Press Release - Honored Teachers to Visit

February 22, 2002/NTHF - 800-968-3224
CONTACT: Tes Mehring, (620) 341-9131 

Kansas State Teachers of the Year to Visit the National Teachers Hall of Fame on February 28

EMPORIA, Kan. - The National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) will be honored with a visit from Etta Blanche Dahlgren, resident of Kansas City, Kansas, 1963 Kansas State Teacher of the Year, and graduate of Kansas State Teacher's College (now Emporia State University).

Ms. Dahlgren was an elementary school principal in Kansas City and taught 45 years before retiring. She has been a supporter of the Hall of Fame and most recently funded a belltower exhibit which displays the old Emporia High School bell. Thanks to U.S.D. #253, a permanent loan of the bell was granted to the Hall of Fame for inclusion in the belltower exhibit.

During her visit to Emporia, Ms. Dahlgren will be joined by good friend and career teacher, Helen Case of El Dorado, Kansas. Ms. Case was the first Kansas State Teacher of the Year in 1960, and was inducted into the NTHF in 1992.

Ms. Dahlgren, Ms. Case, and members of the NTHF Board of Directors and staff will be attending a luncheon hosted by Dr. Kay Schallenkamp, Chair of the NTHF Board of Directors and President of ESU. Following the luncheon, Ms. Dahlgren and Ms. Case will tour the Teachers College at ESU. They will then travel to the NTHF where they will be joined by Dr. Bill Samuelson, NTHF Museum Consultant; Harry Hart, Museum Designer; Bob Gast, Kansas State Department of Education; and members of the National State Teachers of the Year (NSTOY) program, of which both are members. The media is invited to the NTHF from 3-4 pm. Photo opportunities also will take place during this time.