MID-AMERICA REGION
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma
Welcome to the MidAmerica Region! I’m glad to have you in our region. The members of our region are all striving to positively impact their school’s culture and climate.
The first thing I want to stress is that Jostens Renaissance is not “something else to do.” What we have found is that many schools in the MidAmerica Region are already doing great things. Jostens Renaissance is a way to help you focus on areas where your school might want to improve.
In our group, we are continuously sharing ideas so that all schools in our region can be the best version of themselves. I encourage you to join our facebook group where educators from all over the region are sharing ideas and willing to help. Our entire region looks forward to working with you.
MEET YOUR RENAISSANCE CHAMPION
Renaissance Champions lead their region with a philosophy fueled by passion, positivity, and the belief that culture and climate change everything. In addition to supporting their Renaissance Ambassadors and other educators in their region, they spark joy, recognize greatness, and create environments where teachers love their jobs and students thrive in school.
DeWayne Patterson
Bixby, Oklahoma
DeWayne Patterson is the Activities Director at Bixby High School in Oklahoma, a multi-year Jostens Renaissance Platinum School of Distinction. He holds degrees from Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University. In 2023, DeWayne was presented the Warren E. Shull Advisor of the Year Award by the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils and he was recognized as Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year in 2025.
Want to talk to DeWayne? He can answer all your questions about using Renaissance. Email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you
MEET YOUR RENAISSANCE AMBASSADORS
Renaissance ambassadors build a vibrant network of educators who believe culture and climate support school success. As volunteers, Ambassadors form and maintain a sense community in their local area.
Jen Kane
Ottawa, Kansas
Jen Kane is the Renaissance Advisor at Ottawa High School, where she also teaches English Language Arts and Leadership. She received her B.A. at Drake University in Iowa. After traveling the world in music ministry, she earned her Teacher Certification from Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS. Jen has been in education for 17 years and the Renaissance Advisor at OHS for 11 years. She is a Renaissance National Staffulty of the Month, has led multiple workshops at the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference, and loves empowering students to try new things and step into leadership roles. Ottawa High School has been a Gold Level School of Distinction and is a two-time Platinum School of Distinction.
Get in touch with Jen! If you live near Ottawa and want to connect with Jen or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Kelly Whittaker
Ottawa, Kansas
Kelly Whittaker is the principal of Ottawa High School. Now in her 20th year as an educator, she has served at every level: elementary, middle, and high school. Kelly began her career as a special education teacher, spending six years in the classroom before moving into high school administration, where she has served for the past 14 years. Her leadership and passion for school culture have been recognized nationally, as she has been
named a Renaissance National Staffulty of the Month and honored as the 2025 Kansas Secondary Principal of the Year. At Ottawa High School, Kelly and her team fully embrace the Jostens Results Formula, which has transformed the culture and climate of their school. Kelly absolutely LOVES a good Renaissance Rally and is excited to help other schools experience the power of Renaissance!
Get in touch with Kelly! If you live near Ottawa and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Kathryn Plumlee
Bixby, Oklahoma
Hi – I’m Kathryn Plumlee from Bixby West Intermediate School in Oklahoma. With 27 years of experience as an educator, I am deeply passionate about building meaningful relationships with students that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Over the past three years, I have actively participated in Jostens Renaissance implementation, where I’ve embraced the importance of intentionally cultivating a school climate where staff love to work and students are excited to learn and grow. I believe that for schools to truly thrive, every student and staff member must feel heard, seen, and love. I look forward to helping other school become as passionate about Renaissance culture as we are!
Get in touch with Kathryn! If you live near Bixby and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Kristy Cooper
Del City, Oklahoma
Kristy Cooper has been teaching for the past 21 years at Del City High School. She received her bachelors from the University of Oklahoma. Early in her career, she started sponsoring student councils and learned that she loves running school wide events. As that passion grew, Kristy became heavily involved in the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils. She has hosted two state conventions, and has served on the OASC board twice. She has also worked a number of workshops over the summers for the past 15 years. Overtime she discovered Jostens Renaissance where the framework has helped organize all the school wide events at her school. Over the years, she’s received a number of awards, including Teacher of the Year for her school twice.
Get in touch with Kristy! If you live near Del City and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Leanne Pyles
Bixby, Oklahoma
Hi, I’m Leanne Pyles from Bixby West Intermediate School in Oklahoma. With 23 years of experience in education, I am passionate about creating a school environment where both students and Staffulty feel valued, inspired and excited to be every day. For the past three years, I’ve been actively involved with Jostens Renaissance, incorporating its principles daily in my classroom and leading school-wide initiatives that foster a positive culture and climate. I currently teacher 6th grad science and serve as the student council sponsor. I take pride in mentoring student leaders and building a strong sense of community. Sharing fresh ideas and continually striving to make our school the best in can be is what drives me every single day.
Get in touch with Leanne! If you live near Bixby and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!