There are people you meet, people you know, and people you will always remember. Ann Marie “Annie” Kotich is one of those unforgettable people.

Born on February 27, 1974, in Topeka, Kansas, Annie lived her life with a fearless refusal to say, “I can’t.” After an early career in the corporate world, she followed her true calling and returned to school, graduating from Washburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and a Bachelor of Business Administration. She went on to serve as a middle school English and Reading Strategies educator in the Wichita and Kansas City metro areas—where she would change countless young lives.

Annie believed deeply in the power of stories and the importance of student voice. She was a passionate advocate for graphic novels as a gateway to literacy and often said, “When students are given a voice and a choice, they tend to flourish.” In the classroom, Annie was bold, compassionate, and unafraid to stand up for what was right. When systems prioritized test scores over students, Annie always chose children. She fought for creativity, for critical thinking, and for the individual stories each student carried inside them.

Her impact was undeniable. In 2020, Annie received the prestigious Sunflower Award, a once-a-year recognition honoring educators who make a lasting difference. Fittingly, she was nominated not by administrators—but by a student whose life she had touched.

Outside the classroom, Annie was a writer at heart, working on young adult fiction of her own. She loved the perfect cup of coffee, long walks with her beloved boxador, Gatsby, and was known for her impeccable sense of style. A devoted Edgar Allan Poe enthusiast, she traveled often and cherished time spent with her beloved nieces and nephews—always ensuring she was the best dressed in any room she entered.

Annie’s Write Up exists to continue the work Annie began—to give students a voice, to celebrate their creativity, and to help young writers see their stories come to life in print. Through every book published, her legacy lives on.