ON THE COVER: Megan Zarate Garcia explores in Nicole Hillmon's Pre-Kindergarten classroom at Crestview Elementary.

Features INSIDE

Schu's News-Updates from Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher

Because Kids Achieve

Rebuilt Elementary Schools Earn LEED Designation

Early Childhood Education Offerings

Innovation, Creativity, Great Ideas. Join us for the 2026 R&D Forum

Keep Learning All Summer Long through Summer Enrichment and Summer Band Blast!
 

Schu's News

Updates from Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher

Something I often talk to my colleagues about is staying ridiculously positive. To me, this has been an important mindset to hold onto. One of the reasons I challenge us with this idea is that while we are fully aware and attentive to any difficulties we face, it is important to remember all there is to celebrate in the Shawnee Mission School District. We continue to see improvements in student attendance rates districtwide. We celebrate that our graduation rate increased in 2025. These accomplishments have taken so much work from our staff, our families, and our students and I know we are all proud of the work our students are doing. As we enter the final weeks of the school year, I look forward to the many celebrations we will share together from the Research and Development Forum (read more on page 10) to commencement. I also invite you to read about more achievements from our school district on page 6.

While we have much to celebrate now, we are still looking forward to the future so that we can continue to help each student achieve their personal best. In recent months, our community members, serving as part of Action Team 4.1.3, put together a Developmental Guide for the use of district-provided technology. We know there are still important questions about the role technology plays in the classroom. This framework is intended to provide a balanced approach to support any purposeful use of electronic devices for educational activity. Visit bit.ly/SMSDDigitalGuide to read the framework. We are also doing important work to address our Strategic Plan strategy of facilities. We celebrate our newly rebuilt elementary schools having achieved LEED status (read more on page 7). Guided by our strategy, we are also in the early stages of considering a potential bond question in 2027. I invite you to read more about the beginning of this process on Page 7. I am also ridiculously positive about and grateful for the continued dedication of our community. You are an important part of what makes us ONE Shawnee Mission and we appreciate you supporting us in all we do Because Kids.

 

Shawnee Mission's Podcast

Shawnee Mission Mic’d Up, the Shawnee Mission School District podcast, continues to highlight the stories and programs that make our district among the best. Recent episodes have highlighted early childhood opportunities, a celebration of Black History Month, middle school cheer, and the legislative session. We encourage everyone to visit www.smsd.org/information-central/micd-up to listen, watch, download, or subscribe.

INTRODUCING HALL PASS

We have so many incredible students and staff in our community and we have launched a new social media series to help you get to know them better. I invite you to watch Hall Pass with Dr. Schu, released each week on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. In each episode, I take a short walk with a student or staff member and we introduce our community to who they are and their Shawnee Mission experience. Visiting schools is one of my favorite parts of my job as Superintendent, and I look forward to you joining me on these visits through Hall Pass!

 

Read Across SMSD

Our community-wide celebration of reading for all ages continues! Everyone is invited each month to Read Across SMSD. One of our most recent episodes highlighted how we all can "Champion Kindness." We appreciate the ongoing partnership with NEA-Shawnee Mission and thank the Shawnee Mission Education foundation for providing Read Across SMSD books to our school libraries.  Visit www.smsd.org to Read Across SMSD.

 

        Achieve!

 

 

ELEMENTARY EXCELLENCE 
Shawnee Mission is home to many of the best elementary schools in Kansas, including the state’s #1 ranked school, Corinth Elementary, according to U.S. News & World Report. Westwood View and Brookwood are in the top 10, with Prairie, Briarwood, and Belinder in the top 25. Ray Marsh, Highlands, Trailwood, and Oak Park-Carpenter are in the top 40 among 936 schools statewide.

TEACHING TRIUMPHS 
Julia Orth, a third grade teacher at Nieman Elementary, and Audrey Gilroy, art teacher at Westridge Middle, have been named district nominees for the prestigious Kansas Teacher of the Year award.

SPELLING SUCCESS 
Jiya Bhavsar, a seventh grader at Indian Hills Middle School, was declared co-champion at the Johnson County Spelling Bee. After 56 grueling rounds, she secured the title with the word ben trovato and advanced to the Sunflower State Spelling Bee.

PRIZED JOURNALISM 
SM Northwest senior Sofia Ball was named the Kansas Student Journalist of the Year by the Kansas Scholastic Press Association. Additionally, the SM East Harbinger received a National Pacemaker award, while SM South’s The Patriot and SM Northwest’s The Northwest Passage were named National Pacemaker finalists at the National High School Journalism Convention. The Pacemaker is the highest honor in high school journalism. Students also earned multiple individual, collaborative, and publication honors.

 

LEED SILVER CERTIFIED

Rebuilt Elementary Schools Earn LEED Designation

There are even more reasons to celebrate the completion of five rebuilt elementary schools in the Shawnee Mission School District. All five of these buildings have now achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver, a designation given to healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings. Rushton, Pawnee, and Tomahawk elementary schools recently joined Westwood View and John Diemer elementary schools as the newest rebuilds to be certified.

“I think it speaks to our commitment to environmental sustainability, making sure that our students and our community members experience the cleanest, healthiest, and best learning environments that we can possibly provide,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher expressed. All of these schools were a part of the $264 million bond approved by Shawnee Mission voters in 2021. They feature a variety of LEED elements including, but not limited to, preservation of 40 percent of green space on site, water-efficient faucets and toilets, energy efficient mechanical systems and appliances, and building designs that utilize natural light.

When we intentionally build spaces for students in this way, it strengthens learning, Dr. David Stubblefield, deputy superintendent, highlighted. “All the research points in that direction,” he added. “The feel of this building when you walk into it really is inviting and allows students to be at their best.”

Students have enjoyed learning in these new environments, noted Bernadette Roche, library media specialist at Pawnee Elementary. “Our students love the collaborative spaces, to move around the building and have cozy corners where they can collaborate in small groups or work with teachers one-on-one,” Roche shared. “The students feel so safe and so comfortable in this space. It really helps promote all of that brain development.”

See a video about these buildings.

Bond Exploration

The Shawnee Mission School District is in the early stages of exploring a potential bond referendum in 2027. On March 23, Dr. David Stubblefield, deputy superintendent, presented a building needs assessment. Visit bit.ly/SMSDFacilitiesNeeds to watch the video. The discussion begins at about 1:42:55. It is always the district’s goal to have state-of-the-art, safe learning spaces for our staff and students. 

 

Early Childhood Education Offerings

When Paige Jones’ daughter, Poppy, walked into her first day of Kindergarten at Rhein Benninghoven Elementary School, she was ready.

“She waltzed right into Kindergarten,” said Jones. “[She was] super confident. She knew the teacher's name. She was waving at students.”

Kindergarten wasn’t Poppy’s first rodeo—so to speak. She started her educational journey the year before in the Rhein Benninghoven Pre-Kindergarten classroom where she “learned school.”

“Pre-K is different,” explained Paige. “It's not daycare. They are learning how to be at school.”

Pre-Kindergarten- Growing Across SMSD

SMSD’s curriculum is intentionally play-based to meet students where they are and encourage engagement. By balancing intentional play with foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional growth, students develop independence and problem-solving skills.

“When teachers plan, they're really thinking about student interest, but also, ‘how can I plan around pre-readers, pre- writers,’” explained Dr. Becky Blizzard, instructional coach for early childhood education. “So, we make sure that everything that we do, especially in each center or in our small groups or in read aloud time, has intentional skills focused from the Kansas standards, and we try to individualize as much as possible.”

Currently, the district offers Pre-K at 21 elementary school sites, along with the Early Childhood Education Center which primarily serves students with special needs. But as the community’s needs grow, so does the district’s commitment.

Plans are underway for a state-of-the-art Early Childhood Education Center to be built on the former Katherine Carpenter Elementary site and designed specifically to facilitate the rapid growth and development happening at this stage.

“This building is designed top to bottom with three-and four-year-olds in mind, and it is so cool, and it's intentionally thought out,” said Dr. Brittany Gonser, director of professional learning.

That intentionality is rooted in the understanding that the first five years of a child’s life are some of the most significant in terms of cognitive development.

“By the time they’re five, something like 90% of their brain has been developed,” explained Nicole Hillmon, a Pre-K teacher at Crestview Elementary. “There are a lot of connections happening and that’s when learning takes place. They are like little sponges!”

Parents as Teachers

And those early years are so significant that SMSD even offers a program specifically designed to empower caregivers to be a child’s first teacher.

The Parents as Teachers (PAT) program is a no-cost, nationally recognized, voluntary initiative available to families from pregnancy until a child reaches kindergarten. PAT provides families with access to certified Parent Educators who conduct personalized home visits to offer support, encouragement,

and advice. These sessions offer research-based insights into child development, provide strategies for navigating common parenting challenges, focus on family well-being, and facilitate specific activities that encourage healthy parent child interaction.

In 2024-2025, SMSD PAT served 465 children with 387 families receiving personal visits. Laura Miller’s family was one of those. She started PAT when her oldest son was eight months old and found the home visits particularly helpful as a first-time parent navigating the early years.

“I felt like I did not know what I was doing so it was nice to have someone tell me that we were hitting the milestones, and we were doing the right things,” said Miller.

“But [our educator] was also really helpful in that she gave us guidance and resources on potty training and fine motor development, and my son is really smart, so she helped me find ways to feed that.”

Beyond individual visits, the program fosters community through group connections while also providing regular developmental screenings to ensure children are reaching key milestones during these formative years.

“The developmental assessments were really helpful because they asked questions I never even thought to ask like, “Can your son pick up a piece of string with his fingers?’” explained Miller. “And there were definitely some things that we were doing great and then other things they gave us activities to work on so we could practice and help my son get better at those skills."

The “productive struggle” of practicing these skills is one that continues into the Pre-K classroom and is a cornerstone of helping students learn how to learn. Whether it’s picking up a piece of string with two fingers or joining the “zipper club” when a child officially learns to zip their coat independently, SMSD’s Early Childhood offerings are designed to prepare and support the community’s littlest learners with academic and life skills.

“Having kids at this age be able to be more independent makes them feel so good about themselves,” said Jones. “And, building on that as they get older, is how they build perseverance for harder academic tasks. So, I'm seeing that with my Kindergartner now.”

By integrating home-based support with intentional, age-appropriate classroom instruction, the SMSD continues to invest in the educational journey of its students and the broader community.

Enroll Now

Families looking to learn more about enrollment opportunities, eligibility requirements, or specific program details are encouraged to consult the Early Childhood section under Academics on the official district website at www.smsd.org.

Innovation. Creativity. Great Ideas. Join Us for the 2026 R&D Forum!

The Shawnee Mission School District’s annual Research and Development (R&D) Forum is returning this spring, and the entire community is invited to take part in this celebration of student innovation and achievement.

Now in its 64th year, the R&D Forum highlights the creativity, talent, and problem-solving skills of students across the SMSD. From artistic expression to scientific exploration, the event showcases the incredible learning taking place in classrooms throughout the district.

Student Showcase Open Houses

The R&D Forum Student Showcase is a districtwide open house featuring projects created during the school year in the areas of science, visual arts, and career and technical education.

Student Showcase Open Houses will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 21, 22, and 23, 2026, at the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA), 8200 W. 71st St. Families, neighbors, staff, and community members are encouraged to attend one or more evenings to celebrate the impressive accomplishments of Shawnee Mission students.

Next Great Idea Live Pitch Competition

Innovation continues on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when finalists in The Next Great Idea pitch competition present their original ideas to a panel of judges.

The live competition will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the CAA. Community members may attend in person or watch the livestream at smsd.org. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will open immediately following the final pitch.

Students compete for prizes, including a $1,000 cash award and up to $1,500 in “Build It” funding to help bring their ideas to life. Additional honors include a $500 People’s Choice Award and a $500 Idea of Promise Award.

An award ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on April 25 at the CAA. The event will be livestreamed on www.smsd.org.

Catching Up with Past Winners

Nathan Mestel, now a senior at Shawnee Mission West, won the competition as a seventh grader for his pitch “The Milk of Human Kindness.” His nonprofit focused on educating the public about food waste and creative ways to repurpose unused food.

After winning the competition, Mestel operated at the Lenexa Farmers Market for a season, created a website, and built a social media presence to help spread awareness.

“I think people should try out the R&D Forum because of the amazing opportunity it provides,” Mestel shared. “I grew a lot, not only as a person, but as an individual in society. The things I'm doing right now - my experience with the R&D Forum absolutely helped prepare me for.”

Fina Kessler, a senior at Shawnee Mission East, was a 2025 Next Great Idea winner for her project “Hoops 4 Her,” a nonprofit organization that empowers girls around the world through basketball.

With the support she received through the competition, Kessler launched the Hoops 4 Her basketball camp in Eldoret, Kenya in the summer of 2025. The camp provided basketball training, competitive games, and educational and empowerment sessions for more than 50 girls.

“Having the opportunity to participate in Next Great Idea helped me develop my presentation and pitching skills and raise funds for my idea,” Kessler said. “I think all students should apply because it’s a great opportunity to work on making a vision possible and gain public speaking skills.”

The Shawnee Mission School District extends its gratitude to the Regnier family for their longstanding support of the R&D Forum.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us this April as we celebrate the innovation and achievement of Shawnee Mission students!

 

Keep Learning All Summer Long through Summer Enrichment and Summer Band Blast!

About Summer Enrichment

Anyone looking for a summer experience for students that combines lerning with fun can find it through the Shawnee Mission School District's Summer Enrichment program.  Summer Enrichment offers a variety of classes designed to help students explore, discover, and take part in hands-on learning activities.

Classes include exploration of nature, science, arts and crafts, woodwoarking, sports, musicals, cooking, and more! Visit Summer Enrichment for more information.

Summer Enrichment is open to students currently in grades Pre-K through 7.  Summer Enrichment will be held at Westridge Middle School, 9300 Nieman Road.  

Weekly classes are offered June 8 - July 17, 2026.  No classes will be held June 19th or the week of June 29-July 4.  Morning and afternoon sessions are available, as early care and lunch care options. 

About Summer Band Blast

This summer, current 5th-8th grade band students are invited to take their musicianship to the next level at Band Blast - a week filled with focused learning, collaboration, and fun. 

Led by some of SMSD's outstanding band directors, students will have the opportunity to dive deeper into their instruments, explore musical concepts that often move quickly during the school year, and strengthen their skills in a supportive, high-energy environment.

Band Blast is the perfect way to keep playing music all summer long. Visit the website for more information including session dates and times.

SUN Meals Help Fuel Summer Fun

When school is out for the summer, Shawnee Mission School District continues supporting students and families through the SUN Meals program (Formerly SMSD Summer Lunch Bunch). Free, nutritious lunches are available for all children 18 and younger, helping ensure students stay energized and ready for summer adventures.

SUN Meals will be served June 1 through July 24, 2026, Monday through Friday (closed June 19 and July 3), from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at several SMSD locations:

• Comanche Elementray: 8200 Grant St., Overland Park
• Rosehill Elementary: 9801 Rosehill Rd., Lenexa
• Shawanoe Elementary: 11230 West 75th St., Shawnee
• Westridge Middle School: 9300 Nieman Rd., Overland Park
• SM West High School: 8800 W. 85th St., Overland Park

The program is open to the community and provides a welcoming space where kids can enjoy a healthy meal during the summer months. Adults may also purchase a meal for $5 (cash only).

To learn more, visit www.smsd.org/about/departments/sns or contact Student Nutrition at 913-993-9710.

 

 

Beyond the Page: SMSD Students Turn Designers

One of Kansas City’s newest museums gives all attendees a chance to travel through exhibits of beloved children’s books and imagine themselves as a character in a story.

Now, students from three Shawnee Mission School District schools are stepping beyond the experience as readers to serve as exhibit designers.

Nieman Elementary, Belinder Elementary, and Indian Hills Middle School are among 11 local schools participating in the “Beyond The Page Challenge” with The Rabbit Hole, Kansas City’s immersive "exploratorium" of children's literature. This Real World Learning opportunity gives students a chance to collaborate with museum professionals and potentially contribute to a new attraction in their city.

The task: find a book, define the “spirit of the book,” and turn it into a scaled physical experience. While the premise sounds simple, the skills involved are complex.

"It really has that ‘real world’ aspect of, this is for a real place with real people who do these things as their job,” explained Shannon Ferreyra, an English Language Arts teacher at Indian Hills. “And [the students] get to interact with Rabbit Hole advisors all along the way. I think it really ties into all those Portrait of a Graduate skills that we're trying to get to.”

Shawnee Mission’s Portrait of a Graduate serves as the vision for what it means for SMSD students to be truly ready after high school. Here is a look at how, through this project, students are strengthening these essential skills:

•             Skilled Communica- tors- Students share their opinions and ideas with their peers and prepare to explain their designs to a panel of judges

•             Effective Collaborators- Students work together, solve problems, and overcome challenges to finalize their project

•             Innovative and Critical Thinkers- Students think through their design ideas and come up with imaginative ways to make them a reality

•             Civic and Global Contributors- Students engage in a project outside of their school building and consider numerous factors about how their design might be experienced by their community

•             Resilient Learners- Students work through the challenges of design and collaborative work, as described by fourth grader Emerson Wilkes.

“I learned that sometimes it can be hard to choose [between] what you want and what's best for your team,” Emerson shared. “Sometimes it's easy, but sometimes it's hard, and you just got to push through it.”

While Nieman and Belinder fourth graders debate story "essence" and author backgrounds, Indian Hills eighth graders discuss architectural requirements.

“The entrance to the Taco Cave needs to be 5-feet tall,” one student noted, “so teenagers and parents can get in.”

The goal is to be named the "winner" by a panel of judges. Competition is steep, with multiple groups per school vying for the top elementary and middle school spots. Regardless of the outcome, these students are proving that on a "real world" stage, they don't just perform—they lead. 

Shawnee Mission Selects New Student Transportation Partner

Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) will partner with Zūm as its new student transportation provider — a transition designed to strengthen the daily experience for students and families. “Reliable transportation is a foundational component of educational access,” shared Dr. David Stubblefield, deputy superintendent. “Our bus drivers are valued members of the Shawnee Mission team, they are often the first to greet students in the morning and the last to say goodbye in the afternoon, building meaningful relationships that help create a positive start and end to each day.”

The decision to partner with Zūm followed a comprehensive review process that involved representatives from many departments across the district, including athletics and activities, business and finance, special education, student and family services, and more. The evaluation focused on ensuring the new transportation system aligns with both student needs and the district’s strategic priorities.

As part of the new partnership, families will gain access to a multilingual parent app that provides real-time bus tracking, notifications, and confirmation of pickup and drop-off.

Having access to real-time information about a student’s bus location, ridership status, and expected arrival time strengthens safety and improves the daily experience for students and families. Across the country, parents have consistently experienced 98% on-time performance and have rated Zūm with a 4.9 out of 5-star rating in student experience across 1.5 million reviews.

Families gain peace of mind through timely notifications when their child boards the bus, arrives at school, and returns home. Drivers are equipped with information that helps them better understand student needs and ensure each route runs smoothly. School administrators receive accurate arrival and ridership data, allowing them to monitor performance and make informed decisions that support students and strengthen service across the district. Together, these tools help us provide a more reliable, responsive, and student-centered transportation experience.

In addition to these technology enhancements, all buses will be fully air-conditioned and equipped with updated safety features. These upgrades are intended to support student and driver comfort while strengthening reliability across the system.

Staffing stability was a key consideration in the review process. While many districts nationwide continue to face driver shortages, Zūm reports no current shortages across its network, driven by a culture that prioritizes competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, guaranteed hours, and clear opportunities for advancement.

Zūm has committed to hiring qualified drivers from the district’s current provider whenever possible to maintain continuity for students and families. Certified drivers are encouraged to apply, and training and certification programs are available for those interested in becoming school bus drivers. Information about open positions and how to apply can be found on the Zūm hiring page.

Additional information, including route assignments and app registration details, will be shared with families in the months leading up to the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The district remains focused on what matters most — getting students to school safely, reliably, and ready to learn each day.

A "Cool" New Tool: How a Shawnee Mission Education Foundation Grant is Expanding Students’ Culinary Toolbox

From a powdered raspberry garnish, to homemade survival meals, students in the Shawnee Mission School District culinary program are perfecting the art (and science) of freeze- dried foods. These edible, educational experiments are possible thanks to the support of the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation and a recent Excellence in Education (E2) grant.

Chef Stephan Venne applied for the grant in 2025 to help students expand their culinary toolbox.

“Part of what we’re trying to do is to expose the students to as many tech- niques and things that they may see out in the industry as possible,” explained Chef Venne.

The large appliance is a unique tool that uses both temperature and pressure to vaporize the liquids in foods while preserving the nutritional value and flavor. One of the first labs for Culinary 2 students was to create a complete meal that they could take camping.

“We needed to have a protein, starch, and a vegetable,” explained Linkin Schroeder, a senior at Shawnee Mission South. “And we freeze dried it so then we just had to reheat it with water to make a fresh meal.”

Some of the more “luxurious” ways the students use the tool involves drying ingredients and turning them into fine powders that can then be incorporated into dishes that the Broadmoor Bistro, Shawnee Mission’s student run restaurant, serves during their regular, weekly dinner service.

“We had a rabbit dish on our dinner menu and we took ramps from the Broadmoor Urban Farm, freeze-dried them, ground them into a powder, and mixed that with mayonnaise and made a ramp, garlic aioli that served as a garnish,” said Chef Venne.

The Broadmoor Urban Farm is on-site at the Center for Academic Achievement and is run by students in the Urban Agriculture and Sustainablity Signature Program. Much of the produce grown on the farm goes straight to the kitchen of the Broadmoor Bistro, creating a true farm- to-table experience for the student chefs and Bistro guests. Extending the shelf-life of the produce grown is another reason why Venne applied for the grant.

“When [the Farm team] brings stuff in to us a lot of times we don’t have immediate use for it,” explained Venne. “So, the opportunity to freeze-dry and use at a later date is always good.”

Reducing the food waste is another area that ties this particular tool’s purpose to the district’s broader goals around sustainability, and the culinary program’s goals of creating a symbiotic relationship with the farm.

“The goal of the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation is to provide Shawnee Mission students with opportunities to excel and lead,” said Foundation Executive Director Kim Hinkle. “The Foundation was thrilled to award this grant, and we’re excited that our culinary students will gain experience with a professional-grade tool and expand their repertoire of skills. The fact that this appliance also creates a learning opportunity around sustainability and food-waste is an added bonus.”

The SMSD culinary program is consistently considered one of the premiere high school culinary programs in the country and adding this professional tool is yet another way our educators and the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation are supporting students and providing unique opportunities to set them up for success.

“It helps us gain general knowledge and be more creative,” shared Schroeder. “It’s just a really cool tool to learn how to use.”

The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation recently awarded more than $37,000 in E2 grants for the 2026-2027 school year. We're excited to see the innovation and creative projects take place throughout the district next year! 

Features INSIDE

Schu's News-Updates from Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher

One Shawnee Mission Because Kids Achieve

New Season, New Spirit: Middle School Cheer Kicks Off

Real World Learning for Every Age and Every Stage

SMSD Strong: Strong Schools, Strong Community

Action Team Members Move Strategic Plan Forward

From the SMSD Stage and Studio Building Real-World Opportunities for Students

Save The Date!

Building Real-World Opportunities for Students

 

Schu's News

Updates from Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher

One of the best parts of my week is when I dedicate time to go visit schools across our district. It always leaves me even more proud to serve as Superintendent of Shawnee Mission schools. No matter what school community I visit, I see all that we do in our district Because Kids.

Everywhere I go, I see students collaborating, creating, problem-solving and innovating. I see staff members ensuring students are learning in the best possible environments and being encouraged to achieve their personal best. This collective work gives all in our community a lot to celebrate. I encourage you to read about some of our most recent accomplishments as a district on Page 6.

Even with many points of pride, we are a district that is always looking toward what is next. You’ll see how we are planning for the future in our Strategic Plan update on Page 11. We are also working on Wildly Important Goals (WIGS) that hold us accountable toward the work of increasing achievement for all students and increasing graduation rates for all students. It is all Because Kids.

We appreciate the continued support and advocacy of our community. Whether it’s through support of the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, Real World Learning opportunities provided to students, or volunteer work—it all helps our students. We thank you for staying engaged, for reading Inside, and for helping us tell the true story about what is happening in our schools. We are ONE Shawnee Mission…Because Kids. 

 

Teacher Recognitions

Shawnee Mission educators are the best among the best. We are excited to recognize four educators who have received district-wide recognition for their exemplary work.

The Shawnee Mission School District’s Horizon nominees in the 2025-2026 school year are Jordan Dombrowski, a secondary Language Arts teacher at Shawnee Mission East High School, and Hope Smylie, a third-grade teacher at Rising Star Elementary School.

The Horizon Award recognizes first-year Kansas teachers who “perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.” Julia Orth, third-grade teacher at Nieman, and Audrey Gilroy, art teacher at Westridge Middle School, are the Shawnee Mission School District’s Kansas Teacher of the Year nominees. They will be recognized as part of the Kansas Teacher of the Year program.

 

 

 

 

National Merit Semifinalists

We are proud of the Shawnee Mission students who have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students are among the top nationwide, based on their results from the PSAT/NMSQT qualifying test. They are now in the running for scholarship offers. 

Shawnee Mission’s Semifinalists are: William Barcus and Adeline Clifford, SM East; Alyssa Walker, SM South; Brendan Hunn and Nathan Mestel, SM West.

 

Podcast Update

Shawnee Mission Mic'd Up, the Shawnee Mission School District
podcast, is in its third season and
is a great way to learn about the
students and staff that make us
ONE Shawnee Mission. Recent
episodes have featured students who
have earned national recognition,
Real World Learning, and Olivia
Bloomfield, who used her
superpowers to leave a lasting
legacy in SMSD and our extended
community. You can listen,
download, and subscribe anywhere
you get your podcasts or visit
smsd.org for more information.

 

Read Across Shawnee Mission 

We’ve proudly launched our fifth 
season of Read Across SMSD.
This program encourages reading
for all ages and supports our work
to cultivate a culture of belonging for
all students. In one recent episode,
several of our students shared some
tremendous examples of how they
have worked to “Build Resilience.”
Find out more about Read Across
SMSD at www.smsd.org.

 

 

        Achieve!

 

 

 

Because Kids... we dream big, work hard, and keep raising the bar. From national rankings to global achievements, here are a few reasons to celebrate our students and schools.

MVA MOMENTUM
87% of the Class of 2025 graduated with a Market Value Asset (MVA). MVAs are
resume-worthly achievements including real world work-experiences, industryrecognized
credentials, entrepreneurial experiences, and/or college credit. The goal:
100% of students will graduate with an MVA by 2030.

FORBES FAVORITE 
For the third year in a row, the Shawnee Mission School District is ranked among the
best employers in the state of Kansas by Forbes magazine.

BILINGUAL BRILLIANCE
180 students from the Class of 2025 earned the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy, showing proficiency
in two or more languages. This recognition highlighted student proficiency across 13 different languages.

AP ACHIEVEMENT
2025 was a record breaking year with 1,423 Shawnee Mission students completing 2,510 Advanced Placement. Exams-the most ever in Shawnee Mission history.

IB EXCELLENCE
173 students completed 384 International Baccalaureate Exams in 2025, and 25 graduates earned the full IB Diploma, proving hard work pays off on a global scale.

 

New Season, New Spirit: Middle School Cheer Kicks Off

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos of Westridge and Indian Hills cheerleaders fire up the crowd in SMSD’s first-ever middle school cheer season.

This fall, middle school football games across the Shawnee Mission School District received a boost of spirit with the debut of middle school cheer. Following the recent additions of football and soccer, cheerleading is the latest sport to expand athletic opportunities at the middle school level. Now, each of the district’s five middle schools has three cheer squads – one each for football, girls basketball, and boys basketball. 

A total of 138 students are participating in cheer this school year, a number that director of athletics and activities Kent Glaser finds exciting. “The addition of cheer has brought lots of smiling faces,” said Glaser. “We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from students, families, and our school communities.”

At Trailridge Middle School, teacher and coach Britt Qualls remembers exactly where she was when she learned cheer was being added to middle school athletics. “I ran to my assistant principal and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me! I’m so excited!’” she recalled. “This has been missing for a long time at the middle level, and having it here makes it so much more accessible to all kinds of kids from every kind of background, and that is really important.”

Tryouts at Trailridge drew more than 40 students, a mix of seventh and eighth graders. To make the process less intimidating, Qualls teamed up with the Shawnee Mission Northwest varsity cheer squad, who helped lead a four-day try-out clinic. The high schoolers taught cheers, chants, and jumps, and they’ve continued to return throughout the season to help. 

“They’ve been incredible mentors,” Qualls shared. “They have given our cheerleaders a glimpse of what high school cheer is like and have helped them build skills and confidence.

"For eighth grader Zoe Pattison, joining the Trailridge cheer team has been a dream come true. “I’d hoped for middle school cheer since sixth grade,” she explained. “When my mom got the email saying it was really happening, I was so excited!”

Cheer has given Pattison a chance to connect with her school community in a new way. “In cheer, we learn teamwork, that everyone counts,” she said. “You have to be bold, positive, and responsible
because you’re representing your school. I’ve made great new friends and I’ve become more confident.”

These days there’s an extra buzz in the hallways on game days,Qualls said. “When you see students in their uniforms walking through the school, it brings a whole new energy. It’s contagious.” 

As more students join athletics, the sense of school pride continues to grow. That’s exactly the goal, said Dr. David Stubblefield,deputy superintendent. “Educationbased athletics are an extension of the
classroom. Students learn teamwork, resilience, leadership, and character. Those are skills that last a lifetime.”

This first year has been full of learning, and Qualls is already planning for what’s next. “This was our foundation year,” she shared. “Next year, we’ll have returning cheerleaders ready to lead. We’re just getting started.”

View inspiring cross country story 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real World Learning for Every Age and Every Stage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Savannah Ryan started her freshman year of high school at Shawnee Mission South, she and her classmates were tasked with helping the City of Overland Park solve a community issue that was keeping public pools from opening.

During her English and Language Arts class, Savannah listened to representatives from the city explain their struggle to hire enough lifeguards to keep the pools in service. It was a problem she says she previously didn’t know about but was eager to help solve.

“I thought I came here to read Of Mice and Men,” joked Savannah. “But, I got to now really dive in deep with my community and know that not only is what I'm learning at school important, but it connects outside of me, just sitting at my desk.”

This was Savannah's first opportunity to participate in a Client Connected Project (CCP), an experience that gives students a chance to analyze and solve real problems in collaboration with professionals. Students receive feedback and guidance from the professionals throughout the process and present their findings with suggested solutions.

“I was just amazed by everything that I learned. I gained confidence in myself. I gained speaking skills.”

Savannah and her classmates researched the problem by interviewing peers and current lifeguards and then put together comprehensive recommendations. For the final piece of the project, students presented their findings to Overland Park Parks and Recreation Department officials, who were able to use the student research to successfully staff all pools.

By completing this CCP, Savannah earned her first Market Value Asset (MVA), a credential that, by 2030, all SMSD grads will have. There are several ways to earn an MVA. A CCP, like the one Savannah participated in, is an example of a “Work Experience.” Another work experience MVA might be an internship.

Students can also earn an MVA by obtaining Entrepreneurial Experiences, College Credit, or an Industry-Recognized Credential like an OSHA-10 certification, Certified Nursing Assistant,
Emergency Medical Technician, or ServSafe Food Handler.

“An MVA will help make [students] marketable once they and go into the real world,” explained Britt Sherer, a Real World Learning counselor at Shawnee Mission North. “They can put it on their resume, they can talk to employers about it. It makes them stand out when they're going for jobs.”

Savannah earned another MVA this fall when she participated in another CCP with the City of Overland Park.

In her Advanced Placement Language Arts class, Savannah and her classmates worked on content for signage and plaques at the new Bietigheim-Bissingen Park. The park was a multi-year project built to honor the relationship between the city of Overland Park and its sister city, Bietigheim-Bissingen in
Germany.

“We were focusing on explaining the history and the story of the place and the park,”explained Savannah. “And we were like, what should we talk about, sports? Or music? What is going to tell the story of both Overland Park and Bietigheim-Bissingen? What intertwined them together?”

Travis Gatewood, the Language Arts teacher at Shawnee Mission South who facilitated this project, says the highlight of this experience was hearing the students' feedback.

“Multiple students have spoken to the project as one of their favorite things they’ve accomplished in high school,” said Gatewood. “I think seeing their writing for a real world audience both when they had to pitch their presentations to city and district staff, and then to see it polished and put on the signs for the community at large to enjoy, I think that authenticity of it and the real world audience for their work is really the highlight and the takeaway from the project.”

Through the completion of these projects, Savannah has proven herself to be a resilient learner, an innovative and critical thinker, a skilled communicator, a civic and global contributor, and an effective collaborator. These core competencies, which are the framework of Shawnee Mission School District's Portrait of a Graduate, are essential in real world experiences. However, developing these skills begins long before students embark on their first MVA. Follow the photos around this article to see how students at every age are gaining real world experience and
building a foundation of tangible life skills.

Pre-K
In Nicole Hillmon’s Pre-Kindergarten classroom at Crestview Elementary, students aren’t just learning about recycling and the environment, they’re experiencing it In their dramatic play area, Hillmon created a recycling center where students get to sort real containers and materials, identify recycling symbols, and even pretend to drive a recycling truck. “Kids are like the biggest sponges for information you will ever meet,” explained Hillmon. “And they want to be like adults and do adult things. So, this was a way for them to have a meaningful experience they can carry on. I have some kids that can read, I have some kids that just know their colors, or I have some that need help. And so this also gives it that social interaction, like being able to help each other play in this area, take turns, but also have some ownership to it.” Through this play, these Pre-K students are practicing the foundational social and emotional skills—the very core of the Effective Collaborator and Innovative and Critical Thinker, while the content of the play exposes them to an age-appropriate lesson on being a Civic and Global contributor.

3rd Grade
At Rising Star Elementary School, third-grade students brought their social studies curriculum to life by working in groups to create their own fictional communities. Students decided whether their community would be urban, suburban, or rural. They worked collaboratively to determine the climate, landmarks, public spaces, and community elements. Then, they applied their map skills to create a large-scale map of their community and presented it to parents and other students. “I see a lot of growth with just working as a team,” said Emma Greenlee, one of the teachers who facilitated the project. “They get a lot more
independent and confident with conflict resolution skills and how to communicate as a team.”
Lynelle Rall is one of the students who participated. She said she was nervous before presenting her project but felt proud after she finished. “I would want to tell other students that [this project] is really hard but it’s really fun, too,” said Rall. By working together and overcoming the physical and emotional challenges associated with this project, students practiced their skills as Resilient Learners and Effective Collaborators, while also working on their abilities as Skilled Communicators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th Grade
Fifth-grade students at Rosehill Elementary designed their own water filtration systems as part of their Water Cycle and Earth’s Major Systems science unit. Students followed the “Ask, Explore, Model, Evaluate, Explain” framework, which encourages scientific thinking and inquiry. The initial question posed was, “How can I design a device that produces clean water?” Students then researched the question and created their own designs. In groups, they assembled their systems and put them to the test with dirty water samples. Afterwards, the teams assessed their designs for what worked, what didn’t and presented their findings. “Testing was definitely a highlight for students,” explained Hannah Hobert, a fifth-grade teacher. It brought both excitement and challenges. Some groups ran into issues such as their devices leaking or painfully slow filtration rates. These obstacles required teams to think critically, adapt their designs, and collaborate to improve their outcomes.” Bella Suddath and Adi Sapenaro
participated in the project and say they liked being able to try different things to get the water clear and the end result “helped us believe what [our research] was saying,” said Suddath.

7th Grade
At Indian Hills Middle School, 7th-grade students participated in mock interviews with business and community partners and district officials to practice soft skills, including having a
conversation with strangers, articulating their experiences and opinions, and conducting themselves professionally. “I thought in interviews they would just ask, “Oh, what do you do? Oh, that's nice.” explained Hattie Stenger, one of the student participants. “But, it's a lot harder than that, and takes a lot more work to actually get the job.” To prepare for their interviews, students compiled lists of their strengths and weaknesses and brainstormed questions they might be asked. Even after just this one exposure to a professional interview, Stenger said she feels more comfortable and confident going into another interview. “I feel like it was really, really good and in the future I will do a lot better and work harder,” said Stenger.

SMSD STRONG 

Strong Schoos, Strong Community

From new buildings to new lights, the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) has made every dollar of the 2021 Bond count. The $264 million bond, approved by oters in 2021, has benefited every building and feeder pattern across the district. rough careful planning and efficient use of resources, the district has deliveried on its promise to upgrade and rebuild facilities while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.  As of October 31, 2025, just $27.6 million remains from the bond authorization. These funds are dedicated to the construction of a new early childhood education center, underscoring the district’s commitment to its youngest learners.

Summer Construction

Many of last summer’s major projects were made possible through a combination of 2021 Bond and capital funding, as the district nears the completion of its bond commitments.

Roofing overlays were finished at McAuliffe Elementary, Overland Park Elementary, Westridge Middle School, Horizons High School, and SM South High School. Concrete and asphalt improvements refreshed parking lots at Lenexa Hills Elementary, McAuliffe Elementary, Horizons High School, and SM North High School.
 

Inside buildings, upgrades created refreshed and more welcoming spaces. New flooring was installed at Bluejacket-Flint Elementary, Sunflower Elementary, SM South High School, and SM West High School. New furniture also arrived at Bluejacket-Flint Elementary, Overland Park Elementary, Prairie Elementary, SM South and SM West, bringing modern comfort and functionality to classrooms.

This summer also marked the launch of Phase 1 of a district-wide LED lighting retrofit. SM East, SM North, SM Northwest, SM South, and SM West high schools all received new, energy-efficient lighting. The project will pay for itself in just six years through energy savings, while brightening classrooms and common spaces.

The district completed the final phase of HVAC upgrades, with new systems installed at Broken Arrow Elementary, Corinth Elementary, Merriam Park Elementary, Oak Park 
Carpenter Elementary, Ray Marsh Elementary, and SM North and SM Northwest high schools. Outdoors, new baseball infield turf was installed at SM North, SM Northwest, and SM South high schools, ensuring student-athletes can practice rain or shine.

New Buildings 

Thanks to the 2021 bond, five elementary schools have been rebuilt–Westwood View, John Diemer, 
Pawnee, Rushton, and Tomahawk. Each was designed with community input, to serve learners today and 
in the future.

Looking Ahead 

As Bond 2021 projects wind down, the district continues to plan thoughtfully for the future through ongoing facility evaluations, strategic planning and community conversations. The district Operations and Maintenance Team leads the district in keeping 5,400,000 square feet of facilities and 860 acres of grounds in top shape.

The Shawnee Mission community’s support ensures students learn in safe, modern spaces designed to 
inspire. Because Kids deserve strong schools—and strong schools build strong communities.

 

Action Team Members Move Strategic Plan Forward

Community Members Invited to Contribute

Since the 2024-2029 Shawnee Mission School District Strategic Plan was developed and approved by the Board of Education, community members have played a central role. Now in the second year of implementation, more than 25 Action Teams are at work on moving forward on this road map which guides district progress.

"We certainly need every single member," said Dr. Legh Anne Neal, chief of strategic initiatives, during an October update about the Strategic Paln presented to the Board of Education.  "They are doing valuable and critical work and we continue to highlight the need for community involvement."

 

 

 

Strategic Plan work ties directly to the Kansas Education Systems Accrediatation (KESA) process, School Improvement Plans, and the district's Portrait of a Graduate. All of this work combined directly impacts the classroom and the district's objective to have every student achieve their personal best.

Apply Now
The district seeks applications and nominations for individuals to serve on Action Teams which support work on six strategies:  Learning, Belonging, People, Technology, Mental Health, and Facilities. Residents who live in district boundaries, community partners, parents, students, and staff members are all invited to service on action teams.

Visit https://qrco.de/SMSDStrategicPlan to apply or nominate someone to serve on an Action Team.

Highlights from Action Team Members: Michelene Krueger, a parent of SMSD graduates and community partner from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, served on two Action Teams focused on mental health.

“If you care about your community and the importance of providing quality
education, getting involved can bring you great pride, ownership, and a sense of belonging,” she expressed.

Madison Prince, fifth grade teacher at John Diemer Elementary School,
served on Action Team 1.3.3, focused on increasing professional learning for
differentiated core instruction to meet individual student needs.

“It’s important because all kids deserve to be able to reach success and achieve and grow at high levels. Being able to meet kids exactly where they
were at and being able to know how to do this and what it looks like is something that continues to motivate me in my service on this Action Team and every day in the classroom,” she shared.

Hannah Phillips, junior at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, served on Action Team 2.3.4, focused on continuing ongoing professional development for staff and increasing student voice and student learning opportunities which foster a sense of belonging for all.

“I think having a student voice makes a bigger difference,” Phillips shared. “I think you can’t make that difference without that voice of everyone. You can’t have change without making change, so being able to be a part of that and have that say is very
rewarding.”

Strategic Plan Updates are provided regularly to the Board of Education, with the next scheduled to take place in February.

Updates can be found on https://qrco.de/SMSDStrategicPlan.

 

From the SMSD Stage and Studio

Audiences Enrich Student Learning in Visual, Performing Arts

This fall, SM North senior Macey Heikkila was working on a huge art project for one of her largest audiences yet. She was selected to display her artwork at Oak Park Mall. Once complete, it will be presented in a sitting area recently enhanced by interior design students at Shawnee Mission Northwest.

 

 

 

"A lot of people go to Oak Park Mall, so it's really cool to have a piece that will be there,” Heikkila shared. “Having a bigger audience can bring different perspectives and a lot more people are going to see this artwork than anybody who has ever seen my art before. It’s out of my comfort zone, pushing me to do more.”

Over the course of multiple weeks, Heikkila painted a swamp-themed artwork on a four-foot by four-foot canvas. Heikkila is gaining important Real World Learning experience through the opportunity to share art with a bigger audience, according to Stephanie Dalley, SM North art teacher. Heikkila first received feedback on her work when it was selected from a thumbnail to be the featured artwork.

“This is giving her some idea of what the client prefers instead of painting to only her preference,” Dalley shared. “Painting on this scale is also tough. She is learning the challenges that come from scaling up from a thumbnail to a pretty big surface.”

The student experience of creating art and sharing it with the extended community is a powerful learning opportunity and is one Megan Ellis, Lenexa Hills art teacher and visual arts coordinator, said she sees happen every day. “As students create, they exercise creative thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration,” she explained. “They are learning to view the world through different lenses and approach challenges from multiple perspectives.”

Then, when art is shared with an audience, it deepens the learning experience, she added.

“They learn to see through the eyes of others. This helps them understand the impact of their creative choices, and see the value of their own voice. It also helps them build valuable future-ready skills in communication, reflection, and confi­dence. Ultimately, sharing art publicly, in any range of public settings and spaces, gives students the sense of ‘what I think/ feel/have to say matters,’” Ellis shared.

That same transformative experience of performing for an audience is just as important for performing arts students, Dr. Bill Thomas, SM West director of bands and performing arts coordinator explained. Many performances from Pre-K through 12th grade are little to no cost for an audience member to attend.

“Without public performance, it would be like a sports team practicing but never competing,” Thomas expressed. “Practicing with your friends is fun, but the thrill of performing with an audience is the real payoff. Many of our groups are quite accomplished and will leave the audience astonished at their professionalism. Some of our younger groups are just plain cute and adorable! Whatever our patrons may be looking for, we can provide a wonderful opportunity for community engagement.”

There are numerous ways community members can support student artists throughout the year:

-Watch SMSD digital art shows on the SMSD YouTube channel, Search for Shawnee Mission School District on YouTube.

-Follow the district performing arts calendar- Available at www.smsd.org/calendar

-Sign Up for a Gold Card. This is available to those 60 years or older living within district boundaries. Gold card members receive free admission to all events at Shawnee Mission high schools (except play-off tournament games sponsored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, and fine arts activities which are not sponsored by individual schools.) Visit www.smsd.org/families/gold-cards for information.

Many individuals support the arts through volunteering, PTA support, and providing resources to student artists. The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation supports arts education in a variety of ways, in­cluding “It Starts with the Arts” and the annual faculty art show. 
 

Save The Date

Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment Opening Enrollment for Pre-K and Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year starts Dec. 1, 2025.
Children must be 4 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2026 to enroll in Pre-K and 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2026 to enroll in Kindergarten. Visit www.smsd.org for enrollment links.

R&D Forum Coming this Spring! Open Houses 4-7 p.m. on April 21, 22, 23, 2026 at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st Street.
Live Next Great Idea Pitch Competition - April 25, 2026 at the Center for Academic Achievement and
live-streamed. An awards ceremony will follow in the afternoon.

Summer Enrichment Summer Enrichment offers week­long classes designed to help students currently in Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) through seventh grade explore areas of interest during the summer. Enrollment opens Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Watch smsd.org for more information.

Jump Start to Learning An exciting opportunity for incoming Kindergartners designed to help them learn academic skills and transition to their new school environment takes place July 6-24, 2026. Parents of incoming Kindergarten students are encouraged to find out more from your school
 

Building Real-World Opportunities for Students

Powering Real World Learning in Shawnee Mission

The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation supports Real World Learning in the Shawnee Mission School District by connecting students to local businesses and industries. These partnerships help students build real-world experiences, professional skills, and the confidence to succeed after high school.

One of the ways the Foundation makes this possible is through its Corporate Council, a network of local business leaders who partner with the Foundation to support student learning. Corporate Council members meet throughout the year to share industry insights, promote career awareness, help create meaningful learning opportunities, and financially support the Foundation.

 

 

 

“Partnerships like these are vital,” said Laura Harsch, business to education program officer for the  Foundation. “When our business community gets involved, whether through mentorships, internships, or career fairs, students can see how what they’re learning applies beyond the classroom.”

Many Corporate Council members offer internships to high school students. These hands-on experiences are a type of Market Value Asset–credentials that demonstrate readiness for college or career and help students build strong resumes as they prepare for the future.

Real World Learning begins well before high school. For example, earlier this year, the Foundation supported a unique learning experience at Indian Hills Middle School. Seventh graders participated in mock interviews. With help from community professionals, students practiced sharing their strengths, interests, and goals with confidence and professionalism.

Nathan Daraban, senior project manager for JE Dunn Construction, volunteered as an interviewer and found the experience rewarding. “These kids are super impressive,” he shared. “It is important for them to get to talk to people in the industry and work on the soft skills, like how to introduce themselves, shake hands, and talk about what makes them unique. They’re going to be building their resumes too, but it’s the interpersonal skills that I think are translatable and important.”

Another way the Foundation connects students with real-world opportunities is through the Students Ready-to-Work Career Fair which is held each spring. The event features local companies and organizations with immediate job openings for graduating seniors, along with booths for students exploring long-term career paths.

The Foundation’s work shows that preparing students for the future takes everyone—schools, businesses, and the community—working together.

The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation thanks its Corporate Council Partners and Fellows:

Burns & McDonnell, Drake Development, DS Bus Lines, Hunt Midwest, JE Dunn Construction, Kiewit, Metro Air, Newkirk Novak, Trane.

For more information about joining the Corporate Council, please reach out to Laura Harsch (lauraharsch@smsd.org) or visit www.smef.org/corporatecouncil.

 

Features INSIDE

Schu's News: Updates from Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher

New Math Resource Fosters Student Engagement and Belonging

SMSD To Build A New Early Childhood Education Center

Portrait of a Graduate Reenvisioned

A Sneak Peek at the New Tomahawk Elementary

Working to Make SMSD Vape Free

Student Entrepreneurs Pitch Big Ideas at Startup Showcase

Because Kids Achieve!

Leadership Shawnee Mission 2025: Leadership Starts Here

 

Schu's News

Updates from Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher

I am incredibly excited to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 school year! It is always exciting seeing students back in the classroom working with our amazing educators. Each new year, I can’t help but be reminded of how we serve as a “bridge to unlimited possibilities yet to be discovered” for our students, just as it states in our mission. This year will be filled with struggles to overcome and achievements to celebrate and through it all I know we will keep going together with an eye on the future. 

Our community has done a lot of work illustrating and outlining that vision of the future. We’re excited to introduce an updated Portrait of a Graduate this year, one that keeps us focused on our north star for our students. I invite you to read more about it and how it will support our students on Pages 8 and 9.

Each year, Shawnee Mission School District selects a theme for the new year. I’m so proud that this year, the theme gets right to the heart of what we do: “Because Kids.” If we ever ask “What is our why?”
or “Why are we doing this?” – Because Kids is our answer. As One Shawnee Mission, we remain committed to making sure every single student who walks in our doors is able to achieve their personal best. We are One Shawnee Mission...Because Kids.

Support Public Education

In Shawnee Mission, we are proud to be a part of a long history of support for public schools in the state of Kansas. Did you know that 90 percent of students in Kansas attend public schools? Our schools educate every student who walks through the door, no matter their background or the challenges they face. We are committed to making sure each student has a personalized learning plan that prepares them for college and career with the interpersonal skills they need for life success.

And yet, we continue to face those who promote using public dollars for private schools. We continue to hear from those who think reducing funding for public schools is a solution. I expect these efforts to continue this year.

I wanted to tell you what you can expect from me and from Shawnee Mission School District. I will continue to advocate strongly for our students. Shawnee Mission will operate transparently and comply with public accountability requirements. The community-led Strategic Plan (adopted in 2024 by the Board of Education) provides clear direction for our work and we will continue to follow that plan. Shawnee Mission will continue to advocate for full state funding for special education services, which has not been fully funded since 2009.

I hope you’ll join me in telling our stories of success, holding big and small conversations about the importance of public education, and in continuing to support our students and staff. We know our schools make our community stronger and our students deserve the best education we can offer.

 

New ELT Member

As you read this column, we celebrate the addition of a new member to the Executive Leadership Team in Shawnee Mission. Sherry Dumolien now serves as the associate superintendent of special education and strategic initiatives and continues her commitment to advancing equitable and inclusive practices for all students. Dumolien has dedicated the past 23 years to public education in various special
education roles. In 2018, she became Shawnee Mission’s director of special education and then served as chief of special education. Her seat at the executive leadership table strengthens our district by ensuring the needs of all learners, including those eligible for special education services, are considered in every decision we make.

“I am driven by the responsibility to ensure that all students, regardless of their needs, have access to meaningful, individualized learning opportunities,” Dumolien shared. “I believe that creative environments where varied learners can thrive together not only benefits students with disabilities, but also enriches the educational experience for everyone.”

Join Us as we Read Across SMSD!

All year long we celebrate the importance of reading and belonging for each student in the Shawnee Mission School District. We’re pleased to continue Read Across SMSD – modeled after the national Read Across America program. Each month we will feature books for all ages and explore a monthly theme. In May, we were pleased to highlight Kaitlin Shulman, coordinator of belonging and engagement, and students across the district, who spoke about what it means to “Revel in Your Heritage.”

Thank you to NEA Shawnee Mission for their ongoing partnership and to the Shawnee Mission
Education Foundation for providing access to Read Across SMSD titles. Visit www.smsd.org for new Read Across SMSD videos and resources.

Watch for New Episodes of Our Podcast

Season three of Shawnee Mission Mic’d Up will begin this fall! I’m looking forward to joining Dr. Brittany Gonser, director of professional learning, in providing an in-depth look at those who make us One Shawnee Mi

ssion.

New episodes will be shared every other Thursday. Visit www.smsd.org for more information.

 

 

New Math Resource Fosters Student Engagement and Belonging

"I'm not good at math.” 

This common declaration is one that Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) is striving to eliminate by adopting a new, research and evidence-based math resource.

“We almost, in society, brag about it, like, ‘I'm not good at math’ or ‘I can't do math,’” explained Holly McCarty, SMSD’s coordinator for curriculum instruction, secondary math and science. “But we would never say, ‘Oh, I can't read.’”

To shift this mindset, SMSD’s new math resources are designed to create a more collaborative, problem- based learning environment. This program is called CPM at the high school level and iReady at the middle school level.

"It's a shift that allows our kids to be much more engaged in the math process," McCarty shared. She emphasized that today’s students need to develop critical thinking, reasoning, and problem- solving skills rather than relying on memorization. CPM supports this approach through collaborative learning, problem-based learning, and mixed-spaced practice.

Shawnee Mission Northwest math teacher Heather Ogle is an early adopter of the resource.

"I get excited about planning lessons and seeing how we can get kids involved," Ogle said. “They're coming in genuinely engaged and ready to learn. Whenever I see all the kids in my classroom wanting to learn math, It's great.”

She highlighted how CPM’s structure naturally builds students’ understanding and encourages them to approach problems differently.

With each lesson, students work in randomized groups of four, with each student assigned a specific role. The roles create a sense of belonging so that everyone in the group has a responsibility.

Students say they enjoy this approach because it’s interactive and collaborative.

"It's been nice getting to work with people, talking through things, and diving deeper into the resource,” said Lilly Christy, a student in Ogle’s Alge- bra 2 class.

Julian Diaz is also in Ogle’s class and says he likes how the group work mirrors real-world situations where teamwork is essential. "You're going to be working with people you don't normally work with," he said. "When we're forced into these environments, it helps us grow as people and in math."

McCarty says the district executed an extensive process for adoption, which included piloting programs,collecting teacher and student data, and consulting state evaluation rubrics. One important goal was to find a resource that helped students solve math problems and understand how they arrived at their answer, she explained.

Ogle was a part of the team that researched different programs and ultimately piloted CPM.

“It made me excited to come back and implement it more,” Ogle added.

For families looking to help their students with the new resource, McCarty says, "Continue to ask questions. That's what mathematicians do." She emphasized that, much like advances in technology, education must evolve when research shows better ways to support student success.

“Now that we know better, we can do better,” explains McCarty.

 

SMSD To Build A New Early Childhood Education Center

 

 

 

 

 

Currently Pre-Kindergarten is located in 21 of 34 elementary schools. A new early childhood center has been announced to provide more opportunities for young students.

A new early childhood education center will be built in e Shawnee Mission School District. It will 
serve as a mprehensive hub for Pre-Kindergarten services.

The new facility will feature intentionally designed early learning spaces, a full continuum of 
classroom options offering flexible placements and transitions for students, a centralized hub for 
services, increased opportunities for diverse peer interaction, and spaces for screening, training, 
and care.

This center is being built, in part, as a result of a recommendation from Strategic Plan Action 
Team 1.3.1, who determined steps to “Increase Pre-K sites, based on facility capacity and district 
possibilities, to provide equitable access to early interventions and foundational learning through 
a braided funding enrollment process.”

“The team worked hard and moved forward recommendations that are already yielding results,” 
explained Dr. Leigh Anne Neal, chief of strategic initiatives. "Their vision for an intentionally 
designed early childhood center, coupled with the new pre-kindergarten classrooms that will be 
added at Tomahawk and Pawnee elementaries this year, is laying a strong foundation for lifelong 
learning, benefiting our students, families, and teachers.”

Jessica Collins, parent, served on Action Team 1.3.1 in support of early childhood education in 
Shawnee Mission. Her son attends school at the Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Center, and she says 
the services available are life-changing and she was thrilled for the new building announcement.

“I am looking forward to seeing the program grow!” Collins shared. “A bespoke building will make 
things so much better for all of the staff which will make the experience better for the students. 
This also sends the message that the district recognizes the importance of early childhood. These 
years are critical to development and to see the district investing in this way is so exciting!”

Shawnee Mission begins providing early childhood opportunities with service to children ages birth 
to three through Parents as Teachers. Shawnee Mission also offers Pre-Kindergarten in fee and 
no-fee options at 21 of 34 of Shawnee Mission's elementary schools. In addition, the district serves children ages three to five who are eligible for special education services. These services include a peer
model program, which provides opportunities for all students to interact and learn in a common 
environment.

Special education services are a vital component of the Shawnee Mission School District’s 
comprehensive educational system, said Sherry Dumolien, associate superintendent of special 
education and strategic initiatives. These services provide specially designed instruction that 
supports students in making ongoing progress throughout their school experience.

“We’re excited about the opportunities this space will create—particularly for our youngest 
learners—to build connections, benefit from early interventions, and engage with a dedicated team 
committed to supporting their success from the very beginning,” Dumolien added. “This environment 
reflects our commitment to inclusive practices, where all students are valued members of the school 
community and learn alongside one another in supportive, collaborative settings.”

The designated location will be the site of the former Katherine Carpenter Elementary School, which 
was demolished this spring. School construction will be funded with $26.9 million available through 
the 2021 Bond authorization. In May, the Board of Education hired the architectural-engineering 
firm of Hollis and Miller Architects for architectural-engineering services for the construction
of the new early childhood center. The Board also approved Newkirk Novak Construction Partners to 
serve as the construction manager.

Enroll Now In Pre-K and Kindergarten in the SMSD!

Enrollment is currently open for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten in the Shawnee Mission School District.  Visit SMSD.org/enroll for more information.
 

Portait of a Graduate Reenvisioned

With two years of high school remaining, incoming Shawnee Mission East High School junior Braxton Jeffrey is looking toward the future. He’s holding conversations with teachers and trusted adults.
He’s considering what courses, activities, and experiences will help him get the skills he needs. Along the way, he is focused on Shawnee Mission’s reimagined Portrait of a Graduate.

Portrait of a Graduate is Shawnee Mission’s vision for what it means to be truly ready for the next step after high school. It outlines the skills, habits, and mindsets that prepare students for college, career, and life success, allowing them to navigate in an unpredictable world.

Jeffrey recalls first seeing the Portrait of a Graduate his freshman year.

“It boosts my confidence and I’m not stressed about graduating because I know I’ve prepared and I’m confident in my ability,” Jeffrey shared. “It’s important to have that outlined so you can go into graduation feeling more confident and knowing you achieved a lot.”

As a student, Jeffrey has also joined an extensive, communitydriven redesign process for the Portrait of a Graduate that engaged students, families, educators, business leaders, and community partners in thoughtful conversation about the future. First developed in 2019, the Portrait has been revisited and
re-envisioned as part of the district’s Strategic Plan. The process ensured the Portrait remains relevant, with current research and input from our community.

Built by the Community

Every individual who contributed to the redesign was asked a powerful question: What are the most important skills and qualities our students need to succeed in life?

“Because the community helped build it, the Portrait has broad support and a shared sense of ownership. It reflects who we are as a community – and who we want our young people to become,” noted Dr. Leigh Anne Neal, chief of strategic initiatives. “It brings coherence to our work as educators,
clarity to our goals as a system, and confidence to our families that we are preparing their children for a
meaningful future. Most importantly, it highlights that education extends beyond academic achievements to encompass the personal growth and development of students.”

Shawnee Mission’s focus on Real World Learning is also outlined in the Portrait, ensuring graduates are prepared for higher education and the workforce. By 2030, all SMSD students will graduate with a minimum of one Market Value Asset—which may include internships, industry-recognized credentials, entrepreneurial experiences, client-connected projects, and/or college credit. These assets equip students with in-demand skills and experiences valued by employers. 

In addition to contributing to the Portrait redesign, Danielle Pringle, business development manager at Performance Services and Portrait of a Graduate contributor, says she has intentionally worked with middle and high school students discussing career paths for trades and in construction.

“We’re in a mad rush to get experienced and certified construction workers in the trades as we are in a nationwide deficit,” Pringle explained. “It is especially important to find employees who take ownership, accountability, and pride in their work. It’s important so that we as business leaders can find eager students to learn trades and get them prepared and ready for the real world early in high school.”

While serving on Strategic Plan Action Team 1.2.1, Kate Herrenbruck, fourth grade teacher at Trailwood Elementary School, contributed input related to interpersonal skills. It was tremendously helpful to have a variety of perspectives redesigning the Portrait, she noted.

“I think this is something we can all get behind – setting goals for our students that will help them become the best versions of themselves,” Herrenbruck shared. “We not only care about grades; we also care that they are going into the world as capable, confident humans.”

When providing his input on the updated Portrait, SM East student Jeffrey said it was important to him that financial literacy be included. He noted that it is a component of what it means to be a Civic and Global Contributor. He also consulted classmates to understand what they thought would be
important to include. 

“It honestly means so much to me,” Jeffrey shared. “It was amazing, feeling your voice was being heard and representing those who don’t always have that opportunity, I thought that was so cool.”

Supporting the Student Experience

The Portrait of a Graduate will be reflected in classroom instruction, student goal-setting, counseling, professional learning, and district decision-making. 

“Teachers will use it to design learning that builds these competencies,” Neal explained. “Students will use it to reflect on their growth and set personal goals. Leaders will use it to shape strategic priorities. Over time, it becomes the common language and compass for our entire system.”

Ensuring each student fulfills the Portrait of a Graduate must be sustained work throughout a child’s formal education, because the skills and attributes must be cultivated and practiced, according to Blake Revelle, Shawnee Mission West Principal and Portrait of a Graduate contributor.

“Attaining these skills takes more than just easily flipping on a metaphorical switch in high school,” Revelle explained. 

The portrait helps elementary and middle school students explore and develop all of the skills outlined, and high school students will experience the implementation of these skills in real world settings, he added.

“A high school graduate who possesses the skills and aptitudes outlined in our updated Portrait of a Graduate will not only position themselves to achieve their immediate goals and aspirations, but they will also possess the requisite skills to adapt and continue their lifelong learning to expand and grow into any future steps they might want to pursue,” Revelle noted.

As she advises students as a Real World Learning counselor at Shawnee Mission North High School, Britt Sherer says her goal for each student will be for them to be opportunityready and that they have the confidence to follow the path that is a best fit for them. 

“They will walk out of high school with skills that they know and understand and that can be used whether they take a path towards higher education, a path towards career or a path towards the military,” she added.

At the elementary level, students, educators, and families are often focused on steps to get to the next grade level. The Portrait will help everyone, starting in Pre-Kindergarten, envision the future and students’ journey to get there, noted Amy Sachse, Merriam Park Elementary instructional coach and Portrait of a Graduate contributor.

“My hope for our future students is that they feel buoyed and empowered by the robust support system

here that Shawnee Mission provides,” Sachse explained. “With personalized learning plans and Real World Learning opportunities, we are giving students the critical skills needed to leave Shawnee Mission with the confidence to take on the world.”

 

 

A Sneak Peek at the New Tomahawk Elementary

This fall, students will walk through the doors of a brand-new Tomahawk Elementary School. The fifth and final elementary school rebuilt through the 2021 bond, Tomahawk has been transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art facility.

Inside, classrooms are flexible and open, giving teachers the freedom to adjust the space for large groups, small teams, or individual work.
 

At the center of the school is a welcoming common area, designed for collaboration and connection. Just outside the doors, outdoor learning spaces encourage hands-on exploration and active learning. The images shared are from summer 2025.

 

 

Tomahawk features modern architecture with redesigned playground areas that bring active learning spaces to the forefront.

 

 

 

Thank You, Community

The new Tomahawk Elementary wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of the Shawnee Mission community. 

The 2021 bond allowed for improvements at every school in the Shawnee Mission School District. Whether through major renovations, new construction or essential upgrades, each school–and each school community–has benefited from the community’s generosity and support.

The gymnasium provides a spacious area for physical activity, community events, and school gatherings.  

Go Tigers!

 

 

Left: Thoughtful decor creates welcoming spaces.

Right: Flexible classrooms support all learning styles.

 

Shawnee Mission is a community that values public schools – one that believes in the power of education, supports educators, and invests in student  achievement. Tomahawk Elementary is more than a new building, it’s a symbol of what we can achieve when we work together…Because Kids.

 

Working to Make SMSD Vape Free

When her son was a junior in high school, Shawnee Mission parent Nicole Churchill found herself
supporting him through an addiction to vaping. The challenge became more difficult as he faced an 
increasing amount of punishment for being caught using vape products. The compounding issues 
created an “incredibly daunting experience,” she shared.

“Not being aware of available resources for students and parents can lead to feelings of inadequacy 
and self-doubt,” she said. “It can increase a sense of isolation and emotional distress.”

A turning point for Churchill was connecting with Teresa Denk Smajda, who serves as the district’s 
student wellness specialist. Denk Smajda began work in Shawnee Mission following the receipt of a 
settlement from a class action lawsuit the district entered against JUUL Labs over the impact 
vaping has on school-aged students.

“She has been an incredible support not only by making us aware of available resources, but 
reassuring me it is not my fault,” Churchill said.

Churchill and her family members are far from alone in their experience. According to the 2022 
National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2.55 million U.S. middle and high school students report current vape use. Denk Smajda visits schools across Shawnee Mission, providing education to students about vaping, the marketing tactics that target young people, the addictive nature of nicotine, and resources for quitting. She also supports students who face infractions as they work to make positive changes.

“I’ve been working to present to students in their school settings and engage with students in a supportive way, using evidence-based techniques to help students reconsider the addictive behaviors,” she said. “The goal is to lay blame with the tobacco industry, not the individual.”

Sometimes she speaks to students in health, physical education, and science classes, and provides 
informational tables at lunchtime. She sees signs of progress when she speaks to students who say, 
“I want to quit” or ask questions about negative consequences of vape. Sometimes, students will not 
speak to her directly, but she’ll notice all of her “My Life, My Quit” informational cards on the 
topic have been taken.

“When I started I said to myself if I could even get one person to quit, that was a win!” she said.

Another win arrived when Denk Smajda was honored with the Kansas Tobacco Control Champion of 2025 award, an honor given to individuals who advocate for tobacco control policies and work to engage youth in tobacco control and prevention activities. She also was invited to speak this summer on how to talk to youth about vaping at the 2025 National Conference on Tobacco or Health in Chicago.

Her work will continue this year, speaking and providing information to students and parents as well as supporting student- led efforts to reduce tobacco use. Resources for students and families to address the issue are also available here: 
https://qrco.de/healthresources.
Churchill said she hopes more in our community will learn about Denk Smajda and the resources that are available to help. The resources Denk Smajda provided Churchill led to some of the first signs of hope. “I saw the self-blame lift, replaced by a newfound sense of self-worth and hope,” Churchill shared.
If you are interested in having Denk Smajda speak to a student or parent group, please contact her at TeresaDenksmajda@ smsd.org. 

 

Student Entrepreneurs Pitch Big Ideas at Startup Show Case

The energy was electric at The lture House in Oak Park Mall on Wednesday, April 30, as Mission students stepped into the spotlight for the first-ever Startup Showcase.

Hosted by the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Student Chamber, Shawnee Mission Education 
Foundation, and Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together student innovators, 
business leaders, and student and community supporters for a fast-paced, Shark-Tank-style pitch 
competition. 

Real World Learning in Action

From handcrafted jewelry to a nonprofit all-girls basketball camp in Kenya, the ideas spanned 
industries and interests. The format challenged student participants to distill complex businesses 
into compelling three-minute “elevator pitches,” explaining their product or service while under 
the pressure of a ticking clock and live audience.

Judges asked about pricing strategies, business plans, and scalability. The panel provided 
personalized feedback on marketing, operating, and growth.

“I was impressed by the students' understanding of business practices and the markets they were 
trying to reach,” said Jim Brown, a retired vice president for HCA who served as judge. “They had great detail about their products, customers and what they felt they needed to do to make sales. They were poised and responsive.” 

Building a Future of Possibility

The Startup Showcase was more than a competition, it was a Real World Learning experience that 
connected classroom ideas with practical business experience. Students gained valuable skills in 
public speaking, time management, and responding to feedback under pressure.

“These real world experiences empower students to choose college majors and careers based on 
insights gained from pursuing business ideas that genuinely inspire them,” shared Dr. Tiffany 
Dixon, SMSD Chamber sponsor and business teacher. “We're excited for students to take even more 
ownership of the SMSD Chamber as we continue to grow!”

Looking Ahead

As the showcase concluded, the focus in the room shifted from competition to collaboration. Several 
judges expressed interest in mentoring student entrepreneurs.

The top five finalists also received complimentary memberships to the
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, expanding their networks and strengthening their connections to 
the local business community.

“The enthusiasm from students, families, and the community is exciting to see,” shared Dixon.

The excitement is spreading beyond the district. The SMSD Student Chamber’s success is gaining 
statewide attention as a unique approach to Real World Learning. With interest growing across 
Kansas and next year’s plans already taking shape, the Student Showcase has proven to be a 
launchpad for student entrepreneurship. 

And the winners are… 

First Place: Joy Partin, Shawnee Mission West senior, owner of Joy’s Jewelry, featuring handmade 
earrings.
Second Place: Ada Knechtel, Shawnee Mission West incoming junior and founder of AK Creates, a 
custom stationery business.
Third Place: Halley Vincent, Shawnee Mission North incoming junior, owner of Seven Stories, a 
bookstore that focuses on curating books and building a community of readers.

“I’m beyond excited that this is a thing that has been created for students like me and upcoming 
entrepreneurs," shared Vincent after
the awards ceremony.
 

 

 

ACHIEVE!

 

 

NATIONALLY RANKED

SM East, SM North, SM Northwest, SM South and SM West High Schools are ALL ranked on the U.S. News and World Report list of Best High Schools in the United States. Shawnee Mission East was ranked #3 in the state of Kansas.

MARKET VALUE ASSETS

SMSD aims for every student to complete a resume-worthy achievement, known as a Market Value Asset (MVA), by 2030. This could mean earning nine hours of college credit, earning an industry-recognized credential, completing a client-connected project, or completing an internship. As of June 2025, 76% of the class of 2025 have completed one or more MVAs! 

RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

Comanche Elementary and Shawanoe Elementary were named Challenge Award winners by the Kansas State Department of Education. The Challenge Awards highlight schools for outstanding achievements based on Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) results in math and reading, especially for students from ethnic minority groups and those who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. 

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The Shawnee Mission NJROTC team finished first in armed regulation, second in color guard, thrid in armed exhibition, and fifth overall in a virtual National Championship.

CULINARY PROGRAM SUCCESS

A student barbecue team, "Caught Smokin," earned the grand Champion title at The Students Lit About Barbecue (SLAB): Scheels National High School Barbecue Association Championship.

TALENTED PERFORMERS

Eight SMSD students werenamed finalists in the Shooting Stars Program by the Arts Council of Johnson County.  Further recognition was awarded to Shawnee Mission South's Nia Gosier, 1st in Theatre, Iason Wilson-Brown, SM South, 2nd place in Winds and Percussion, and Aubree Smith, SM West, 2nd place in Voice Classical.

ATHLETES IN ACTION

During the 2024-25 school year, more than 7,800 Shawnee Mission students participated in athletics.  A major highlight was the successful launch of middle school football, with 265 student-athletes joining in its first season.  Across the district, athletes also brought home 12 state championships, both team and individual, showcasing excellence in competition.

 

Leadership Shawnee Mission 2025: 
Leadership Starts Here

Summer marks the return of one the Shawnee Mission School strict’s most prestigious experiences:
Leadership Shawnee Mission.
Hosted by the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, this invitation- only program brings together a 
select group of rising juniors and seniors from across the district for an intensive two-week 
leadership development experience. Students are nominated by a faculty member for their potential, 
promise, and resilience.
This summer’s cohort, representing all five high school attendance areas, was a diverse group 
united to learn, grow, and lead. Through a partnership with Better Humans LLC, students engaged in 
learning designed to build communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. They 
explored personal leadership styles, learned how to work with different personalities, and 
practiced navigating complex group dynamics with empathy and confidence.
“One of the biggest focuses in this program has been learning about ourselves as a leader and those 
different leadership styles and how they can mesh together,” shared Charlotte Millard, SM Northwest 
incoming senior. “It’s really helped me grow.”
Students also took their learning Leadership Shawnee Mission 2025: Leadership Starts Here
outside the classroom, spending a day at Johnson County Park and Recreation’s TimberRidge challenge 
course. Through team-building and high-climbing activities the students worked to build trust, 
overcome fear, and communicate effectively — lessons that will serve them well in every area of life.
“What we do here is pretty wonderful,” said Sergio Nunez, Horizons senior. “I didn’t know what to 
expect, but it’s been one of the best things I’ve done.”
A key component of Leadership Shawnee Mission is its career mentorship program. Each student is 
matched with a professional in a field aligned with their interests, creating opportunities for 
inspiration and real-world guidance.
“Our mentors can help us, not only now, but also in the future,” said SM Northwest senior Ben 
Hissong.
Dr. Paige Geiger, professor at the KU School of Medicine and mentor in the program, emphasized the 
power of early exposure. “I know when I was that age, I had never met a scientist, I’d never met 
someone who does biomedical research, like I do now…and so knowing that exists, and getting to pick 
that person’s brain and find out why they got into that, is an incredible opportunity.”
Leadership Shawnee Mission isn’t just about personal growth. It’s about creating a ripple effect, equipping students to take what they’ve learned back to their schools and communities, and fostering a new generation of leaders.
“These students are not only developing confidence and critical leadership skills, they’re also 
building a network,” said Kim Hinkle, executive director of the Shawnee Mission Education 
Foundation.
“They now have a circle of peer leaders and mentors they can turn to for support. I’m so proud of 
this class of leaders and am excited to see how they shape the future.”
For many participants, Leadership Shawnee Mission was their first formal leadership opportunity. 
Some might be the first in their family planning to attend college. All have shown determination, academic promise, and the ability to rise above challenges.
In the end, Leadership Shawnee Mission is more than a summer program, it’s an experience that 
leaves students changed. They return to school not only as leaders, but as friends and collaborators, inspired to make a lasting positive impact.