A solemn space was observed inside Emporia State University’s Visser Hall on Friday as the National Teachers Hall of Fame held its annual rededication ceremonies for the National Memorial to Fallen Educators.
This year, nine people were honored, most from recent incidents and one from an incident almost 100 years ago.
*Annie Louise Keller, 25, teacher at Centerville (Illinois) Country School, killed by tornado debris on April 19, 1927.
*Christopher J. Trakimas, 61, boiler mechanic, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) School District, died May 18, 2016, after a workplace explosion.
*Nohema Graber, 66, Spanish teacher, Fairfield (Iowa) High School, killed Nov. 2, 2021.
*Kevin Garrison, 56, maintenance supervisor, Elkhorn (Nebraska) Public Schools, died Sept. 4, 2024, in a construction incident.
*Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 52, both math teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, killed in a school shooting on Sept. 4, 2024.
*Leah Seneng, 60, art teacher, Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, California, died Nov. 22, 2024, from a rabid bat bite sustained on school property.
*Erin M. West, 42, teacher, Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, died in a school shooting on Dec. 16, 2024.
*Carol L. Mendiola-Mooers, 48, school counselor, Bering Strait (Alaska) School District, died in a Feb. 7, 2025, plane crash en route to visit with students.
The memorial was established in 2013 after the Sandy Hook school shooting. One hundred eighty-nine names have been engraved, and fundraising is underway to buy, engrave and install a fourth tablet. Currently, $30,000 is in hand or pledged with a goal of $50,000.
The annual induction banquet begins at 6 pm at Emporia State’s Memorial Union Webb Hall.
