LAWRENCE — The School of Education at the University of Kansas is honoring more than 650 teachers from 115 school districts with 25 or more years of service to education, mostly in Kansas schools.

"Teachers are a powerful force in students’ lives," said Rick Ginsberg, dean of the School of Education. "Our country and state rely on the good work of teachers to support the development of our children. Our state and nation’s future depends on the work that teachers do. Those teachers who dedicated their careers to helping students learn deserve everyone’s recognition and support. We are pleased to be able to offer this small token of our appreciation for all the hard work and effort teachers give to our state’s youth."

Four teachers have 40 or more years of service in Kansas. Two are from USD 260 in Derby: C. James Dawes, LeHigh, secondary counselor, and Robert Wilson, Derby, middle school teacher. Two are from USD 413 in Chanute: Robert Cross, middle school teacher, and Steve Parson, superintendent, both from Chanute.

Beverley Nogle, an elementary school teacher in Chanute, has taught a total of 41 years, 33 of which were in Kansas.

KU’s School of Education annually invites Kansas school district officials to identify educators who are eligible for recognition. Certificates are issued based on responses from individual districts; some school districts do not participate in KU’s recognition program.

Teachers who received certificates are listed below by USD or Interlocal District number, district name, total years of teaching, years of service in Kansas and, when available, position and K-12 level.

Teachers who received awards locally were: USD 355, Ellinwood, Don Regehr; USD 428, Great Bend, Doneida Baker and Nancy Schuetz; and USD 431, Hoisington, Christina Lamoureaux and Meg Wilson.