Host families enjoy spending time with hall of fame inductees

During the month of June, five of the nation’s top teachers travel to Emporia, Kansas to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. These five inductees enjoy 3-day of fun, fellowship and celebrity treatment. During their stay in Emporia, the inductees live with five volunteer host families.

This year’s host families are Scott and Kathy Waters, Clyde and Carolyn Davidson, Kevin and Cynthia Kienholz, Paul and Lendi Bland and Nate and Cathy Terrell. These families will open up their homes for a few days and let these new hall of fame teachers stay with them.

This is not the first time the Terrell’s have been a host family before and have enjoyed the experience.

“[We’ve been a host family two times before] for Dr. Emiel Hamberlin (2001) and Ms. Janice Gould (2002),” Dr. Nathaniel Terrell said. “It is always an honor to be chosen as a host family. Also, it’s always nice to interact with the inductees and their families.”

The Terrell’s have kept in touch with the teachers whom they have hosted and have gained a lot from continuing that connection.

“Dr. Hamberlin has been back to Kansas three times presenting at different events and the family has visited with him each time.  In addition, during spring break (2007), Cathy and I visited the Hamberlin’s at their home in Chicago for five days,” Dr. Nathaniel Terrell said. “The time with the Hamberlin’s, the people we were introduced to, and different places Dr. Hamberlin introduced us to will always be cherished.  We also have been adopted into the Hamberlin’s family.”

The Kienholz’s have not been a host family before, but they are looking forward to it and wanted to do it for several reasons.

“We agreed to serve as a host family this year for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the National Teacher Hall of Fame induction is a great event for the community of Emporia and for the university community, as well,” Dr. Kevin Kienholz said. “Serving as a host family will allow us the chance to participate in the life of the community in a fun and interesting way.  The people associated with this event are terrific, and so it should be loads of fun to have the chance to work with some people I already know as well as to meet some new folks along the way.”

Last Updated July 2, 2007>