In Memoriam: Joann McRell, KATE Exec. Board Member & KSDE Liaison

​It is with heavy heart that I announce that on July 3, 2024, KATE executive board member and KSDE Liaison, Joann McRell passed away after a long fight with cancer. 

Joann first became a member of the Kansas Association of Teachers of English in 2019, and for the past five years has served as a board member who worked tirelessly as an English Language Arts Consultant for KSDE. She bridged the gap between organizations, helping KATE grow stronger with its relationship to KSDE, as well as with other organizations like College Board. She presented at many conferences, helped to create scholarships and funding to help new teachers find support through the organization, and was a fierce advocate for childhood literacy and stressed the importance of text complexity in the classroom.

Whether you worked directly with her or only attended one of her workshops or sessions, Joann’s sincerity, honesty, commitment, and loving personality shone through all that she did.

Joann had a vision for teachers and students in English Language Arts. She was a beloved educator, mother, grandmother, friend, and colleague.

Specific details regarding funeral services visitations, flowers, cards, and memorial donations can be found alongside her official obituary on the Roberts Blue Barnett Funeral Home website.
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Feel free to share your own memories of Joann in the comments section on our Facebook page or here on KATE PAGES.

– Nathan Whitman, KATE President