JUNCTION CITY, KAN. -
For Amanda Sparrow, a third-grade teacher at Ware Elementary, teaching is more than academics. It is about building relationships, fostering confidence, and helping students reach their full potential. “Teaching at Ware Elementary means everything to me. I am working in a wholesome environment where I am provided with the opportunity to make a difference in my students’ lives every day,” said Sparrow.
Now in her fourth year with Geary County Schools USD 475 and fifth year in education, Sparrow teaches third-grade math, science and social-emotional lessons. Her journey in USD 475 began at Seitz Elementary where she taught from 2022 to 2025 before her family’s military assignment temporarily took her to another state. During Sparrow’s time at Seitz, she also served as the yearbook and student council representative.
Sparrow is originally from the small town of Memphis, Mo., where she graduated from Scotland County High School in 2008. As a Tiger, she stayed actively involved in a variety of clubs and activities, including being a varsity football and basketball cheerleader, while also participating in color guard and several other school organizations. “I grew up in a small town surrounded by corn and bean fields,” said Sparrow, who went on to graduate from Buena Vista University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. In 2024, she completed the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) program to earn her Kansas Seal of Literacy, while also earning a master’s in instructional coaching from Emporia State University. Fast forward to 2026 and Sparrow can now be found making a difference in her classroom every single day through creativity and finding little ways she can connect with her students. Earlier this year, she introduced her Bears to a skip-counting song to help strengthen their multiplication fluency.
“To me, teaching isn’t just helping my students academically. Teaching is more, its helping students recognize their own potential, building confidence, creating a safe and supportive environment, and building relationships with my students and their families,” said Sparrow, who jokes that she thrives off caffeine and chaos. Whether she is helping students build confidence, discover their strengths, or master their multiplication facts, there is no doubt that Sparrow brings energy, dedication and a genuine passion for making a difference in the lives of her students.