For the past three decades, Annette Luke has been a beacon of hope, inspiration, and knowledge that she has graciously shared with the hundreds of students she’s had the opportunity to teach. After teaching second through fifth grade during her highly successful 18-year career, Luke officially retired from teaching last month at Thomas Ultican Elementary School in Blue Springs, Missouri.
“The best part about teaching at Thomas Ultican is that we are like one, big family,” said Luke. “The students and staff care about and support each other. We also involved the parents and community members in many activities and events as frequently as we could.”
With so many joyful moments throughout her teaching career, Luke can point to the life-long relationships she’s made along with way and the pride in knowing her methods and teaching styles helped to create lasting impacts for her students.
“It would be very difficult to pick just one proud moment because I have had so many in my 31 years of teaching,” said Luke. “However, my favorites are when I see my students finally succeed at the goals they were working to achieve. I also enjoy seeing the proud looks on their faces and the excitement when they see me on the sidelines of their sports activities or in the audience at their performances.”
One key element that Luke utilized throughout her career was her ability to work with the parents of her students. She made it a priority to personally call each family within the first few weeks of a new school year to start building a positive relationship. Since both the teacher and parents want what’s best for the student, she made sure to listen and always kept an open line of communication, while also being understanding and supportive.
“I advise my students to never give up, even when it’s hard,” said Luke. “Always try your best and be willing to ask for help. Hard work and perseverance will help you achieve any and all of your personal goals.”
As the decades progressed, Luke had to continue to innovate her teaching methods in order to create the best possible learning environment. She never complained and never wavered from her ultimate goal of being the best she could be for everyone in her classroom.
“I always try to make each student feel valued and respected,” said Luke. “I take the time to get to know my students, and then I emphasize their strengths. I celebrate each student’s unique talents and then, if given permission, attend their activities outside of the school day. I want them to know that they are important no matter who they are or what they are interested in.”
Even though Luke is now officially retired, she isn’t going to disappear and will still play a major factor in the Kansas City community. She plans to dive deeper into volunteer work at a variety of organizations that she’s been an assistant with for many years. She’ll use her talents from the classroom to continue leaving a lasting impression on those she interacts with.
“Ms. Luke is the embodiment of a team player,” said one of Luke’s seven nominators, Alison Longwell. “She is at every single school event and volunteers to be the face of our school within our community. Her love for our school is only outdone by her love for our students. It is very common for Ms. Luke to tutor a student after school and then rush out to see another student play at a sporting event or perform in a dance recital. She is so well-loved in our community and beyond.”
“I have been blessed to teach alongside her for my first-year teaching and her last,” said another one of Luke’s nominators, Eden Tolliver. “She is positive, hard-working, trustworthy, driven, kind, funny, and loves others loudly. She is the kind of teacher that I can only hope I will be one day. She is a one-of-a-kind person, teacher, and friend.”
“A remarkable individual who has poured her heart and soul into educating our children for the past three decades, we congratulate Annette on an incredible career,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Her uplifting, kind-hearted, and energetic personality has benefitted hundreds of students and will continue to impact the local community in the years to come. Thank you!”
“I loved being a positive influence in my student’s lives and getting to know their families,” said Luke. “I want them to know I’m always there to support them.”
Fans are encouraged to nominate teachers and students who are making a positive impact on their schools and communities by using the form online at https://www.BlueKC.com/NominateSportingSamaritans
Through the Blue KC Sporting Samaritan program, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and Sporting KC are honoring students and teachers who are making a significant impact in Kansas City and inspiring others to do the same.