SMSD Educator Honored at KC Current Game

A Shawnee Mission educator received a surprise recognition during a recent KC Current game.

Zulma Pérez-Estrella, biotechnology and medical science instructor for the Shawnee Mission School District, was celebrated and presented funds at Children’s Mercy Park.

The Kansas City Current and the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation have been fulfilling wish lists for educators throughout Kansas City who have been nominated by the Latinx Education Collaborative. The collaborative works to retain and increase the representation of Latinx education professionals in K-12 education.

The honor was a surprise to Pérez-Estrella who had been told she received an anonymous nomination and would be interviewed about her passion for teaching. During the game, someone asked her to follow them and she thought it was for an interview. In reality, it was so she could be recognized on the field.

“It was a pretty awesome surprise,” Pérez-Estrella expressed.  “I was humbled and honored to be recognized for doing what I love!”

Prior to the recognition, the Latinx Education Collaborative asked educators to develop a wishlist for their classroom. During the recognition, Pérez-Estrella was presented with classroom supplies and $1,500.

Each month Pérez-Estrella provides food to students in her classes as incentives and for student success celebrations. She says these funds will help support providing food for her students.