Schools (USD 233).
The First-Year Teacher Grant program was created to ease the financial burden new educators face as they prepare their classrooms and launch their careers. Founded in 2019 by Kansas educator Erica Shook, KESF was born out of a passion to support educators and address teacher shortages across the state. Proceeds from the Kansas Proud Educator specialty license plate directly fund these grants, ensuring that new teachers have the tools and confidence they need to thrive in the classroom.
“We are thrilled to see this dream come full circle,” said Shook. “What began as an idea to support Kansas teachers through the Proud Educator license plate has grown into a foundation that now awards direct support to first-year teachers. Erika, Olivia, Mary, and Jonathan represent the best of Kansas education, and we are honored to invest in their success as they begin their careers.”
For more information about the Kansas Educators Support Foundation, the Proud Educator license plate, or future grant opportunities, visit www.kseducatorsfoundation.org.
Kansas Educators Support Foundation Awards First-Year Teacher Grants to Four Kansas Educators
The Kansas Educators Support Foundation (KESF) is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural First-Year Teacher Classroom Start-Up Grants. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 grant to support classroom supplies, professional clothing, and resources as they are beginning their teaching careers in the 2025–2026 school year. This year’s awardees are Erika Hernandez, Wichita Public Schools (USD 259); Olivia Jepson, Lawrence Public Schools (USD 497); Mary O’Connor, Archdiocese of Kansas City; and Jonathan Rohr, Olathe Public Schools (USD 233).
The First-Year Teacher Grant program was created to ease the financial burden new educators face as they prepare their classrooms and launch their careers. Founded in 2019 by Kansas educator Erica Shook, KESF was born out of a passion to support educators and address teacher shortages across the state. Proceeds from the Kansas Proud Educator specialty license plate directly fund these grants, ensuring that new teachers have the tools and confidence they need to thrive in the classroom.
“We are thrilled to see this dream come full circle,” said Shook. “What began as an idea to support Kansas teachers through the Proud Educator license plate has grown into a foundation that now awards direct support to first-year teachers. Erika, Olivia, Mary, and Jonathan represent the best of Kansas education, and we are honored to invest in their success as they begin their careers.”
For more information about the Kansas Educators Support Foundation, the Proud Educator license plate, or future grant opportunities, visit www.kseducatorsfoundation.org.
June 2019:
Thanks to a generous donation from Strada Education Network, the Kansas Educators Support Foundation was recently able to provide $1000.00 grants to 7 Kansas CTE educators to attend this year's San Diego teacher field trip, Tuesday, June 11 through Saturday, June 15, hosted by Dyane Smokorowski. Educators will tour and explore:
Dennis Munk - Haysville
Zach Kliewer - Haysville
JC Zahradnik - Chaparral
Jen Clark - Chaparral
Sarah Koehn - Andover
Erin Eilert - Olathe
Taylor Stucky - McPherson
- Design 39 Campus
- High Tech High
- ENCenter Forestry Preschool
- Road Trip Nation
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Gaslight Area
- Balboa Park
- Sunset Beach Cliffs
Dennis Munk - Haysville
Zach Kliewer - Haysville
JC Zahradnik - Chaparral
Jen Clark - Chaparral
Sarah Koehn - Andover
Erin Eilert - Olathe
Taylor Stucky - McPherson