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Latest News from The Teachers College

Six Horizon Award winners are ESU alums

Friday January 19, 2024 The Teachers College

Six of the 2024 Horizon Award winners earned their degrees from Emporia State University. The recipients were announced by the Kansas Department of Education recently. They will be honored at a ceremony during the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network State Education conference on Feb. 23 in Topeka.

Dr. Damara Goff Paris named 2023-24 John E. King Endowed Professor

Thursday August 17, 2023 The Teachers College

The Teachers College at Emporia State University named Dr. Damara Goff Paris the 2023-24 John E. King Endowed Professor. Dr. Paris was recently promoted to full professor in Counselor Education within The School of Applied Health Sciences. She began working for Emporia State University in 2014. “I was very surprised to have been chosen for this prestigious award,” Paris said. “I am very honored to have been chosen.”

National Teachers Hall of Fame Induction Week Begins Monday

Friday June 9, 2023 The Teachers College

The five career teachers in the National Teachers Hall of Fame Class of 2023 arrive in Emporia on Monday, June 12, for a week of activities that culminate in their induction into the hall. Several events later in the week are open to the public. This is the 31st year for the NTHF induction ceremonies.

NTHF Washington, D.C., and Emporia Induction Activities

Friday May 12, 2023 The Teachers College

The five career teachers in the National Teachers Hall of Fame Class of 2023 traveled recently to Washington D.C., to participate in the first part of induction ceremonies. The Emporia induction activities will begin June 12.

The Teachers College Honors Students Through End-of-Year Ceremony

Thursday May 4, 2023 The Teachers College

Nearly 130 people were recognized at The Teachers College Annual Honors Event held the evening of May 1 on the campus of Emporia State University. Of those honored, 122 are graduating students, and seven are retiring members of the college. Twenty-five students received outstanding student awards and 97 students were honored for achievement of a 3.8 grade point average or higher.

Elizabeth Dobler is 2023 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor at Emporia State University

Thursday April 27, 2023 The Teachers College

A professor of elementary education with a focus on reading and literacy is the 2023 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor at Emporia State University. Dr. Elizabeth Dobler received the award during a surprise presentation at the conclusion of her Dr. John E. King Endowed Professor Lecture in The Teachers College this afternoon (Thursday, April 27, 2023).

National Teachers Hall of Fame Names New Executive Director

Friday April 7, 2023 The Teachers College

The Board of Trustees of the National Teachers Hall of Fame has hired Dr. Ralph H. Draper as the new executive director. Dr. Draper has more than 30 years of experience in administrative functions that have required organizational, communicative, and interpersonal skills.

Dr. Clinton Longacre Honored with HPER Building Dedication

Friday April 7, 2023 The Teachers College

Dr. Clinton Longacre will be honored with an Emporia State Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Building Dedication at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 7. Longacre served 22 years in the ESU HPER Department and has contributed many years of valuable service to the recreation profession at the local, state and national level. During the dedication, Longacre's name will be added to a plaque on the building that honors HPER faculty who have served 20 or more years in the department.

Class of 2023 Kansas Master Teachers Announced

Tuesday February 21, 2023 The Teachers College

Representing 174 years of classroom experience, seven members of the class of 2023 Kansas Master Teachers were announced today (Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023).

ESU Alum Receives 'Oscar' of Teaching Profession

Sunday January 1, 2023 The Teachers College

When Kristine Becker entered the gymnasium of Logan Elementary School in North Topeka on Wednesday for a school assembly, she was wondering what good news she would hear.

SECOND GROUP OF STUDENTS SOUGHT IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES PROGRAM

Wednesday September 7, 2022 The Teachers College

People can have federal funding pay for their education if they are looking to train as vocational rehabilitation professionals who help individuals with disabilities prepare for and find meaningful work. In 2020, Emporia State University received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education/ Rehabilitation Services Administration to train vocational rehabilitation professionals whose goals are to help individuals with disabilities prepare for and find meaningful work. Through the grant, Emporia State’s counselor education department supports students with tuition, training, and professional development. The grant began in October 2020 and will run through September 30, 2025.

HALL OF FAME HONORS TEACHERS WITH WEEK OF ACTIVITIES

Monday June 13, 2022 National Teachers Hall of Fame

Exceptional educators will be honored this week as the National Teachers Hall of Fame inducts 10 new members. Two classes of five inductees each will be honored, the first in-person events after the COVID pandemic canceled the schedule in 2020.

Students to Learn What It Takes to be a Teacher

Wednesday June 1, 2022 The Teachers College

Kansas high school students will get to experience what it means to be a teacher at the Kansas Future Teacher Academy June 5 through 9. About 60 students from across the state will be meeting at the academy, held at Emporia State University. “The goal of the academy is to expose high school students in Kansas to the rewards of the teaching profession, and what the future of education will look like through our theme for 2022: Reimagine Education,” said Todd Roberts, KFTA director.

Faculty Member of The Teachers College Receives Mentor Award

Monday May 9, 2022 The Teachers College

Dr. Damara Paris recently received Emporia State’s Graduate Mentor Award. As the sole graduate advisor for 45 rehabilitation counseling graduate students, she works closely with them to ensure they are on track with graduation, enrolls them in their courses each semester and provides resources and support for individuals who are taking the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam, which represents the licensure for rehabilitation counseling professionals. In the past two years, the ESU graduate students have a 100% pass rate on the CRC for an examination that has an average of a national pass rate of 58% to 60%.

PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR TAPPED AS 2022 ROE R. CROSS DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

Thursday May 5, 2022 The Teachers College

A psychology professor with nearly three decades in the field is the 2022 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor at Emporia State University. Dr. John Wade was surprised with the announcement during his Psychology in the Real World undergraduate glass this morning (Thursday, May 5, 2022).

MENTORING, TEACHING TO BE TOPICS OF UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS

Thursday April 14, 2022 The Teachers College

Two King Endowed Professors are scheduled to speak April 21, 2022, at Emporia State University. Dr. Nancy Albrecht will address “Student-First Teaching: A Career of Kansas Leadership and International Impact,” and Dr. Cathy Grover will discuss “Mentoring: It is What We Do.” Their presentations will begin at 2 p.m. in Visser Hall, Room 330. People unable to attend in person can contact The Teachers College Dean’s office at ttcdean@emporia.edu for information on how to attend virtually or watch the recorded event.

EVENT & FUNDRAISER FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS TO BE HELD AT EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Tuesday April 12, 2022 Health & Human Performance

An annual event raising awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis awareness is coming up soon. Laps 4 Landon will be held Tuesday, April 19, starting at 6 p.m. at Emporia State University. Now in its 15th year, the event is planned, organized and run by Emporia State students majoring in health and human performance.

2022 CLASS OF KANSAS MASTER TEACHERS ANNOUNCED

Tuesday February 22, 2022 Kansas Master Teachers

Representing nearly 130 years of teaching experience, the seven members of the 2022 class of Kansas Master Teachers were announced today.

KANSAS TEACHERS EARN ACCOLADE DESPITE PANDEMIC

Thursday February 3, 2022 Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification

Doing the work required to become board certified in any profession is difficult. When the board certification demands you demonstrate your skill — like teaching in an elementary, middle, or high school classroom – and schooling during a pandemic makes it more difficult. However, 27 Kansas determined educators persevered and earned their first-time certification or maintained their status as National Board Certified Teachers.

ESU Alum Writes Guide to Art Therapy

Tuesday September 28, 2021 Art Therapy

What started as a project for class now is a book that can assist art therapists. “A Graphic Guide to Art Therapy,” written by Amy E. Huxtable, a 2019 graduate of the art therapy program at Emporia State University, was released September 21.

Hall of Fame Teachers Present Roundtable Discussion

Tuesday September 7, 2021 National Teachers Hall of Fame

Educators across America will be able to virtually attend a roundtable discussion involving 5 career teachers with a combined total of 150 years of classroom teaching on Sept. 14, The Big Day in the Extra Yard for Teachers Program.

PODCAST FOCUSES ON KEY TOPIC AND ADDS NEW SERIES

Tuesday September 7, 2021 Podcast

Just four months since it started, the How We Teach This podcast from The Teachers College at Emporia State is adding a second season and a second series. “In our first season, we interviewed K-12 teachers and university professors about a variety of subjects,” said Kristy Duggan, the host and executive producer of the podcast. “With what we’re seeing with the ongoing pandemic and the increased need to understand and address emotions students are dealing with, we are focusing the second season on social-emotional learning.” A second series will also be adding new episodes to the podcast this fall and be identified as How We Teach This: Higher Education Edition — Connecting with OER.

KMLC Receives Award, Gets State Proclamation, Plans for Literacy Week

Friday September 3, 2021 Literacy

An organization championing literacy in children is being recognized for its efforts. The Kansas Masonic Literacy Center is receiving a Literacy Legacy Award from Storytime Village, Inc. at a Read and Rise Breakfast Gala today (September 3) in Wichita. The honor comes as KMLC was cited in a proclamation from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, declaring September 5-11 as Kansas Literacy Week. As part of Kansas Literacy Week, KMLC will have its annual photo contest during Kansas Literacy Week, September 5-11.

EXPERT ON POVERTY AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENT LEARNING TO SPEAK

Wednesday July 28, 2021 The Teachers College

How to help children learn in spite of emotional turmoil they are experiencing or have experienced is the goal of an upcoming conference at Emporia State University. To help with that mission, nationally known speaker and author, Dr. Ruby K. Payne, will be delivering the keynote at the Second Annual Trauma-Informed Educators Conference to be held Saturday, Aug. 28 in the Memorial Union at ESU. Payne, author of “Emotional Poverty and A Framework for Understanding Poverty,” is a former high school teacher, district administrator, and elementary principal.

HALL OF FAME TEACHER RETURNS TO EMPORIA FOR BOOK LAUNCH

Monday June 28, 2021 The Teachers College

Christopher Albrecht, a 2019 inductee into The National Teachers Hall of Fame, will return to Emporia on July 12 and 13 for a national launch of his second book “The Rediscovery of Hope and Purpose.”

Jones Trust Provides Grant to Extend and Expand Mobilizing Literacy Programs

Wednesday June 23, 2021 The Teachers College

A recent commitment from the W.S. & E.C. Jones Trust for $2.5 million to the Mobilizing Literacy grant program will continue and expand upon literacy initiatives benefitting children within the region. Over the next five years, this grant, coordinated by Emporia State’s Kansas Masonic Literacy Center, will expand efforts to improve grade-level reading attainment for the 11 participating school districts within the tri-county region of Coffey, Lyon and Osage counties.

Emporia State Drops Mask Mandate, Other COVID Protocols

Monday June 7, 2021 COVID

Requirements to wear masks, social distance and disinfect classrooms and offices ended today at Emporia State University. In a communication to all faculty, staff and students, ESU President Allison D. Garrett shared that campus is officially back to normal.

ESU Offers New Online Program Focused on Dyslexia

Wednesday May 19, 2021 The Teachers College

A new program aimed to help teachers who have students struggling with dyslexia is available through Emporia State University. Every component of the program - except practicum experiences - are offered online. People can take the courses as part of a master's degree of instructional specialist with a concentration in dyslexia or as a stand-alone graduate certificate.

Professor of School Leadership Named Endowed Professor

Wednesday May 12, 2021 The Teachers College

Dr. Nancy Albrecht will be the 2021-22 King Endowed Professor in The Teachers College at Emporia State University. She is a professor in the school leadership / middle and secondary teacher education department at Emporia State. “I’m flabbergasted! I have no words,” said Albrecht, who was surprised during a department Zoom meeting where Dr. Joan Brewer, dean of The Teachers College, announced the news on May 12. Albrecht, who joined the ESU faculty in 2001, teaches graduate students in school leadership and curriculum instruction.

THE TEACHERS COLLEGE HONORS STUDENTS THROUGH END-OF-YEAR ONLINE CEREMONY

Friday May 7, 2021 The Teachers College Student Honors, Faculty Retirements

Just over 100 people were recognized at The Teachers College Annual Honors Event held the afternoon of May 7 via an online virtual event. Of those honored, 94 are graduating students, and eight are retiring members of the college.

KANSAS GOVERNOR HONORS EDUCATORS FOR TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Monday May 3, 2021 Kansas Master Teacher Program

Teachers across Kansas are being recognized for the efforts they have made during the COVID-19 pandemic by Gov. Laura Kelly. May 3-8, 2021, will be recognized as Teacher Appreciation Week in a proclamation signed by the governor. “All teachers and other school personnel are hereby recognized by the Kansas Master Teacher program for their steadfast dedication and devotion to ensure the continuous learning of Kansas youth throughout the pandemic,” states the proclamation.

KANSAS MASTER TEACHER PROGRAM RECOGNIZES ALL KANSAS TEACHERS

Monday April 19, 2021 Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Kansas Master Teacher program is recognizing all educators

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Kansas Master Teacher program is recognizing all educators of Kansas this year. “This past year has been challenging for everyone, especially those on the frontline. This includes our K-12 teachers,” said Dr. Joan Brewer, dean of The Teachers College at Emporia State University, home of the Kansas Master Teacher program. “In honor of their steadfast dedication to educating Kansas youth, the Kansas Master Teacher acknowledges all Kansas teachers.”

THE TEACHERS COLLEGE LAUNCHES FIRST ESU PODCAST: HOW WE TEACH THIS

Wednesday April 14, 2021 The Teachers College Podcast

The Teachers College at Emporia State is launching the university’s first podcast this week. How We Teach This, produced by members of The Teacher College, will feature one-on-one interviews to provide insight into education. The podcast is available through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other listening apps on which podcasts are available, as well as from its web site, www.emporia.edu/HWTT.

MORE KANSAS TEACHERS ACHIEVE NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN SPITE OF PANDEMIC

Thursday April 8, 2021 The Teachers College Professional Development

Doing the work required to become board certified in any profession is difficult. When the board certification demands you demonstrate your skill – like teaching in a elementary, middle, or high school classroom – and schooling goes mostly online makes it extremely difficult. However, three more determined Kansas educators persevered and earned their first-time certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and one other teacher successfully worked to renew her certification.