The Southwestern College education department has recognized Sarah York, Clearwater, and Elizabeth Stephens, Dodge City, as “Teachers of Promise.”  

Stephens graduated with distinction from the University of Kansas with a bachelor of arts degree in English creative writing.  She is on track to earn a master of arts degree in teaching from Southwestern in December.

“I was gobsmacked to hear that I was nominated for this award, and humbled to hear that I had received it,” Stephens says. “This award would not be possible without the efforts of so many teachers before me who sacrificed their time and effort just to make me a little better each day. I accept this award for those who showed me what I want to be.”

York is the daughter of David and Debbie Klausmeyer and a graduate of Clearwater High School.  She and her husband, David, have three sons--Carter, 8; Landon, 5; and Jayden, nine months.  

“I am truly honored to be receiving this award,” York says.  “My family, cooperating teachers, and professors have been truly amazing throughout my student teaching journey and are the reason I have come this far. I feel like all my hard work has paid off. Now it is time to live my dream as a teacher.”

According to Jackie Glasgow, director of student teaching at Southwestern, each year Kansas colleges and universities with teacher education programs are invited to name two individuals to be recognized as “Teachers of Promise.” These individuals will be honored at a Nov. 21 banquet in Wichita.  

“In this selection process, the teacher education program faculty of SC typically considers individuals who are presently in their student teaching semester through both the campus and Professional Studies cohorts. With the continued growth of our program, the pool of potential candidates continues to grow, making the final selection challenging,” Glasgow says.

Glasgow continued that in naming “exemplary” candidates, attributes of effective professional educators are considered, similar to those utilized in identifying the Kansas State Teacher of the Year.  Those attributes include demonstrating a strong commitment to the teaching profession, planning and delivering effective lessons which attempt to meet the learning styles and needs of all students, building team relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and parents, and engagement in the greater school community.