Kansas Master Teacher Day scheduled for March 30

The Kansas Master Teacher Award will celebrate its 52th anniversary this year with the induction of seven new teachers.

Emporia State University has honored 376 teachers since the annual award was founded. According to awards committee chairman Scott Waters, Kansas Master Teachers are educators who have "served the profession long and well, and who also typify the good qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers."

Nominations come from local teacher associations, educational organizations and colleagues. A committee representing educational organizations across Kansas selects the finalists in February. The seven chosen teachers will be honored with a day of tours, seminars and receptions March 30 at Emporia State University.

Bank of America has underwritten the Kansas Master Teachers program for over 20 years.

KANSAS MASTER TEACHERS 2005

Mary Van Dyke
Atchison

Mary Van Dyke sees herself as a "talent scout" for creative productions. "I aim to teach students to express themselves, value the freedom of individual effort, and take that giant leap along the path to self-awareness." Van Dyke currently serves as district facilitator for gifted and talented K - 8 in Atchison . She has been very instrumental in obtaining numerous grants to fund creative and innovative projects for her students. "Ever since I stepped into her classroom, new things have awaited me. I have been a part of many projects, from essays to dramas, each only making me a stronger learner and leader," writes a student. Van Dyke has worked in Atchison since 1975. She was named Technology and Learning Magazine, Kansas Teacher of the Year in 1994 and Atchison Rotary Teacher of the Year in 1995.

Ken Garwick
Marlatt Elementary School
Manhattan

Ken Garwick has a love for music and a magical approach to teaching. He shares his love of music by using various songs to introduce topics of study. Garwick strives to make each day exciting for his students so they will want to be in school. He accomplishes this through both hands-on and minds-on activities. He likes to use a little magic in his classroom. As a sixth-grade teacher at Marlatt Elementary school in Manhattan , he magically teaches students about economics and the importance of managing their money. His innovative teaching methods in economics earned him a State Farm Insurance Good Neighbor Teaching Award. Garwick has also received multiple year recognition in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers."

Connie Neneman
Wilroads Gardens Elementary
Dodge City

"I truly believe that good teachers evolve and our commitment to change is one of the most valuable resources that we have to offer to our student's future," writes Connie Neneman, who has taught elementary school student in Kansas for over a decade. "I embrace the challenge to find the "common threads" in effective teaching and apply them to teach the forever changing student." Neneman is an advocate for reading. "I believe reading is at the heart of everything we do. I try to promote it in every way possible." She has written her own take home books for her beginning readers, created 30 take-home alphabet books for K - 1, ESL and remedial instruction. She has also received recognition for her work with the Accelerated Reader Program. Neneman is active in the Red Cross and Girl Scouts.

Sandy Hardesty
Washburn Rural High School
Topeka

Sandy Hardesty's love for teaching began as a small child. She fondly remembers playing school in her basement and assigning "lessons" to the neighborhood kids. Her educational philosophy centers on students not the material they are being taught. "Students need teachers who implement the best teaching practices." Not everyone learns the same way and I would be remiss in my duties if I expected my students to all fit into one category and did not adapt to their learning styles." For over a decade, Hardesty has taught English and Social Studies in Topeka . She also serves as dance team assistant coach and has coached in several other areas. Hardesty is active in her community and participated in numerous community service projects.

Kathryn L. Reschke
Arbor Creek Elementary K - 6 School Counselor
Olathe

For more than 25 years, Kathryn Reschke a K - 6 school counselor in Olathe has been helping people help themselves. "Every educator wants to make a difference in a life of a child, but I want to take it a step further; I want the child then to make a difference for others. Her teaching involves role playing and giving students real life situations that they often encounter as kids. Reschke is very involved in student activities. She is coordinator of the school's Kindest Kansas Citian Reception and Red Ribbon Week activities. Reschke was named the outstanding school counselor of the year in the elementary division by the Kansas School Counselor Association.

Kimberly Thomas
McLean Science & Technology Elementary Magnet School
Wichita

Students in Kimberly Thomas' fifth grade class learn through actively engaging in hand-on activities. "Students learn best when they are actively engaged and involved in their own learning. I incorporate higher-level thinking and inquiry skills into the projects in order to stretch each student's thinking process." In her classroom, Thomas encourages her students to develop unique talents and explore their individual learning interests and needs. Thomas was named 2004 Kansas Regional Teacher of the Year and was named Values in Action National Educator of the Year.

Larry Wayland
Blue Valley West High School
Overland Park

Quoting from Helen Keller, Larry Wayland says, "Relationships are the cornerstone of all meaningful teaching." Wayland, a visual art teacher at Blue Valley West High School believes that teaching is a privileged position that demands humility as much as respect. "Students as human beings are all different, yet have great potential." In his 32 years in education, Wayland has held a wide variety of teaching and administrative positions, ranging from elementary school art teacher to high school department chairman, from art therapist to district public relations director. Wayland was the brainchild of West Gallery Hall, an innovative art gallery used to showcase student work. He was also instrumental in the West Works project, a high school art show. Wayland has been awarded the Blue Valley West Golden Apple Teacher Award on two occasions.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>