Five teachers Great Bend were recently recognized for their outstanding work promoting literacy skills across USD 428.
As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, the Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR) honored a teacher at each of its 58 partner schools across the state. The KRR Outstanding Early Literacy Teacher award recognizes teachers who contribute significantly to early literacy efforts at their school. USD 428’s honorees included Rachel Clawson, Eisenhower Elementary; Jami Reed, Jefferson Elementary; Meredith Ramsey, Lincoln Elementary; Carolyn Oetken, Park Elementary; and Tandi Mai, Riley Elementary.
KRR asked schools to nominate a teacher who has played a critical role in the school to help students succeed in reading. The 58 nominees were honored by KRR within their respective schools during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Those 58 nominees will be considered by KRR for the statewide Outstanding Early Literacy Teacher of the Year honor, to be awarded at the organization’s state conference in August.
“The Reading Roadmap works with teachers both during and after school,” said Andrew Hysell, KRR director. “Teachers are essential to helping children read to their fullest capability. Kansas has great teachers, and we want to honor them for the work they do to promote literacy. Teachers are truly the heart of the educational process.”
Since 2013, KRR has worked with elementary schools and Boys & Girls Clubs across the state, aligning afterschool, summer and family engagement programs with school data. KRR seeks to ensure all students read at grade level upon entering the fourth grade. KRR is a partnership between local schools, the Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN), and the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In all, there are 33 teachers/tutors working with students across USD 428 through the KRR program.
Photo Caption:
Recognizing teachers who contribute significantly to early literacy at their schools, USD 428 administration congratulated five Outstanding Early Literacy Champions in conjunction with National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10. Pictured from left to right, from Riley Elementary, JoAnn Blevins, principal; Tandi Mai, KRR honoree; and Fernando Cartagena, KRR coordinator. From Lincoln Elementary, Trish Bailey, KRR coordinator; Meredith Ramsey, KRR honoree; and Mistry Straub, principal. From Park Elementary, Cristina Ingram, KRR coordinator; Phil Heeke, principal; Carolyn Oetken, KRR honoree; and Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. From Jefferson Elementary, Emma Goad, KRR coordinator, Kip Wilson, principal, and Jami Reed, KRR honoree. From Eisenhower Elementary, Cindy Sandy, KRR coordinator, Laurie Harwood, principal, and Rachel Clawson, KRR honoree.
