Press Release - Announcement

National Teachers Hall of Fame changes announced

EMPORIA, KANSAS - - Each year during the month of June hundreds gather in Emporia, Kansas to honor five outstanding teachers from all over the United States. Emporia has been home to the nations only National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) since 1989.

The Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of exceptional career teachers and the teaching profession through a recognition program. The NTHF also preserves the careers of inductees in a museum. Since the inaugural induction ceremonies in 1992, 75 educators from 32 states and the District of Columbia have been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

Emporia is an excellent home for the National Teachers Hall of Fame, and has been for many years. The Hall of Fame is fortunate to have so much support from the community, said Boyce Baumgardner, Board of Directors Chair. Emporia knows how important it is to honor and recognize the hard work and dedication of teachers.

The National Teachers Hall of Fame, currently located at 1320 C of E Drive, will temporarily relocate to the Emporia State University campus. A portion of the building where the Hall of Fame is housed was leased by Birch Telecom, which resulted in $120,000 annual loss in revenue when Birch vacated the space.

We decided to temporarily relocate to protect the financial stability of the Hall of Fame. Our goal is to initiate fundraising activities and secure additional corporate sponsors for the NTHF, Baumgardner said. This temporary move to the Teachers College (Visser Hall on the ESU campus) is an excellent move for the Hall of Fame. What could be better than to share space with one of the top four Teachers Colleges in the U.S.?

As ESU students attend classes preparing them for the teaching profession, they will have the opportunity to view the gallery of honored teachers, miniature displays of classrooms and other glimpses of educational heritage.

As a corporate sponsor of the NTHF, ESU is elated to have the Hall of Fame temporarily located on campus. The Hall of Fame has done so much for our community and for ESU, said Dr. John Schwenn, ESU President. ESU will continue to support the NTHF in their commitment to recognize teachers for their dedication to educating students and for their many years of success in the classroom. 

The 30,000 square foot building is currently available for lease or sale. It is critical we either lease or sell. Baumgardner said.  The building is very marketable and located on prime real estate.

In an effort to expand and gain more prominent exposure an additional NTHF office will be opening at the ESU Metro Learning Center in Overland Park, Kansas in the Kansas City metro area.

The NTHF should be a household name across the nation. Everyone has a teacher that inspired them and contributed to their success in life. We want the world to know that in Emporia, Kansas, and the Midwest, we honor teachers and recognize the lasting contributions they make to our lives, Baumgardner said. This is an opportunity to broaden our base and gain more attention for our programs.

The National State Teacher of the Year (NSTOY) organization is providing a part-time employee for the NTHF. Carol Strickland, a retired teacher from Emporia High School and NSTOY member, will assist in strengthening the partnership between NSTOY and the NTHF. She will also help the NTHF gain more national exposure and help with fundraising.

Each year a teacher of the year is chosen from all 50 states. After a state teacher of the year is selected, that teacher is eligible for nomination into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. NSTOY is the organization responsible for state teachers of the year.