On July 6, 2019, Earl Lawson Elementary School (Leavenworth) kindergarten teacher Kelsey Stimatze was honored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and Sporting KC as the July Blue KC Sporting Samaritan.
“Kelsey Stimatze is making education both effective and fun for her students,” said Christina Lively, Department Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Blue KC. “Her ability to help students learn the way that best benefits them is helping them get their education started off on a positive note. It’s clear that she truly cares about every kid who comes to her classroom, and we are pleased to honor her as a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan.”
When Stimatze began her teaching career after graduating from Kansas State University in 2013, she conducted class the way she’d learned and did things “by the books.” But in her five years at Earl Lawson and gaining a greater understanding of early childhood development, Stimatze has shifted her approach and begun helping her kids learn in a greater way through what they naturally do best: play.
Read more about Kelsey’s story.