The best of the best in education are here in Emporia this week, although you wouldn’t know it by hearing them talk about themselves.
One of the highlights of the National Teachers Hall of Fame induction process is the annual long-form interview on KVOE’s airwaves, which took place Wednesday on KVOE’s On-Air Chat. Shelly Moore Krajacic, a high school English language arts teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, says she represents educators across the country.
Fellow inductee Joel Truesdell, a retired high school chemistry teacher in Hilo, Hawaii, says he used the approach from his favorite teacher to connect with his students.
The Education Support Professional of the Year, paraeducator Jen Bramson of Park City, Utah, helps with preschool and kindergarten students. She says being honored is an incredible experience and a “fantastic opportunity” to raise awareness about education.
Education has seen a lot of changes over the past 20-40 years, and the National Teachers Hall of Fame induction class of 2024 offered perspectives during the program.
Inductee Terry Kaldhusdal, a middle school history teacher from Dousman, Wisconsin, started as a journalist before getting into the classroom.
Keith Ballard, a middle school music teacher from San Diego, California, says the American education system doesn’t run like the countries listed as being the best for education. He says education here can use a greater emphasis on career and technical education, as well as a bigger focus on teacher quality.
Keishia Thorpe is a former English success coach who is now an assistant principal in Springdale, Maryland. She is also the 2021 winner of the Global Teacher Prize. As an immigrant from Jamaica, Thorpe says the increase in student diversity — along with related challenges and opportunities — is evident to her.
Thursday’s schedule includes a roundtable and separate podcast at Emporia State’s Visser Hall before the ice cream social and Emporia Municipal Band concert at Fremont Park. Induction activities culminate with a full day Friday, including the rededication of the National Memorial to Fallen Educators at 10 am — which you can hear on KVOE and watch online at KVOE.com/TV — as well as a photo shoot and the official banquet and induction ceremony beginning at 5:30 pm at Emporia State’s Memorial Union Webb Hall.
