Emporia, Kansas, turns into Teacher Town, USA, in late June to honor the five career educators selected for the National Teachers Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. This is the 34th year for the NTHF induction ceremonies.
The inductees arrive in Emporia on Monday, June 15, for a full week of activities that culminate Saturday, June 20, with the banquet and induction. Several events during the week are open to the public.
The banquet and induction ceremony in Webb Hall in Emporia State’s Memorial Union, 1333 Market St., are free to attend, but reservations are required. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. The induction ceremonies begin at 7:15 p.m. To reserve a seat, please call (620) 341-5660.
The five members of the Class of 2026 are:
- Margaret “Peg” Cagle, high school mathematics teacher at Reseda Charter Middle/High School and Science Magnet School in Reseda, California. Across 26 years, she has designed her classroom to serve as both a mirror and a window, reflecting students’ cultures and experiences while expanding their sense of who belongs in math. Among her many accolades is the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
- Dr. Melyssa Ferro, middle school science teacher at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell, Idaho. Guided by the principle “Fail Forward,” she has spent 25 years building a classroom where risk-taking and growth help students become scientists. She has earned the NEA Foundation’s Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence among her many honors.
- Theresa Maughan, high school social studies teacher at East Orange STEM Academy in East Orange, New Jersey. In 44 years, she has made her classrooms spaces of agency and belonging through programs like National History Day, and among her many honors, she was named New Jersey State Teacher of the Year in 2022.
- Carla Neely, middle school science and social studies teacher at the Andrew J. Rickoff School in Cleveland, Ohio. Over 26 years, she has placed student mental, emotional, and physical health at the center of learning and equity, work that has brought her many honors, including recognition as a 2024 Global Teacher Prize Finalist.
- Dr. Michael Anthony Pope, middle school math, science and gifted teacher for the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity in Japan. Across 26 years, he has built a classroom rooted in equity, collaboration, and high expectations, and among his many honors and advocacy roles, he has served as a U.S. representative to the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit.
Joining the inductees for the celebration week will be Ric Calhoun, the 2026 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year, who is on staff at the Northshore School District in the state of Washington. A campus supervisor, football coach, and union leader, Calhoun began his career as a paraeducator and has become a national advocate for education support professionals, including leading efforts to expand Unified Sports under the Special Olympics umbrella to bring together students with and without disabilities.
Other activities during induction week that are open to the public are:
- Emporia Trivia Challenge. Inductees and Emporia teams compete. Visser Hall on the Emporia State University campus, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.
- Ice cream social and Municipal Band concert. Fremont Park, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18.
- Rededication of the National Memorial to Fallen Educators. Visser Hall, ESU campus, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20.
“Each of these educators has spent a career changing what students believe is possible for themselves,” said Maddie Fennell, executive director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame. “We are honored to welcome them, and to celebrate the support professionals who make great teaching possible.”
About the National Teachers Hall of Fame
Founded in 1989, the National Teachers Hall of Fame honors exceptional career teachers, encourages excellence in teaching, and preserves the rich heritage of the teaching profession in the United States. It is also the sponsoring organization of the National Memorial to Fallen Educators. Learn more at www.nthf.org.