Emporia State University established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1953.  The awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession long and well and who also typify the good qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers.

  The Kansas Master Teacher Program expresses appreciation for the generosity of Bank of America (formerly NationsBank and Bank IV - Emporia).   Since 1980, this Emporia bank has pledged $100,000 to permanently endow the Master Teacher Program.  Bank of America and its Emporia Vice President, Carol Patterson, are committed to assisting ESU in its efforts to excel.

  Candidates for the awards are typically nominated by local teacher associations and school faculties.  More than one individual may be nominated from a school or U.S.D.; however, only one person from a U.S.D. will be selected as a Master Teacher.  In February, selection of seven award recipients is made by a committee.  The committee is comprised of the president or designated representative of the following educational organizations:   Kansas-National Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi-International Honor Society in Education, Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers, Kansas Division of the American Association of University Women, and United School Administrators.  Two Master Teachers from the previous year also serve on the committee.

Last Updated May 4, 2007