About Us

Dr. Mike Bannen is the Executive Director of KAVT and a proud veteran teacher of 24 years.  He has taught theatre, English, history, and education in public, private, non-profit, and post-secondary institutions.  He has a Bachelors in philosophy from the University of Kansas, an MA in secondary education from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and a Phd in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas. Currently he teaches 7-12th grade Social Studies and theatre in Overland Park, Kansas.  

Gayle Sullard McDow is a Board Member of KAVT and a veteran educator of 33 years.  She has taught kindergarten, 5th grade, 6th grade, 8th grade and has been an administrator.  She has worked in both public and private settings. Gayle has a BS in education preK-9, a MS in special education K-9 and principal/school leadership K-12. Gayle was also chosen to participate in the Harvard Graduate School Principal’s Center “Improving Schools, the Art of Leadership” program.  At present she enjoys being in the trenches teaching middle school special education students in Paola, Kansas.

Joanna Lassley  is the Artistic/Education Director for Helen Hocker Theater under the management of Topeka Civic Theatre  in Topeka, KS.   Jo has a B.A. in Theatre and an MBA.  She has worked for Topeka Civic Theatre since 1997 and directs most of HHT’s youth productions, its annual summer camp program and oversees its long-running teen Theatre troupe, The Bathhouse Players.  

Claire Reagan is a veteran teacher of 14 years, teaching high school English in both public and private schools. She was recently elected to the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education and will begin her four-year term in January. Claire currently serves as her children’s elementary school PTO President; she is a 2019 Olathe Civic & Johnson County Citizens Academies; she is in her second term on the City of Olathe Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board; she is a part of the Kansas City Area Parents as Teachers Consortium Advisory Board, the current Vice Chair Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, a recently re-appointed Johnson County Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board, and the Vice Chair Johnson County Public Health Leadership Council. She believes the partnership between teachers, staff, and parents is the glue that keeps our schools together and ensures our kids are safe. “Our children deserve every opportunity to thrive and find their own unique success, which only happens if we have the best teachers and staff in our classrooms.”

Dr. Sarah Marten is a former middle school English teacher and has worked in the field of education for more than twenty years. Currently, she is a program director at the Kansas City Regional Professional Development Center at UMKC. Dr. Marten is a true advocate for teachers, especially veteran teachers. She believes teachers’ voices should be sought after and amplified when framing education policy at all levels. 

Jane Martin is an experienced writer and creative marketing strategist who enjoys using her craft to uncover and tell a memorable story. From the moment she could read, she was enamored with the power of words and the way in which the right message can transform and enhance lives. Curious by nature, she is a lifelong learner who has focused much of her career on showcasing the good work of area non-profit organizations, including schools. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and a B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature from Indiana University - Bloomington. She loves being able to share success stories of local teachers and students.