The Southwestern College education department has recognized Mary Reilly, Cherryvale, and McKenzie Wheeler, Winfield, as “Teachers of Promise.” Because of this distinction, Reilly and Wheeler were invited to attend the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN) State Education Conference in Topeka Feb. 18 and 19. 

Reilly is the daughter of Debra and Phillip Reilly and a 2011 graduate of Cherryvale High School.  

“Being selected as a Teacher of Promise is such an honor,” Reilly says.  “This accolade means that Southwestern College truly believes that its student teachers each have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of young people through our chosen career. The Teacher of Promise award helps reinforce that we are following the proper and most influential path in our lives.”

Wheeler is the daughter of Dave and Sandi Myser.  She is a 2001 graduate of Winfield High School and earned a bachelor of music degree from Southwestern College in 2014.  She lives in Winfield with her husband, Ryan, and two sons, Jaxson (7) and Lincoln (4).  She is on track to earn a master of arts degree in teaching from Southwestern in May.

“It is such an honor to be able to receive this award and be given the opportunity to attend the KEEN conference in Topeka where I could learn from the best teachers what it truly means to be exemplary,” Wheeler says.  “I hope to continue to constantly strive to be a better 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.” 

“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.