Jeline Harclerode received the 2009 Emporia Master Teacher Award this morning in a surprise ceremony held before classes began at Emporia Middle School.
Glenda Priest, the 2008 master teacher for the district, announced the award, which opens American Education Week here.
Priest began the presentation with a biography of the then-anonymous winner, working her way through the winner’s attitude toward teaching, educational background, professional service and a bit of work in the community.
At that point, Harclerode recognized herself and gasped. She realized she was the only person there who sits on the board of directors for the federal credit union.
“It brought tears to my eyes,” Harclerode said after the ceremony. “The people who have got it before me were people I admired ... I was sincere when I said I wished every teacher could have the award because they’re working so hard.”
Harclerode’s family, including her husband John, also a teacher, walked into view as she got the award.
“My mother was at home in bed,” Harclerode said, after giving her mother a hug.
“She may have been home in bed, but she was dressed,” her husband responded.
Harclerode said she felt guilty being in the spotlight when the rest of her co-workers were not.
“I see all of you ... you’re the ones who are here every day, keeping me going,” she said. “I’d like to share the award with everyone in the room because you deserve it.”
Harclerode has taught in Emporia public schools her entire career in education. She received a bachelor of science degree in education from Baker university and a master of science degree in educable and trainable mentally retarded from Emporia State University.
“Although the mandate is quite controversial, I truly believe in the concept of ‘No Child Left Behind,’” Harclerode wrote in an essay about her philosophy of teaching. “It is what compels me to continue teaching in the middle school setting.
“I truly believe all children (yes, EVEN middle school adolescents) can learn and progress; it is up to us as teachers to help make that happen — even when our clients are not always receptive. I find my biggest satisfaction in the students who present the biggest challenges.”
She said she has found that developing relationships is the best way to help and motivate students.
“(S)ome students seem to be silently ‘crying out’ for the attention and support of an adult,” she wrote. “As educators we may never have the satisfaction of knowing we made a difference in a child’s life, but we are able to confidently continue in our profession knowing we are doing everything humanly possible to help each and every child become a successful adult.”
Harclerode began teaching at Emporia High School in 1974 as a special education teacher for the trainable mentally retarded. She coordinated Special Olympics teams for EHS students and initiated a variety of educational projects for them, including a work-training program within the school, physical education and music programs, camping experience, and setting up student bank accounts at a local bank.
After 11 years off to be a stay-at-home mother, she returned as a substitute teacher for three years, then taught fourth and fifth grades at Village Elementary School, and fifth grade at Lowther South Intermediate School.
She has taught in the “Connect” program at EMS since 1996. During that time, she has served on the District Strategic Planning Committee, the District MAP Leadership Team, the Multi-Tiered System of Supports team and on the committee to develop a new schedule for EMS.
She has designed and maintained the school/team Web site, has presented technology and computer repair inservice classes and has been a trainer for PowerGrade 2006 program. She also taught “Safety on the Internet” classes for parents.
Outside public education, Harclerode serves as Sunday school teacher, pianist and organist for the First United Methodist Church, where she also has been director of Vacation Bible school and worked on a variety of church-related committees.
She has been building captain for the Lyon County Relay for Life for 10 years, was a volunteer for the Peter Pan Park Playground building, Habitat for Humanity and has been a Cub Scout pack leader.
Harclerode is a member of the Emporia National Education Association and has held a variety of ENEA offices. She represented the local unit three times as a delegate to National Education Association annual conventions.
She also is a member of the Kansas National Education Association, the International Society for Technology Education, the National Middle School Association, and the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science.
native_emporia (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to Jeline Harclerode, she is very deserving of this award. She has a true heart for children and education. As a parent, she is the type of teacher I want for all my children to have.
Thank you Jeline, for your years of service to the children of this district
November 14, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )