TOPEKA, Kan - A total of 77 individuals have been selected to receive Outstanding Performing Arts Educator Awards from the NFHS, including 35 with Outstanding Music Educator Awards, 26 with Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Awards and 16 with Outstanding Theatre Awards.
For the first time this year, in addition to honoring educators at the high school level, a number of awards were presented to middle school performing arts educators.
The 35 music honorees include eight section recipients and 17 state recipients at the high school level, and seven section recipients and three state recipients at the middle school level. Seven individuals are receiving section awards in speech and debate and 15 will be honored with state awards, along with four section recipients at the middle school level. In theatre, there are six section and seven state recipients, along with three section recipients at the middle school level.
Since 1988 when the first Outstanding Speech/Debate/Theatre Educator Awards were presented, 273 individuals have received section awards and 443 have been honored with state awards. The Outstanding Music Educator Awards began a year later in 1989, and 236 individuals have received section awards and another 431 have been honored with state awards. The Outstanding Theatre Award was given for the first time three years ago, separating it from the Outstanding Speech/Debate Educator Award, and 28 individuals have received section awards and 24 have earned state awards.
Click here to see prior winners of the
Outstanding Music Educator or
Outstanding Speech/Debate/Theatre Educator awards.
Outstanding Music Educator Awards
Martha Gabel - Section 5 - Kansas
Martha Gabel has devoted nearly four decades to advancing music education, serving as Fine Arts Coordinator for Olathe Public Schools since 2006. She leads over 200 educators across music, theatre, and visual arts, overseeing curriculum, professional development, and resource allocation. Martha’s leadership has earned Olathe repeated recognition as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Her influence extends statewide and nationally through roles with KMEA and NAfME, including KMEA President and Southwestern Division President. She chaired the Kansas Music Standards Revision Committee and helped establish the KMEA All-State Elementary Choir. Martha is a sought-after presenter and advocate, shaping policy and promoting equitable access to arts education. Her visionary leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence have transformed programs and inspired educators across Kansas and beyond, making her a true champion for music education.
Middle School Music – Section Recipients
Lance Burnett – Section 5 - Kansas
Lance Burnett has devoted more than two decades to building an exceptional choral program at Chanute Middle School in Kansas. With a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership, Lance combines artistry with visionary leadership. His choirs earn superior ratings at festivals and perform at major events, including Kansas City Royals games and community celebrations. Lance directs biennial musicals of remarkable quality and fosters student engagement through innovative ensembles like Vocal Plus and ukulele clubs. His adaptability shone during the pandemic when he directed Seussical via Zoom, ensuring continuity in arts education. Honors include KMEA Outstanding Middle School Educator and multiple clinician roles at state festivals. Lance’s commitment extends beyond performance—he mentors students to develop confidence, discipline, and teamwork through music. His passion and creativity have transformed Chanute’s program into a vibrant hub of excellence, inspiring students and strengthening arts education statewide.
Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Awards
State Recipients
Kimberly Heath - Kansas
Kim Heath has spent more than 30 years shaping speech and debate in Kansas, mentoring students and coaches alike. A two-diamond NSDA coach and Kansas Teacher of the Year nominee, Kim leads one of the state’s most successful programs while hosting major tournaments and serving on statewide committees. Her dedication to equity, excellence, and student empowerment has left an indelible mark on Kansas forensics.
Outstanding Theatre Educator Awards
Leslie Coats – Section 5 - Kansas
Leslie Coats’ extraordinary 50-year career at Paola High School in Kansas reflects her unwavering commitment to theatre education. Coats developed a rigorous curriculum and directed productions that prepared students for success in post-secondary programs. Her leadership extended beyond the classroom through service as Kansas Thespians State Director and contributions to writing state theatre standards. Coats consistently sought professional growth, attending workshops at Juilliard and Chekhov Studio, and taking students to Broadway and national festivals. Her program achieved national recognition, with productions featured on the main stage at the International Thespian Festival and Kansas Thespian Festival multiple times. Honors include induction into the Kansas Thespians Hall of Fame and the Baehr Foundation Distinguished Educator Award. Coats’ dedication to accessibility ensured all students could participate in transformative experiences. Her legacy of excellence, advocacy, and mentorship has profoundly shaped theatre education in Kansas and inspired countless educators and performers.
Middle School Theatre
Sarah Ackerman – Section 5 – Kansas
Sarah Ackerman is a dynamic theatre educator whose career blends educational leadership, instructional technology, and arts innovation. With degrees in Elementary and Special Education, Instructional Technology, and Education Innovation, she has transformed Oregon Trail Middle School’s drama program into a hub of creativity and inclusion. Her production-based model ensures every student participates in quarterly one-act plays, plus annual musicals and mainstage shows. Ackerman champions equity through initiatives like the Amplify LatinX Voices Playwriting Residency, securing a $10,000 grant to commission an original play written by her students and guided by a Latin playwright. Her programs foster inclusion by collaborating with Autism, CBR, and ELL teams. Previously, she founded Madison Avenue Performing Arts, a children’s theatre that continues today. Ackerman’s leadership extends to KS Jr. Thespians and robotics programs, reflecting her commitment to holistic education. She is celebrated for creating safe, empowering spaces where students discover confidence, creativity, and community.