{"id":10389,"date":"2025-05-25T11:50:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T16:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=10389"},"modified":"2025-11-26T16:22:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T21:22:51","slug":"2025-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-teresa-mcentire-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2025-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-teresa-mcentire-2\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Honoree Chris Banks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plaza Middle School Special Education Teacher featured in the month of May<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019ve been in education for more than two decades, you learn how to adapt to various situations and can determine what works well in the classroom. For Chris Banks, a special education teacher at Plaza Middle School in Kansas City, Missouri, he\u2019s been able to successfully master his skills, teaching methods and classroom structure to benefit countless students who have relied on him for assistance throughout their educational journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m an experienced and dedicated educator with 20 years of serving students with specialized needs,\u201d said Banks. \u201cMy students are curious, motivated and bring so much energy to the classroom. It\u2019s what makes coming to work every day feel rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Kansas City native for his entire life, Banks obtained his bachelor\u2019s degree from Northwest Missouri State University and his master\u2019s degree from the University of Kansas. He\u2019s a family man who is incredibly proud of his supportive wife and four children. The traits and characteristics he\u2019s able to develop at home transition into the classroom where he passes that knowledge and understanding along to his students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI advise my students that everyone learns differently,\u201d said Banks. \u201cIt\u2019s not just okay that they learn differently, it\u2019s valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s difficult for Banks to identify a single moment that stands out throughout his career, he can reflect on the difference he\u2019s made in his student\u2019s lives and how he\u2019s been a key influencer and role model in helping them grow and learn. His professionalism is continually on display, and he\u2019s created memories that will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProfessionally, my most proud accomplishments are the joyful moments of recognition created on a daily basis from all of the successes of my students, both big and small.\u201d said Banks. \u201cI believe my teaching style focuses on building positive relationships, promoting resiliency and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up, Banks was once told \u201cif you don\u2019t know the answer, find someone who does\u201d. This simple, yet powerful, advice has stayed with him throughout his two-decade stint as an educator in the Park Hill School District. His ability to strengthen relationships and provide solutions for his students has made him a staple within the local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that instilling standards with my students encourages them to stretch themselves beyond their own, or others, expectations,\u201d said Banks.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cChris has established a level of inclusion where all his students feel accepted, valued and part of the Plaza Middle School community,\u201d said Banks\u2019 nominator and 2024 Blue KC Sporting Samaritan, Kari Rowe. \u201cHe sets achievable expectations for his students’ learning behaviors and helps their families to see their future opportunities in society. He has created learning opportunities to help them become more self-sufficient, and field trips that encourage independence. However, more importantly, he\u2019s created a classroom where the kids love being there. His calm-natured teaching style, compassionate heart, collaboration with his co-workers and knowledge has given more to the district, the families, his teaching assistants and the students\u2019 lives than any other professional could have brought to the program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChris\u2019 dedication to special education shines brightly on his local community, and we\u2019re proud to recognize him on his outstanding work over the past two decades,\u201d said Jenny Housley, Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. \u201cHis patience, perseverance and determination to better the lives of his students make him an exceptional Blue KC Sporting Samaritan, and it\u2019s an honor to highlight his career accomplishments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fans are encouraged to nominate teachers and students who are making a positive impact on their schools and communities by using the form online at https:\/\/www.BlueKC.com\/NominateSportingSamaritans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>

Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Program<\/p> <\/div>\n

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