Celebrate Mrs. (Gish) James' 43-year Legacy of Teaching

For 43 incredible years, Linda (Gish) James has poured her heart and soul into teaching at Blue Jacket/Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School. She’s the kind of teacher every child should experience at least once in their life—the kind who inspires, uplifts, and leaves an unforgettable mark.

Both of my children were lucky enough to have Mrs. James as their third-grade teacher, and even after four decades in the classroom, she was still bursting with creativity, joy, and energy. They absolutely adore her—and they’re not alone. From 7-year-olds to 37-year-olds, her former students all say the same thing: Mrs. James was the best teacher I ever had.

Mrs. (Gish) James has announced that she will be retiring at the end of this school year, closing a beautiful chapter in education. She once shared that it has always been her dream to visit Hawaii, but she has never had the chance. This GoFundMe page was created to surprise her by making that dream come true. A way of honoring her career, saying thank you for the generations of lives she's touched, and giving her the best retirement present possible. Pandia Graves Travel will be donating trip planning services to help Mrs. James arrange the vacation once funds have been raised. And, Mrs. James' daughter, Elizabeth "Zibby" Clemons will help us surprise her mom with the gift and arrange the transfer of funds.

Though our goal may seem lofty, we want Mrs. James to be able to take a traveling buddy with her and, as most of her friends and family are also teachers, a trip to Hawaii is unattainable on their salaries. If Mrs. James has impacted your life or your child’s, please consider donating. Even $10 from each family she’s touched would take us far beyond our goal. And just as importantly, please share this page widely within the BJF and Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) communities. Let’s come together to celebrate her in a way she’ll never forget. Let’s send Linda to Hawaii with our love and gratitude wrapped in every mile!

More about Linda James:

Linda is a lifelong member of the SMSD family. She attended Crestview Elementary, Milburn Jr. High School, and Shawnee Mission North. (Fun fact: Linda was on the dance team at both Milburn Junior High and SMN!)

Linda has spent her entire teaching career in the SMSD. All 43 years have been spent between the old Bluejacket building and Bluejacket-Flint. She loves this community that she was raised in so much that she chose to raise her family here so they could attend BJF, Hocker Grove, and Shawnee Mission North.

She is a huge supporter of current and former students, often spending evenings and weekends watching them play various sports or attending plays, dance recitals, and other performing arts programs. If invited, she will be there, and the kids absolutely light up when they see her in the crowd.

A commitment to education runs in her family. Linda's grandfather was in the field of education and worked as a Superintendent in a small town here in Kansas. Her dad, Merlin Gish, was a well-respected math teacher and coach at Shawnee Mission North High School (the track at SMN is named in his honor). Her sister, Lisa, is a teacher in Shawnee at St. Joseph Catholic School.

Linda has three children, and two of them are educators. Elizabeth “Zibby” is a math teacher at Hocker Grove, and her son, Matthew, is a Social Studies teacher at Olathe North. Her third child, Mark, works in management at a local movie theater.

Besides winning Teacher of the Month from radio station 106.5, she was awarded Shawnee Walmart’s Teacher of the Year in 2008.

Although she has LOVED every minute of her teaching career, she is very excited to become a grandma this August and help her daughter and son-in-law with childcare. During her free time, she loves spending time with friends and family, reading books, going to musical productions, shopping with her daughter, and the occasional Hallmark movie.

If you were to ask her students about something she always says, they'll likely reply,

“Aww, fiddlesticks!”

Linda has been a true gift to our school and community. She is caring and compassionate-always there to listen or offer a hug, can be the voice of reason when needed, and would go out of her way to do anything for anyone without giving it a second thought. She is well-respected and truly loved by her colleagues and the BJF/SMSD community.

Let’s give back to the woman who has given us all so much. Let’s send Linda to Hawaii!!