“For me, teaching has always been about service to students and the community,” said Basehor-Linwood High School math teacher, Patti Erneste.
This mindset and approach have helped shape a career filled with memories, opportunities, and milestones for Erneste, who has taught high school math for more than 30 years. This accomplishment, along with her time in the U.S. Army Reserve Band, has helped shape her foundation by teaching her the importance of showing up, being dependable, and doing her part for the team. Which in turn, she has passed along to her students in education.
“Every day is a new day,” said Erneste. “Students grow and learn, then become productive citizens of their community. In my classroom, I’m not just teaching math, but I’m also teaching young people. I love watching them grow throughout their years at school and seeing who they become beyond the classroom.”
Throughout the past three decades, Erneste has seen student growth in a wide variety of ways. For her, it’s always noticeable when students in her class realize they are capable of more than they once believed. From an outsider looking in, that may seem like a minor blip in the radar, but Erneste believes those small victories are what motivate her to continue teaching year after year.
“I tell my students, ‘Know what you know, know what you don’t know, and ask the right questions so you can truly understand’,” said Erneste. “Learning builds on itself. The more you know, the more you know! I remind them that tenacity and grit are their friends. Doubt and frustration simply mean there is work to do and that growth is happening. You are capable and can do the hard things.”
Ever since she earned her first degree from the University of Central Missouri, Erneste has always built a foundation of respect and clear expectations. While she sets a high bar for behavior, it’s a vital piece to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for everyone in the classroom. She wants her students to feel welcome, at ease, and comfortable without the fear of being judged by others.
“High standards lead to higher achievement,” said Erneste. “I talk a lot about the concept of ‘one more’, meaning one more step, one more try, or one more level of difficulty. If you can do this, then you can do the next thing, and then the next! It helps students see connections, build confidence, and continue growing. In the end, it’s a life skill to set the bar high and continue reaching for it.”
As a current Integrated Math II teacher, Erneste is a motivator and inspiration to those in her classroom, as well as those who have graduated throughout her tenure. She still looks forward to coming to work each morning and values the kindness and generosity of the staff, students, administration, and families within the Basehor-Linwood community.
“I try to lead with a service mindset in everything I do, whether teaching, coaching, or working with adaptive athletes within my community,” said Erneste. “My goal is straightforward: I want students to feel seen, supported, and capable. Teaching is not just about delivering math content. Students learn from the adults around them at all times, so I make it a priority to model good citizenship, kindness, accountability, and reliability alongside the coursework.”
“Throughout her career, Patti has consistently gone above and beyond to support her students,” said Erneste’s nominator, Laura Haas. “She integrates inclusive practices into her teaching, ensuring every student—regardless of their abilities—has an equal opportunity to succeed. Her unwavering commitment to helping students "win the day" and achieve success in life creates a positive and empowering environment for all those she teaches.”
“Patti is the true definition of a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan because of her compassion, dedication, and warm personality,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC President. “Her ability to connect and influence high school students for the past 30 years is inspiring, uplifting, and sensational. It’s our honor to highlight her accomplishments throughout her well-respected career, and we look forward to continuing to support Patti in her future endeavors.”
“I encourage students to think ahead and image their future story, then set goals and work steadily toward them,” said Erneste. “In my experience, meaningful growth comes from consistent effort and a willingness to keep trying. If you are willing to put in the work, more is possible than you think.”
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/NominateSportingSamaritan.
