(AP) — A language arts teacher at Leavenworth High School is the 2014 Kansas Teacher of the Year.

Jeff Baxter won the honor during ceremonies Saturday night in Wichita.

As Teacher of the Year, Baxter receives a $4,000 cash award from Security Benefit Life, a major sponsor of the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. He’ll also receive an educational technology package valued at $7,250 from SMART Technologies ULC of Canada.

The other seven finalists were Jenny Nash of the Paola school district, Katie Perez of the Hutchinson district, Mary Lonker of the Wamego district, Brandi Leggett of the De Soto district, Jennifer Smith of the Blue Valley district, Marney Hay of the Maize district and Jennifer Bailey of the Valley Center district.

The finalists each get a $2,000 cash award.