Representing 174 years of classroom experience, seven members of the class of 2023 Kansas Master Teachers were announced this week by Emporia State University.
Among the honorees is Jerry Braun, gifted education teacher at Hays Middle School and High School.
Other winners were:
• Kristen Anderson, USD 345 Seaman
• Kirstin Bangerter, USD 443 Dodge City
• Jerald Braun, USD 489 Hays
• Matt Christensen, USD 229 Blue Valley
• Martha MacKay, USD 253 Emporia
• Maggie Wolken, USD 413 Chanute
• Melissa Hall, USD 475 Geary County
Through the support of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, each Master Teacher will be presented with a check for $1,000.
The recipients were selected by a nine-member committee including representatives from the Kansas Association of Principals, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Parent Teacher Organization, Kansas National Education Association, United School Administrators, ESU’s Kappa Delta Pi student organization and representatives of the 2020 and 2022 Kansas Master Teacher classes.
The 2023 Master Teachers will be honored on Master Teacher Day on April 5 at Emporia State University.
ESU established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1954. Information on the 70 years of educators named Kansas Master Teachers is available at www.emporia.edu/masterteacher.