Happy Educator Appreciation Week 2026!

From May 4-8, we invite our community to join us in celebrating Educator Appreciation Week. This national week of recognition is an opportunity to thank all of the amazing people who serve the One Shawnee Mission team.

Every day, they are dedicated to helping Shawnee Mission students achieve their personal best. As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close, we hope all in our community join us in thanking all who serve Shawnee Mission students. Here are some ways to join the celebration:

Share Your Thanks by sending a Digital Card

Many schools and members of the community have their own celebrations planned. Another way to join the celebration and show gratitude is by sending a digital card.

Click here to send a card.

Fill out the form, including the SMSD team member’s email address, and include a personal note. It will be sent directly to their email inbox. 

Thank You From Our Students

Shawnee Mission recognizes that every staff member is an educator. Whether their work is primarily in the classroom, the front office, the cafeteria, or across our many facilities, every member of our team contributes to the wellbeing and education of our students. School is meant to be a safe place for kids to learn and grow and we want all of our staff to know how much their daily contributions mean to students. Click here to see a video from our students.

Discount Offerings

The Shawnee Mission School District is grateful to local businesses that offer discounts throughout this week and throughout the year to Johnson County educators. The Leawood Chamber, Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Johnson County Chamber, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, and Shawnee Chamber of Commerce partnered with local school districts to connect with discount offerings in our community. If you know a local business that offers a discount to educational employees or would like to offer a discount, please contact adcommun@smsd.org.

Celebratory Events

On April 6, Shawnee Mission honored educators from every school in the district with a Kansas Teacher of the Year ceremony. Each school had the chance to nominate one teacher as their outstanding teacher of the year and to be considered to advance in the statewide KTOY program. This year, Audrey Gilroy, an art teacher at Westridge Middle School, was named a Region 3 Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist. Julia Orth, a third grade teacher at Nieman Elementary was named a semifinalist.

On May 7, during Educator Appreciation Week, Shawnee Mission will honor retirees and service pin recipients. We thank everyone for their dedication to Shawnee Mission whether this was their first year or whether they have served more than 40.

As events are held in schools and across the community, we ask that you share your appreciation for all who serve on the Shawnee Mission Team on social media by including the hashtag #OneShawneeMission. 

Nominate an All Star Throughout the year, Shawnee Mission Board of Education members honor employees who serve our community with excellence, with the Shawnee Mission All Star Award. You can recognize the excellent work of a team member by nominating them for a Shawnee Mission All Star award. Click here to nominate an SMSD employee.

We are so grateful to everyone who serves the students in our schools. Thank you for helping each Shawnee Mission staff member know just how important they are to our community.