Shawnee Mission West senior, Ada Knechtel, paints a positive picture when recalling her time in Audrey Gilroy’s Westridge Middle School art classroom. Gilroy, she says, has an extraordinary gift for making each student feel seen, valued, and capable.
Audrey Gilroy, art teacher, was recently honored as a finalist for 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) by the Kansas State Department of Education. In addition to serving as SMSD’s district KTOY nominee as a secondary teacher, she also was recently honored as an All Star by the Shawnee Mission Board of Education. This honor is given to recognize educators who embody the vision of the Shawnee Mission School District by serving our learners, teams, and community with excellence.
“Every day I looked forward to going to her art classes because of the sense of community that the classroom was filled with,” Knechtel shared. “I have the fondest memories of my classmates and I excitedly going around the room, table-to-table, admiring and complimenting each other’s art. She cultivated such a positive environment.”
That sense of community extends to every student, said parent Amanda Connealy, who shared the impact Gilroy had on her child with special needs. Connealy noticed how from the very beginning, Gilroy worked to find out about her daughter’s interests and inspirations.
“She used all of those elements to inspire the art projects she worked on, helping her better connect to the curriculum,” Connealy shared. “The creativity and intentional teaching allowed my child to experience a sense of self-expression that was difficult in many of her other classes. Beyond artistic skills, Ms. Gilroy helped my child experience inclusion, success and joy – gifts that are truly invaluable to our family.”
The art that was shared throughout Westridge Middle School is a celebration of student voice, Principal Martha Mendoza explained.
“The visual transformation of our school from murals to framed exhibits is a direct reflection of her commitment to a student-centered art program and inclusive school culture,” Mendoza added. “She exemplifies excellence in teaching, advocacy for students, and believes in the power of what arts can do for students.”
Gilroy reflected on how grateful she was to be recognized as a state finalist.
“This recognition feels especially meaningful because I see it not as an individual accomplishment, but a reflection of the incredible students, colleagues, mentors, and families who have been part of my journey,” she added. “I have been fortunate to work alongside educators who inspire me every day and students who continually remind me why this work matters.” This year, 142 educators from across the state were nominated for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Julia Orth, third-grade teacher at Nieman Elementary was also honored at a Region 3 banquet as Shawnee Mission’s elementary-level nominee.
Shawnee Mission School District is the third largest school district in Kansas. The district serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in 34 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools, and several educational centers. It has been consistently ranked among the finest school districts nationwide for its high student performance. The district’s objective is that each student will have a personalized learning plan that will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success. The district serves a diverse student population from 14 cities within northeast Johnson County, Kansas, which is 10 miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit www.smsd.org.
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