College of Education recognizes alumni, graduating seniors with teaching awards

A special educator and a first-grade teacher, along with two graduating seniors, have been chosen by Pittsburg State University's College of Education for its two annual Outstanding Educator and Teachers of Promise awards.

The awards will be presented at the College of Education Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. on May 9 in the Bicknell Family for the Arts by Dean James Truelove.

It also will include recognition of faculty excellence award winners.

The ceremony is open to the public.

Teachers of Promise

McKenna Jones and Drew Perry have been selected for the Teachers of Promise Award, given to two top graduating seniors who have completed their student teaching assignments and will enter the field this fall.

Jones, an Elementary Education Unified major from Carl Junction, Missouri, was a student teacher at Lincoln Elementary in Baxter Springs. She has been hired as a special education resource teacher at Ray Marsh Elementary in Shawnee Mission School District.

Perry, a History Education major from Uniontown, was a student teacher at Frontenac. He has been hired to teach at Iola High School.

Outstanding Elementary Educator

Olivia Boone, a first-grade teacher at Rosehill Elementary in Shawnee Mission, was selected as the Outstanding Elementary Educator.

Boone earned a BS in Elementary Education from Pitt State in 2017 and an MS in Curriculum Instruction from Emporia State in 2022.

Nominators described her as a teacher who is encouraging and motivating to students and as a leader and mentor to future teachers. She is actively engaged in Professional Learning Communities.

She is a member of the building-wide Social & Emotional Team, the 1stGrade PLC Team, and the Assembly Team. She also volunteers to host after school programs like Girls on the Run and plans and facilitates family engagement nights.

"Olivia is the perfect example of working alongside students and families to help strengthen our school community," said Danielle Krumme, a colleague. "She advocates and partners with families to make sure students receive what they need socially, emotionally, and academically."

Said Principal Jennifer Duke: "Our school is a better place because Olivia Boone is in it."

Outstanding Secondary Educator

Rachel Womack, a special education teacher at Derby High School in Derby, was selected as the Outstanding Secondary Educator.

She earned an MA from Pitt State in High & Low Incidence Special Education in 2020. Her BA in Elementary Education is from Wichita State.

Just wrapping up her first year at Derby High School, she was described by her nominators as someone who builds strong relationships with students and parents, effectively communicates with all stakeholders, and advocates for her students.

She is an active member of the school's Professional Learning Community and has helped to take over Panther Pals, the school's basketball and cheer teams of students with exceptionalities.

Said Principal Gretchen Pontious: "She is an enthusiastic and motivated teacher who brings energy to her classroom that ensures students are engaged. Her love for learning and growing professionally is evident in her daily actions."

"She shows a wealth of knowledge for her job, a passion for her students, and a flexible resilience to obstacles," said colleague Shawn Pearson.

Faculty excellence awards

The College of Education also recognized three faculty members with departmental awards:

• Assistant Professor Shelby Hutchens (Health, Human Performance, and Recreation), Excellence in Teaching

• Assistant Professor Laurent Pretot (Psychology), Excellence in Scholarship

• • Assistant Professor Bridgette Fincher (Teaching & Leadership), Excellence in Service

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.