2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year receives keys to car to use as education ambassador

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 27, 2026

2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year receives keys to car to use as education ambassador

Rachel Marlow will travel to advocate for teaching profession across Kansas

TOPEKA - Rachel Marlow, the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY), was presented on Tuesday, Jan. 27, with keys to a car to travel more than 15,000 miles across the state as an ambassador for the teaching profession for the next six months.

"This generosity just means so much," Marlow said of the 2025 Nissan Altima she'll use for the next several months. "Having a community partner that values education and is there to support us as we travel across the state, leading teachers. It's just a powerful reminder of what we're here to do, and I'm really excited and motivated to continue the advocacy for public education."

The presentation of the car keys from the local Enterprise Rent-a-Car^® team took place on the west side of the Landon State Office Building, in Topeka. Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and the rest of the 2026 KTOY team participated in the event.

Jacob Woodbury, Enterprise Rent-a-Car^® area rental manager, said the tradition of presenting the Kansas Teacher of the Year with the use of a car is part of the company's values.

"We strengthen our community, one neighborhood at a time, and we work hard and reward hard work," Woodbury said. "I think if there's any way to exemplify that, it's giving it to the educator of the year, somebody who works harder than most people and who is brightening the future of our community. I think that's a perfect example of our founding values and what we try to do at Enterprise."

Jonathan McCoy, Enterprise Rent-a-Car^® group rental manager, joined Woodbury in the presentation of the keys to Marlow, made possible through a grant from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

Marlow is a vocal music teacher at Central Elementary School, Olathe USD 233, and earned the state's top educator honor in September 2025. As part of her responsibilities in the coming months, Marlow will travel across the state to represent Kansas teachers at conferences, conventions and discussions with the state's policymakers. She also will offer professional development workshops for educators.

The Teacher of the Year program has state and national competitions. The national program, presented by Voya Financial, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. The Kansas program is sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

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Photo 1: Rachel Marlow with Enterprise reps. from left: Jonathon McCoy, Marlow, Jacob Woodbury

Photo 2: Rachel Marlow with KTOY team members