TUESDAY, the Hopkins Foundation put smiles on the faces of 10 teachers and five support-staff members of the Emporia school district. The 15 shared in cash gifts totaling $30,500.
The following people were recognized for making a difference in children’s lives and going the extra mile:
Star Performer awards to teachers and counselors:
- $5,000 — Robbie Hill, student support specialist, William Allen White School; Joni Black, interrelated special education, Lowther North Intermediate School; and Jan Spade, art teacher, Emporia High School.
- $2,500 — Stefanie Baker, first-grade teacher, WAW; Janine Dorr, Connections program, Emporia Middle School; and Laura Schwinn, English teacher, EHS.
- $1,000 — Michelle Sheldon, student support specialist, Riverside School; Jill Fornelli and Ginger Robert, instructional coaches, EMS; and Susan Livingston, interrelated special education at Emporia High School.
WOW awards to members of the support staff:
F $1,000 — Kelli Woodworth, teacher aide, EMS; Alice Aman, paraeducator, EHS Linda Dieker, bus driver, transportation department; Anita O’Dell, secretary, Lowther North Intermediate School; and Nelda Swan, Health Office Assistant, LNIS and Lowther South Intermediate School.
Teachers often use some of their own money to buy supplies to make their classrooms a success, so it is nice to see an organization giving money back to those who are making a difference.
The Emporia School district has more than 465 teachers. Unfortunately, the Hopkins foundation only received 43 nominations this year.
We know Emporia has many outstanding teachers and we hope next year students and parents will overflow the nomination boxes.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the Hopkins family for creating and continuing this important program.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher
Comments
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Posted by cdl84 (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not to take away ANYTHING from the people who won the Hopkins awards (I am sure they are all deserving) I noticed that only ONE elementary classroom teacher received an award! Why? How can you justify dividing 3 awards between 6 elementary schools when the high school gets 3 awards every year? I know that many, many deserving teachers were nominated! It's disheartening!!!
Posted by admireed (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a shame to damper the outstanding thing the Hopkins Foundation is doing
Posted by Absolute (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree admireed! Thanks to the foundation for what they have done!
Posted by Kstrebuchet (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Kstrebuchet (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not sure why my comment was removed SO, I will restate it. Anyone who complains about what the Hopkins foundation has done here, Must be a teacher who didnt win an award or the spouse of a teacher who didnt win an award.
There, is that better gazette?
Posted by rcakmon (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The issue of the number of upper grade awards vs. elementary awards has been voiced before. I'm sure each year there are those that nominate someone and are sad when they do not win. I am not a teacher (or spouse) and I am disappointed the person I nominated did not win. That does not mean the people who won are less deserving. I think the comment from Kstrebuchet is offensive to teachers. That could have been posted by a parent or community member not related to USD 253 staff.
Posted by Kstrebuchet (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My comment is based on the Fact that I personally Know of one teacher who had all their students nominate them so they could win. And they did, this was not this year but in the past. Most Teachers deserve an award in my book for all their efforts,time and commitment to making students lives better. You are correct, a certain post Could have been by a parent or community member not related to USD 253 staff, on the otherhand it could have also been posted by a teacher who felt shorted in some way. I am sorry you felt my comment offensive to teachers, you are entitled to your opinion same as I am. The Hopkins foundation does not need to "justify" why they picked who they did to anyone, it's thier money!
So I take offence that someone has the gall to question how they give their money away.
Posted by rcakmon (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Many teachers are nominated by their whole class and they don't win. I have had the pleasure of nominating several past winners. To help the committee really know the teacher we asked students, parents, co-workers, and administrators to write letters. It seemed to work. If you know of a deserving teacher, keep trying! They will appreciate your support.
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