Math teacher Anita Curtis was nominated for the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year Award.

Curtis teaches both Calculus and College Algebra courses. 

“If we don’t understand (the subject), she lets us come in before school or if we want help, we can come in after school too,” junior Trinity Kuntz said.

Each school district in the state of Kansas is allowed to nominate two teachers for this award, one from a primary school and one from a secondary school.

“It is super exciting, after many years of hard work, to be recognized in this capacity,” Curtis said.

“It’s exciting for me to be able to say that my district thought high enough of me to give me this kind of award.”

Curtis has 26 years of teaching experience. She is known for her ability to help all students understand her classwork and use critical-thinking skills out in the real world.

“I had her for Pre-AP Calculus last year, and she helped me a lot with understanding that and I was actually able to pass with an A,” junior Madi Grady said.

The nominees from each school district received tours to different schools across the state to see how others taught their students.

“I will get to tour each of those home districts for the other people, and they’ve been really fun so far,” Curtis said.

“It’s really eye-opening for me, even in my own district because I got to see things in the Derby district that I didn’t know were happening.”