Ambassador

Michal Austin began teaching art in a small rural district in 1994, shortly after graduating from Wichita State University with her BAE. During her 30 years with the Flinthills School District, Austin has been inducted into the Kansas Teacher's Hall of Fame, been the Technology Student Association (TSA) State Advisor of the Year twice, been the district Teacher of the Year, and been named Teacher of Influence. She has presented at state and national art and technology conferences many times, as her passion for sharing knowledge goes beyond the classroom walls. While her recognitions are nice, what makes Austin most proud is seeing her students succeed. She has watched students discover and develop their passions in her class year after year, celebrated with them as they won awards at the state and national levels, and consoled them when things didn't go as planned. Austin has supported her students long after they graduated high school and is honored when they bring their own children back to her district.