The National Teachers Hall of Fame has two big announcements Tuesday.
First is the annual induction class:
*Margaret “Peg” Cagle, high school mathematics teacher at Reseda Charter Middle/High School and Science Magnet School in Reseda, California.
*Dr. Melyssa Ferro, middle school science teacher at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell, Idaho.
*Theresa Maughan, high school social studies teacher at East Orange STEM Academy in East Orange, New Jersey.
*Carla Neely, middle school science and social studies teacher at the Andrew J. Rickoff School in Cleveland, Ohio.
*Dr. Michael Anthony Pope, middle school math, science and gifted teacher for the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity in Japan.
Hall of Fame Director Maddie Fennell tells KVOE News the number of candidates was well above prior records, making for an “excruciating” set of choices for this year.
Fennell says the level of quality for the inductees demonstrates the level of quality for teachers as a whole.
The inductees and seven other finalists — Veena Srinivas Black from Georgia; Peggy Brookins from Ohio; Dr. Dolores Cormier-Zenon of Louisiana; Arlinda Davis from Alabama; Khamphet “Phet” Pease of California; Marilyn Pryle of Pennsylvania; and
Dr. Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa from Florida — will be part of the Hall of Fame’s Education Summit at Walt Disney World this summer.
Meanwhile, the Hall’s 12 for 12 fundraising campaign adding to the National Memorial to Fallen Educators went extremely well — going above the $25,000 goal before a major estate gift.
Fennell says this is important for the memorial space for two reasons.
The memorial currently has three black granite books inscribed with the names of teachers, administrators and support staffers killed in the line of duty throughout our nation’s history. With nearly 190 names already inscribed, the current books are full.
More information about the induction activities and National Memorial to Fallen Educators is online at nthf.org.
Educators to be honored through National Teachers Hall of Fame 12 for 12 campaign
*Annie Louise Keller, 25, teacher at Centerville Country School (IL), killed by tornado debris on April 19, 1927.
*Diane Peterson, 26, English teacher at Branham High School (CA), killed in a stabbing at school on June 16,1978.
*Christopher J. Trakimas, 61, boiler mechanic, Philadelphia School District (PA), died May 18, 2016, after a workplace explosion.
*Nohema Graber, 66, Spanish teacher, Fairfield High School (IA), killed by two students on Nov. 2, 2021.
*Dan Marburger, 56, Principal at Perry High School (IA), killed from a school shooting on January 14, 2024.
*Ryan Lantz, 52, journalism teacher at Liberty High School (WV), died from a traffic accident in a school parking lot on February 20, 2024
*Kevin Garrison, 56, maintenance supervisor, Elkhorn Public Schools (NE), died Sept. 4, 2024, in a construction incident.
*Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 52, both math teachers at Apalachee High School (GA), killed in a school shooting on Sept. 4, 2024. *Leah Seneng, 60, art teacher, Bryant Middle School (CA), died Nov. 22, 2024, from a rabid bat bite sustained on school property.
*Erin M. West, 42, teacher, Abundant Life Christian School (WI), died in a school shooting on Dec. 16, 2024.
*Carol Mendiola Mooers, 48, school counselor in Unalakleet, AK was killed in a commuter plane crash while traveling to Nome to pick up students for college tours on February 6, 2025.
