The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

• Headlines
• Sports
• Forums
• Weather
• Classifieds

• Help
• Log in
• Home

• E-mail story
• Post a comment
• iPod friendly version

Emporia School District  Two Emporia teachers learned today they have been nominated for Kansas Teacher of the Year.

Joni Black, an interrelated special education teacher at Lowther North Intermediate School, is Emporia’s elementary nominee for the state award. Jeline Harclerode, eighth-grade Connect teacher at Emporia Middle School, is the secondary nominee. They were nominated by teachers and selected by a committee of the Emporia National Education Association.

The Kansas Teacher of the Year Program recognizes excellent teachers who serve as leaders in the profession across the state. Each district may nominate one elementary and one secondary teacher. Nominees are full-time classroom teachers who have completed at least five years in the classroom.

Black is a graduate of Emporia State University and has taught special education in Emporia since starting her career in 1979, except for a two-year period when she worked in Augusta. She first taught at the high school before moving to Lowther Junior High. She remained at the sixth grade when it became an intermediate school, and she has been instrumental in developing the Lifeskills program at that level.

 “My number-one goal for students is to be as independent and responsible as possible when they reach adulthood. Therefore the focus of my Lifeskills program is to enhance academic achievement while participating in survival skills activities,” she wrote.

When making the surprise announcement this morning, Lowther North Principal Wade Redeker described her as a “caring, concerned advocate for students.”

“You devote your time and efforts to some of the district’s highest-need students. You make a real difference in the lives of children,” he said.

Harclerode also was formally notified today of her nomination for the KTOY Award. She is the 2009 Emporia Master Teacher and was recently named a Kansas Master Teacher. She has taught in Emporia since starting her education career in 1974. She currently teaches Connect, a curriculum and technology integration course. She also has taught at Lowther South Intermediate, Village Elementary and Emporia High schools.

Harclerode is a graduate of Baker University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and a graduate of ESU, where she received a master’s degree in special education. At EMS, she is an eighth-grade team leader and serves on various school committees.

Finalists for the 2010 Kansas Teacher of the Year will be announced in September in each of the state’s four Congressional districts. The state award will be announced in November in Wichita. All nominees become part of a network of educators who work together to improve their skills and advocate for public education in Kansas.