Traditionally, the month of June sees the National Teacher’s Hall of Fame in full preparation mode for the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony, however, that won’t be the case this year.
After having to postpone all activities last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and even with coronavirus impacts easing locally, Hall of Fame Director Carol Strickland says they are still continuing to err on the side of caution when it comes to induction for the class of 2020. During a visit on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Friday, Strickland announced that the Hall of Fame has pushed the annual ceremony to the fall.
Strickland is hopeful they will be able to have the full slate of traditional activities in Emporia, although, she says they will adjust as needed based on local trends and the availability of their inductees. Due to the pandemic’s postponement of last year’s class announcement and induction ceremonies, there will be no 2021 Hall of Fame class as Strickland has said they want to give their 2020 inductees their “full time in the spotlight.”
This year’s inductees for the Hall of Fame include:
Andrew Beiter of Springville, NY, who has spent 25 years in education and currently teaches eighth-grade social studies at Springville Middle School.
Thomas Knaab a K-4 Visual Arts Teacher from East Amherst, NY who has been teaching for 31 years.
Melissa Collins a second-grade teacher from Memphis Tennessee who has spent the past 21 years in education.
Donna Gradel a retired 10th through 12th-grade Environmental Science Teacher from Broken Arrow, OK, who taught for 33 years before her retirement.
Jamil Siddiqui a 9th to 12th-grade mathematics teacher in East Bridgewater, MA who has spent 26 years in education.
Speaking of inductees, Strickland also announced that 2019 class member Christopher Albrecht will be returning to the Emporia community next month for a special occassion. Albrecht will be in Emporia for the launch of his new book titled The Rediscovery of Hope and Promise.
Albrecht will be in Emporia Jul. 12-13. For more information on the Hall of Fame or this year’s induction activities contact the Hall of Fame by calling 620-341-5660.
