National Teachers Hall of Fame
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NATIONAL TEACHERS HALL OF FAME

2013 INDUCTEES

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deborah cornelison

ada, ok | YEARS TAUGHT: 1988 - Present

Deborah’s teaching philosophy is based on the belief that all students can use science skills to learn about the natural world, apply that knowledge to make sense of their diverse places in it, and be empowered to make a real difference. Mrs. Cornelison simply loves learning, and she teaches with purpose so that others may achieve their goals with the joy of learning.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2009      Shell Science Teaching Award, National Science Teachers Association/Shell
                   Oil Company
  • 2009      Microsoft Innovative Education Forum Best Practice Award, Microsoft Corp.
  • 2005      OK Medal for Excellence in Secondary Teaching, Oklahoma Foundation
                   for Excellence
  • 2005      The I CAN Learn®-NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence
                   (Oklahoma Recipient) & Semi-finalist for NEA Foundation Award for Teaching
                   Excellence
  • 2004      USA TODAY Award Honorable Mention
  • 2004      Radio Shack National Teacher Award
  • 2002      Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching
  • 2002      Brandwein Fellow, Paul F.Brandwein Institute
  • 2000      District Teacher of the Year, Byng Public Schools
  • 2000      Finalist for Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year
  • 2000      Byng Junior High School Teacher of the Year
  • 1999, 2008      National Board Certification, Adolescence and Young Adulthood Science
  • 1998      Oklahoma State Science & Engineering Fair Hall of Fame Inductee, OSSEF
  • 1997      High School Science Teacher of the Year, Oklahoma Science Teachers Assn.
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rebecca gault

bel air, md | YEARS TAUGHT: 1990 - Present

Rebecca is the teacher who greets students every day with an energy that conveys, “Your presence is a gift to me today.” She believes that giving students an outstanding education within the context of community is the greatest legacy teachers can offer future generations.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2011 & 2012      Master Teacher, Middle School English/Language Arts
  • 2010      National Board Certification: Early Adolescent and Young Adult Literacy
  • 2001      Golden Lamp Award
  • 1998 & 2000      Governor’s Recognition, Special Marylander
  • 2000      Representative to the National Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony in Washington, DC,
                   Presentation of Award
  • 1997      Winner of the Maryland State Department of Education Content Standards Grant
  • 1991      Inducted into Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society
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darryl johnson

smithville, mo  | Years Taught: 1992 - Present

Darryl considers himself to be a high-energy teacher with self-imposed demanding standards regarding instruction, assessments, and professional growth. He is strict but open, honest but sensitive, and optimistic without being naïve. Mr. Johnson has several foundational principles: students and teachers should have mutually high behavioral and academic expectations of one another; educators must strive to obtain and maintain positive and productive relationships with all stakeholders; “failure” has an unfair reputation, as it is a necessary acquaintance and is a powerful tool; and finally, there should never be a time when students question a teacher’s passion.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2012      National Board Certification
  • 2008      Missouri NEA Horace Mann Award
  • 2007      Missouri Teacher of the Year
  • 2002      National Board Certification
  • 2002      Missouri Scholars Academy Excellence in Teaching Award
  • 2000      Smithville R-II School District Teacher of the Year
  • 1999-06      Smithville High School Teacher of the Year
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martha mcleod

rockport, tx | Years Taught: 1993 - Present

Martha feels that only when her students attain new knowledge and find it relevant to their own lives does she feel that successful learning has occurred. Seventy percent of Mrs. McLeod’s students come from poverty, so she wears many hats – mentor, counselor, facilitator, and sometimes mother or father. Because they know that she is a stable guardian in their lives and that she believes in them and values their opinions, they learn to have confidence in themselves, even when society often stereotypes them.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2012      Top recycling school in Texas in Great American Can Round-Up
  • 2012      Texas Environmental Excellence Award
  • 2011      Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
  • 2011      Texas Academy of Science
  • 2010      Excellence in Teaching State Finalist, HEB Foods, Inc.
  • 2007      Elementary Teacher of the Year for Aransas County ISD
  • 2007      Regional Teacher of the Year, Region 2 Service Center
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beth vernon

blue springs, mo | Years Taught: 1985 - present

Beth has a Golden Rule for teaching: Create the classroom that I would want to learn and grow in every day. Her formula for success is found in colorful, plastic letters on the blackboard in the front of her room: “We are making memories.” This is a daily reminder of the purpose of working together in a classroom—that becoming smarter is a process that everyone works toward, bit by bit, every single day.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2006 & 2008      Missouri STARR (Select Teacher As Regional Resource) Teacher
  • 2000      Disney “All American Teacher” Award
  • 2000      Beyond Excellence Award, Blue Springs School District

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Visser Hall
Emporia State University
1 Kellogg Cir
Emporia, KS 66801
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  • Home
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