Jefferson’s Lawrence announces 2026 Teacher of the Year!

Jefferson’s of Lawrence is pleased to announce that Andria Devlin has been named Jefferson’s 2026 Lawrence Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Devlin teaches early childhood education at Lawrence Arts Center Preschool & Kindergarten. Devlin is a specialist and advocate for arts- and play-based learning. She has been teaching for 15 years, and her favorite dinosaur is a brontosaurus.

Mrs. Devlin was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day on May 5, aims to recognize one of the many deserving educators in the Lawrence area. Jefferson’s selected Mrs. Devlin as the Lawrence Teacher of the Year for her three-dimensional, imaginative ways of connecting her students with creativity, knowledge, and nature. 

“Mrs. Devlin’s nominators spoke of her passion and innovation,” said Jefferson’s president Brandon Graham. “Mrs. Devlin’s students have art gallery shows, an abundance of outdoor time, and a [butterfly] Monarch Waystation—and they paint monster truck wheels! Mrs. Devlin shows her students that learning is magical. We’re honored to recognize her for her dedication to the Lawrence community.”

Devlin will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and her achievement will be commemorated on the “Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year” plaque at the Lawrence restaurant.

“Not everyone can say that they love their job, but I truly do,” said Mrs. Devlin in a statement. “There is nothing better than making connections with children and families—watching children learn, grow, and discover their talents and celebrating big and small milestones with them and their grown-ups. Encouraging children’s natural curiosity and wonder while watching the “aha” moments when they occur is an absolute joy. It is my privilege to be even a small part of a child’s and their family’s life.” 

Last year was the launch of the Teacher of the Year program, with Kathryn Brooks, teacher at West Middle School, selected as Lawrence’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. 

This year is the sophomore run for the Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year award, launched as a companion program to Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award, which runs in the fall. The teachers’ initiative is open to teachers working with students of any age, and candidates could be nominated by students, parents and guardians of students, school officials, or other community members.