Kansas Master Teacher Award Program
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. To be eligible for nomination, each candidate must have served at least five years in schools in Kansas as a teacher or administrator, exemplified teaching or administrative effectiveness, and demonstrated the attitude and abilities specified in the National Education Association's code of Ethics of the Educational Professional. Qualified candidates demonstrate these qualities by submitting an application documenting his or her educational philosophy, job performance, outstanding community service, continuous professional growth, exceptional school service and participation in professional organizations.
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. At the beginning of each year, selection of seven award recipients is made by a selection committee. The committee is comprised of the president or designated representative from prominent educational organizations such as: 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.
Each year, selected teachers are recognized during a special Kansas Master Teacher Recognition Day at Emporia State University. During the day, the teachers participate in several activities including a seminar, social and award dinner where each teacher will be honored.
The Kansas Master Teacher Program expresses appreciation for the generosity of Bank of America (formerly Nations Bank 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 Banking Center Manager, Carol Patterson, are committed to assisting ESU in its efforts to excel.