Dr. Ken Weaver is the new interim executive director of The National Teachers Hall of Fame. The announcement came this afternoon during a news conference in Visser Hall on the Emporia State University campus.
The NTHF Board of Trustees asked Weaver to step in until a new executive director is selected.
Weaver will assume duties on July 1, when current Executive Director Carol Strickland retires after 9.5 years at the helm. Weaver’s contract runs through December 2022, but could be renewed if needed. Strickland has been asked to remain as a consultant to assure a smooth transition and to aid in projects as needed. A national search will continue until the right candidate has been found for the full-time position.
Weaver is a long-time Emporian with ties to the community as well as to Emporia State University. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in rural public health education in the Philippines and taught seventh and eighth grade science for five years in his hometown in South Carolina. After completing his Ph.D. in educational psychology from Columbia University, he joined the faculty of Emporia State University in 1986.
Over the years, he has served as director of the Honors program, department chair and dean of The Teachers College. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and co-chaired the Kansas Commissioner of Education’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Teacher Vacancies and Supply in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, Weaver chaired the Board of Trustees for the National Teachers Hall of Fame.
While he is familiar with the mission and vision of the organization, he will now be in charge of the daily operations of the office, fundraising, event planning, making presentations and attending conferences to promote the Hall of Fame.
“Being named the interim executive director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame is very special for me because the Hall of Fame is more important now than ever for being a beacon honoring career teachers and elevating the importance of career teachers to our states and nation,” Weaver said. “Carol Strickland, herself a member of the NTHF, is recognized nationally for her strong, steadfast and dynamic leadership so I have huge shoes to fill. Equally passionate and caring about the National Teachers Hall of Fame is the Board of Trustees led by Dr. Jackie Vietti as chair to whom I will report. The trustees bring a wealth of backgrounds from throughout the nation to the leadership of the Hall of Fame.”
Board Chair Vietti expressed her gratitude to Weaver for stepping in.
“When faced with the idea of an interim director to lead us to the point of finding our new Executive Director, Ken Weaver was a perfect choice for our board,” she said. “He is knowledgeable, passionate about education and the Hall, and he will help us to continue our growth and national visibility. We are grateful that he said yes and accepted the challenge.”
His enthusiasm for his new position is evident in his words.
“There is only one National Teachers Hall of Fame in the nation and only one national memorial in Kansas, and both are located in Teacher Town, USA.”
Becoming a member of the NTHF is distinct from all other local, state, and national honors because a teacher must complete 20 years of teaching before being nominated.
He added, “The National Memorial to Fallen Educators is hallowed space and provides comfort to families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.”
All are invited to tour the Hall of Fame museum and visit the national memorial, both on the campus of Emporia State University.
Although Weaver will not officially assume duties until July, he will participate in the induction activities in Washington D.C., May 9 through 14 and here in Emporia, June 13 through17.