National Teachers Hall of Fame
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NATIONAL TEACHERS HALL OF FAME

1992 INDUCTEES

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sheryl abshire

AUGUSTA, GA | YEARS TAUGHT: 1973 - Present

In Sheryl’s opinion, education is a lifelong process of cumulative and developmental experiences gained through interaction with school and society. “Teaching should be child-centered with a flexible curriculum designed to adequately prepare students to become global citizens in the 21st century. Teaching is a shared responsibility with the school system, the family, the place of worship, and many other community agencies playing a crucial role in the development of the whole child,” Sheryl said.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 1991      NFIE Christa McAuliffe Fellow
  • 1991      Phi Delta Kappa Award of Achievement
  • 1991      Call for Innovation in Practice Award, National Foundation for the Improvement in
                    Education
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  • 1990      Louisiana Teacher of the Year
  • 1990      Call for Innovation in Practice Award Elementary
  • 1990      Computer Learning Foundation National Grand Prize Winner: Best Elementary
    ​                Lesson Plan for Integrating Technology Into the Classroom
  • 1990      First Prize: Broderbund Future Film Directors of America Award
  • 1989      Computer Learning Foundation National Grand Prize Winner
  • 1989      First Prize: Broderbund Future Film Directors of America Award
  • 1986      Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Achievement Award
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anna alfiero

WATERFORD, CT | YEARS TAUGHT: 1962 - Present

Many times throughout Anna’s teaching career students have asked her “Why do you teach?” She simply replies, “I have never thought of doing anything else.” At an early age, her grandfather instilled the idea that each person has a storehouse of talent that can be shared with the world. As students enter the portals of her classroom, she feels empowered to teach youngsters by encouraging the freedom of expression to question and solve problems. That atmosphere to exchange ideas and information, whether it be through verbal or nonverbal means, is set immediately and the educational process begins, she says.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2012      Lowell Milken Center Fellow
  • 2010      KSU College of Education Alumni Fellow
  • 2009      Finalist - Presidential Award for Excellence in Math/Science Teaching
  • 2009      National semi-finalist, NEA Foundation Horace Mann Excellence in Education
  • 2009      Kansas Teacher of the Year
  • 2009      Kansas NEA Excellence in Education Award
  • 2006      National Board Certification
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helen case

EL DORADO, KS  | Years Taught: 1928 - Present

For 45 years, Helen viewed teaching as an art, and in some instances, a calling. Teaching, she says, “Is not for the faint-hearted, the indecisive, the timid, the believer in the status quo or the one who is just seeking a job, not a profession. Teaching is for those who really want to teach and place the academic climate of their students above their own personal desires. Teaching results when the teacher is a facilitator, a seeker of incentives and a motivator.”
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2001      President’s Award for the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser for the Butler County
                   Community College
  • 1986      Named the Outstanding Secretary of Knife and Fork Club International
  • 1984      Received a Certificate of Recognition plaque from the Modern Woodmen of America
                    for “Conscientious and Dedicated Community Service”
  • 1983      Named a Distinguished Alumni from Emporia State University
  • 1978      Inducted in the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame
  • 1971      Named Kansas Master teacher by Emporia State University
  • 1965      NEA Board of Directors
  • 1961      Named by the State Board of Education as Kansas Teacher of the Year; one of eight
    ​                listed in McCall’s magazine
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shirley naples

FERNDALE, MI | Years Taught: 1968 - Present

Shirley believes that they key to all successful teaching is the initial development of self-esteem in every student. Naples believes that children cannot learn if they do not believe in themselves. A good teacher, she says, will nurture and encourage each child to develop his or her own talents. In her classroom, she tells her students that individually each must become the best he or she can be. She has high expectations for every child and will not accept less. Learning occurs, Naples says, because of the chemistry that develops between teacher and student.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 1993      Presidential Recognition – White House, Washington, D.C.
  • 1992      Teacher Recognition Congressional Record – Val 138
  • 1991      Finalist for Michigan Teacher of the Year
  • 1990      Selected as WDIV-Newsweek Teacher of the Year for Oakland County Elementary
                    Level
  • 1990      Resolution from Ferndale Board of education for Outstanding Teaching
                    Commendation from mayor and city council of Ferndale
  • 1990      Resolution from the Oakland County Intermediate School Board for Outstanding
                    Teaching
  • 1989      Woman of Distinction Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
  • 1989      ​Selected Ferndale Teacher of the Year
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joseph york

SHELBY, TN | Years Taught: 1970 - 1998

Joseph's philosophy of teaching is very simple. He believes that all students can learn and that teachers can make a difference by emphasizing the positive and rejecting the negative. He also believes that students have the right to be taught by someone who has faith in their abilities. In ever increasing numbers, York says, students view themselves as failures and their lives as without hope. As a teacher, he tells his students that an occasional setback is not the end, but actually a step closer to their goal. If we accept failure, York says, we have indeed failed; but if we learn from and in spite of that failed effort, then hope is still alive. Teachers are agents that keep hope alive.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 1998      Excellence in Teaching Across Cultures Award
  • 1996      Hall of Excellence (American Childhood Education Assn.)
  • 1993      National Educator Award (Milken Family Foundation)
  • 1991      Tennessee Teacher of the Year Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of
                    Tennessee/Knoxville
  • 1990      Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Tennessee/Knoxville
  • 1990      National Thanks to Teachers Award
  • 1990      Educator of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce
  • 1990      Citations of Merit for Contributions to Education/Memphis City Council and
                    Tennessee General Assembly and Bartlett City Government Joseph York Day
    ​                (December 11) in Somerville and Fayette County, Tennessee
  • 1990      Teacher of the Year, Fayette-Ware High School
  • 1990      Teacher of the Year, Southwest District, Tennessee
  • 1989      Teacher of the Year, Fayette-Ware High School
  • 1985      Outstanding Teacher Award by the University of Tennessee at Martin
  • 1976      Teacher of the Year, Millington Central High School
  • 1970      Teacher of the Year, Whitehaven High School

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Local: 620-341-5660
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Visser Hall
Emporia State University
1 Kellogg Cir
Emporia, KS 66801
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