The 2019 induction class of the National Teachers Hall of Fame spent an hour at the KVOE studios Wednesday.
The annual Talk of Emporia program featuring the honorees jumped into a range of topics, from the formal induction announcements to why the teachers got into education and what keeps them teaching. Dyane Smokorowski from Andover has been teaching 21 years, and she was surprised when the announcement began during her district’s board meeting. She also says the induction validates her approach when it comes to education.
Mary Martin of Riviera Beach, Florida, has been in a classroom for 49 years. She says class topics may change, but the basics of teaching are the same as they were when she started.
Richard Knoeppel of Las Vegas, Nevada, says he became drawn to education as a calling over time.
Inductees also discussed just how education has changed since they got into teaching. Bosso says one of the big changes has been in society’s expectations for students.
One of the Hall of Fame’s stated goals over the past decade is having the inductees serve as unofficial ambassadors for education. Albrecht says inductees have an opportunity to remind people about the importance and worth of education.
Wednesday’s Talk of Emporia led into a special roundtable discussion at Visser Hall.
Following the roundtable, inductees were a part of the formal welcome dinner at Emporia State’s Sauder Alumni Center before going to the Lyon County History Center for the first Wine, Cheese and Trivia Night. The trivia was divided into five categories with 25 questions overall. The inductees formed their own team and ended up winning it all. Lisa Soller, Deputy Director of the History Center, was glad to partner with the Hall of Fame and to be included in its schedule of events.
Thursday’s schedule includes the Children’s Concert by the Emporia Municipal Band at 8 pm at Fremont Park.
Find the audio from Wednesday’s Talk of Emporia in the KVOE.com Audio Vault.
