{"id":13045,"date":"2026-03-23T10:45:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=13045"},"modified":"2026-03-24T09:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:18:19","slug":"2026-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-patti-erneste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2026-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-patti-erneste\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Honoree Patti Erneste"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Basehor-Linwood High School Math Teacher featured the month of March<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor me, teaching has always been about service to students and the community,\u201d said Basehor-Linwood High School math teacher, Patti Erneste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This mindset and approach have helped shape a career filled with memories, opportunities, and milestones for Erneste, who has taught high school math for more than 30 years. This accomplishment, along with her time in the U.S. Army Reserve Band, has helped shape her foundation by teaching her the importance of showing up, being dependable, and doing her part for the team. Which in turn, she has passed along to her students in education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery day is a new day,\u201d said Erneste. \u201cStudents grow and learn, then become productive citizens of their community. In my classroom, I\u2019m not just teaching math, but I\u2019m also teaching young people. I love watching them grow throughout their years at school and seeing who they become beyond the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the past three decades, Erneste has seen student growth in a wide variety of ways. For her, it\u2019s always noticeable when students in her class realize they are capable of more than they once believed. From an outsider looking in, that may seem like a minor blip in the radar, but Erneste believes those small victories are what motivate her to continue teaching year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI tell my students, \u2018Know what you know, know what you don\u2019t know, and ask the right questions so you can truly understand\u2019,\u201d said Erneste. \u201cLearning builds on itself. The more you know, the more you know! I remind them that tenacity and grit are their friends. Doubt and frustration simply mean there is work to do and that growth is happening. You are capable and can do the hard things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since she earned her first degree from the University of Central Missouri, Erneste has always built a foundation of respect and clear expectations. While she sets a high bar for behavior, it\u2019s a vital piece to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for everyone in the classroom. She wants her students to feel welcome, at ease, and comfortable without the fear of being judged by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHigh standards lead to higher achievement,\u201d said Erneste. \u201cI talk a lot about the concept of \u2018one more\u2019, meaning one more step, one more try, or one more level of difficulty. If you can do this, then you can do the next thing, and then the next! It helps students see connections, build confidence, and continue growing. In the end, it\u2019s a life skill to set the bar high and continue reaching for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a current Integrated Math II teacher, Erneste is a motivator and inspiration to those in her classroom, as well as those who have graduated throughout her tenure. She still looks forward to coming to work each morning and values the kindness and generosity of the staff, students, administration, and families within the Basehor-Linwood community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Patti Erneste and Matt Besler are seen pregame at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas on March 21st, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI try to lead with a service mindset in everything I do, whether teaching, coaching, or working with adaptive athletes within my community,\u201d said Erneste. \u201cMy goal is straightforward: I want students to feel seen, supported, and capable. Teaching is not just about delivering math content. Students learn from the adults around them at all times, so I make it a priority to model good citizenship, kindness, accountability, and reliability alongside the coursework.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThroughout her career, Patti has consistently gone above and beyond to support her students,\u201d said Erneste\u2019s nominator, Laura Haas. \u201cShe integrates inclusive practices into her teaching, ensuring every student\u2014regardless of their abilities\u2014has an equal opportunity to succeed. Her unwavering commitment to helping students “win the day” and achieve success in life creates a positive and empowering environment for all those she teaches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPatti is the true definition of a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan because of her compassion, dedication, and warm personality,\u201d said Jenny Housley, Blue KC President. \u201cHer ability to connect and influence high school students for the past 30 years is inspiring, uplifting, and sensational. It\u2019s our honor to highlight her accomplishments throughout her well-respected career, and we look forward to continuing to support Patti in her future endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI encourage students to think ahead and image their future story, then set goals and work steadily toward them,\u201d said Erneste. \u201cIn my experience, meaningful growth comes from consistent effort and a willingness to keep trying. If you are willing to put in the work, more is possible than you think.\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\/NominateSportingSamaritan<\/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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