Emporia State University students and faculty will learn from experts when the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year team visits campus on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Taylor Bussinger, who teaches eighth grade U.S. History and Leadership Concepts at Prairie Trail Middle School in Olathe, USD 233, is the Kansas Teacher of the Year.
The other regional teachers of the year are:
- Cherryl Delacruz, honors algebra high school teacher for Highland Park High School, Topeka USD 501
- Gretchen Elliott, art teacher for Smoky Valley High School, Smoky Valley USD 400
- Joanna Farmer, high school teacher for Southeast High School in Wichita USD 259
- Melissa Haney, K-4 Project Lead the Way science teacher at Explorer Elementary School in Goddard USD 265
- Erin Pittenger, K-4 art teacher at St. George Elementary School in Rock Creek USD 323
- Michelle Tapko, sixth-grade teacher in Shawnee Mission USD 512
- Fonda Telthorst, music teacher at Piper Prairie Elementary School, Kansas City USD 203
During their day at Emporia State, the team will present to students and faculty at 9:30 and 11 a.m. in Visser Hall 330. The theme this year is “Find Your Joy.” The teachers also will tour the National Teachers Hall of Fame and will record an episode of The Teachers College’s podcast, “How We Teach This.” The media will have an opportunity to speak to the educators at 12:15 p.m. in Visser Hall 330.
“It is an honor to have the Kansas Teachers of the Year visit Emporia State University each year,” said Sara Schwerdtfeger, interim dean of The Teachers College. “Students, faculty, and staff are inspired by the KTOY’s passion for teaching and learning. Our preservice teachers see a snapshot of education across Kansas through the eyes of the KTOY team.”
The Kansas Teacher of the Year program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, identifies, recognizes and uses representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. Throughout their award year, the Kansas Teacher of the Year and state finalists serve as ambassadors for education in Kansas by making public appearances across the state.