{"id":1378,"date":"2023-06-19T11:13:49","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T16:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=1378"},"modified":"2026-01-02T10:25:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:25:33","slug":"2023-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-robin-kingeter-month-of-june","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2023-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-robin-kingeter-month-of-june\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Honoree Robin Kingeter \u2013 month of June"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blue KC and the Sporting KC <\/a><\/strong>have announced Harmony Middle School<\/em> teacher Robin Kingeter as the Blue KC Sporting Samaritan honoree for June. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When envisioning the ideal teacher for your child, you may be looking for traits and characteristics such as compassion, optimism, determination, dedication, trustworthiness, love, and respect. Well, you\u2019ve just described Harmony Middle School visual arts teacher Robin Kingeter. A staple at the Overland Park, Kansas school for the past 16 years, Kingeter exemplifies all the traits you\u2019d like to see in your child\u2019s educator, and then some.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am fortunate enough to work with amazingly talented and dedicated educators every day (at Harmony Middle School),\u201d said Kingeter. \u201cI am grateful for each new day, and I have a renewed appreciation for all the good I have been blessed with in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kingeter has a new outlook on life following her two separate cancer scares a few years ago. She is currently a two-time renal cell carcinoma cancer survivor and has been able to adapt to the curveballs thrown her way throughout the journey. Her positive mindset and approach, coupled with her ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel, has made her understand what is truly most important in life, and the importance of \u201cletting the little stuff go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of the most important lessons I want my kiddos to know is that nothing is permanent,\u201d said Kingeter. \u201cIf they are having a bad day today, tomorrow is going to be different. I am always there for them, and through the years, they have taken me up on that statement. I have had students come tell me they were contemplating suicide, that their home life was that bad, or that they were hungry or without stable homes. Helping students through these difficult times is a privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While middle schoolers may think their lives are destined to turn out one particular way, Kingeter is there to reassure them that changing course and direction is acceptable and a part of life. It certainly was for her during her battles with cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WATCH VIDE<\/a>O<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving a \u2018Plan B\u2019 is one of my favorite life lessons,\u201d said Kingeter. \u201cBe flexible, adaptable, and ready with an alternative plan for anything critical. I let them know when I am personally using a \u2018Plan B\u2019 and why. Once we\u2019re all able to get over the initial shock of things not going the way we want, we often times find our work is even better than it would have been before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While she was sick, Kingeter\u2019s students collaborated and wrote her individual letters. Each day she would receive a different letter, along with prayers of encouragement from all faiths based on her students\u2019 individual beliefs. With children of her own, Kingeter\u2019s family was fed from the meal train her students\u2019 parents organized. It was a blessing and an experience that she\u2019ll hold near and dear to her heart as she continues her teaching journey for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a passion for making sure my students are ready to learn when they step into my classroom,\u201d said Kingeter. \u201cIf their basic needs are not met, they cannot learn the way they should. Making sure each student has food, clothing and shelter is so important and it brings me great joy to see a student who has been food insecure, or without shoes that fit, have those necessities met. It is a blessing for me to find a winter coat for a child who is cold, or buy a pair of soccer boots for a child who might not be able to play otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being named a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan for the month of June, Kingeter has also been recognized as a two-time \u201cTeacher of the Year\u201d honoree as well as the \u201cKansas Middle Level Art Teacher of the Year.\u201d She also stays in contact with former students and has been invited to numerous graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, dance recitals, soccer games, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRobin displays unparalleled compassion for families, students, and staff,\u201d said her nominator, Michelle Sutton. \u201cShe is the most compassionate, empathetic, and kind-hearted person I have had the pleasure of knowing, and is an angel to many, and a blessing to all with whom she comes in contact with. She sets aside her own needs to put others first. Having overcome renal cancer and a recurrence of it, she has not lamented her own mortality but used it as a springboard to live life to its fullest and never waiver when it is time to help a student, friend, colleague, or even a stranger in need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecognizing teachers who go above and beyond for their students only scratches the surface when describing the impact Robin has made in her local community,\u201d said Christina Lively, Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cHer ability to remain strong and determined while overcoming two battles with cancer is inspiring to all. The outcry of love and support from her students, faculty, and community members further demonstrates why she is a well-deserving Blue KC Sporting Samaritan for the month of June. Congratulations, Robin!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC Sporting Samaritans will continue to be recognized monthly at Children\u2019s Mercy Park during Sporting home games this season. Fans are encouraged to nominate teachers and students who are making a positive impact on their schools and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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