USD 253 Emporia School administrators and district leadership convened twice over the past week to share a pair of welcomed surprises with two Emporia educators.
The most recent announcement came Wednesday morning during a staff meeting in the Emporia Middle School library. During that time, EMS seventh grade science teacher Abbey Wiggins learned she had been named as the district’s elementary nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year.
While speaking with KVOE News, Wiggins shared that one of her personal philosophies in education is that teachers should also be lifelong learners. She says this is an important trait to ensure they are always providing their students with the best quality education to help prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
Wiggins has been with the district for the past three years and is in her seventh overall year of education. She says hearing she was the district’s elementary nominee was a bit of a shock as she did not expect such an honor so early into her career.
A week before Wednesday’s surprise, another educator in the district, Village Elementary School PE teacher Andy Battenfield, received a surprise of his own. Battenfield was recognized as the district’s Master Teacher and Kansas Master Teacher Nominee during a special school assembly.
Battenfield says he “didn’t see that coming.”
Battenfield has spent the past 19-years in education and says while he is honored by the nomination, he is more proud to know that he is making a meaningful impact on his students.
In addition to these honors, USD 253 will also be naming a secondary education nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Word on when that nomination will be announced is currently pending.
