Friday morning while waiting for an appointment I tuned my phone to KVOE’s app hoping to listen to some of the Fallen Educator’s Re-Dedication. I was fortunate to hear two talks – Emporia Mayor Susan Brinkman’s and our State Representative Mark Schreiber’s.
Guessing you are surprised I’m talking about those speeches, but hopefully, I can make you understand as you see they both blew me away!
Mayor Brinkman’s talk was full of sincerity. She didn’t talk long but hit the perfect level of Emporia pride, a solid message, and a heartfelt challenge for all of us to do better in protecting teachers and students.
Schreiber spoke longer and surprised me with his text because it was not what you’d expect from an elected state official’s welcoming message. His theme was the word “purpose.” Mark used several examples from victims whose names are already on the plaques like a bus driver who gave his life to protect students and a teacher who unlocked a door at their own peril again saving children. His message was crystal clear.
Unfortunately, I had to drop off before hearing the others, but our KVOE news reports tell me they were equally impressive.
Finally, I retreat to KVOE’s Talk of Emporia on Wednesday with Chuck hosting all five inductees. The question for each guest was to describe how you learned that you had indeed been selected for the Teacher’s Hall of Fame?
Each story was unique yet somewhat the same with stories of school assemblies called suddenly for an emergency faculty meetings etc.
One such story was being recalled by one of the ladies and she explained she knew something was up because it was a strange group assembled, but she was stumped until someone said EMPORIA.
“Oh my goodness,” she said on KVOE – the tears just flushed forward because when they said Emporia I knew what was happening and I was amazed!
I was in my car and admit I had an emotional moment when this lady’s story about how EMPORIA was evidently synonymous with TEACHER’s HALL of FAME. I was blown away thinking we’ve arrived!
All the hard work of so many for so long was thanked in that single statement – people like Dave Eldridge and Carol Strickland and yikes I better stop the names because there are so many that need to be mentioned.
Bottom line: After decades of dedication and hard work Emporia is definitely TEACHER TOWN and efforts like the short but sincere talks by our public servants should be recognized for their effect. Thanks to all!
Something to Think About from a Proud Emporian! I’m Steve Sauder
