Connie bagley

San Marcos, TX | Years Taught: 1972 - PresenT

Bagley believes “What I do MATTERS. What all educators do MATTERS. It is my job to instill pride and confidence along with the knowledge necessary to be a productive, well-rounded citizen.” Bagley says, “Since taking on the daunting task of developing a dyslexia program for an entire district while never leaving the classroom, I have had the opportunity to touch the lives of countless students. I teach dyslexic students how to read so they can read to learn. It doesn’t get any better than that!
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2017      Penguin Random House Teacher Awards for Literacy, Runner-up
  • 2017      Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award (Learning Ally) 
  • 2017      National Teachers Hall of Fame, Top 5 Finalist (NTHF) 
  • 2014      HEB, Inc. Excellence in Education-Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2013      Texas Teacher of the Year Finalist - Texas Association of School Administrators​

Jeff baxter

Overland Park, KS | Years Taught 1971- Present

Jeff believes teaching is the noblest profession. He emphasizes, “I teach my students hope. By helping them appreciate the value of language, they develop problem-solving habits that make them lifelong learners.”
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2018      More Than One Way Home (Memoir; Dorrance Publishing)
  • 2017      Inspirational Teacher of the Year, Blue Valley West Honor Society
  • 2015      National Education Association, Global Fellows Foundation Project member
  • 2015      ECET2 National Symposium of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • 2014      Kansas Teacher of the Year
  • 1989      Leadership Kansas member

Peggy Jackson

Moriarty, NM | Years Taught: 1965 - 2012

Peggy thinks of each student in her classroom as a canvas on which she can help him/her become a masterpiece. She believes that students teaching each other in her classroom “empowers them to value their own learning and to accord respect to their peers as they teach each other
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2017-2018      NCSS Immediate Past President
  • 2016-2017      NCSS President
  • 2013-2015      NCSS Vice-President, President-Elect
  • 2010      New Mexico Teacher of the Year
  • 2005      New Mexico Social Studies Teacher of the Year
  • 2003      National Board Certification; renewed in 2011
  • 1999      Albuquerque Public Schools Teacher of the Year Finalist

maureen Murphy-foelkl

Salem, OR | Years Taught: 1982 - Present

Maureen believes that teachers need to be inspirational in bringing positive energy into lessons and out into the community. She is constantly seeking instructional inspiration from as many sources as she can locate. Her best advice for teachers is: “Triumph. What did you learn today? What did you teach today? This journey is rewarding, as you positively influence the lives of your students. Smile. Listen to your students as you inspire our forthcoming leaders and innovators. Stay curious. Our children will create our magnificent future, through you, their teacher.”
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2018      K-5 Environmental Science, Diack Foundation
  • 2017      Teacher Innovator Award- The Henry Ford Museum of Innovation
  • 2016      Don Jeffery Award Lifelong Environmental Educator- Diack Foundation
  • 2014      Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
  • 2013      Outstanding Classroom Teacher- Oregon Science Teachers Association
  • 2013      Crystal Apple Award- Salem-Keizer Education Foundation
  • 2011      Entomological Foundation’s President’s Prize- ESA
  • 2011      Green Apple Award- Marion County

Bradley Upshaw

Tarzana, CA | Years Taught: 1985 - Present

Bradley is proud to tell people what he does: “I am filled with purpose and joy every day. My particular skill set matches perfectly with my tasks as a teacher. Inspiring everyone on my campus to self-improve is all part of the job. Every interaction I have with every student is an opportunity to build trust and set higher expectations for what is possible.” Upshaw believes that teaching is storytelling: "I try to find the essential. I do not want to be boring. I do not want to turn off their curiosity and sense of wonder. There has to be a reason to come to school every day. I want students to know that something great is going to happen and they don’t want to miss it. Let’s be smarter and nicer than we were yesterday.”
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 1987 - 2019      81 Video in the Classroom Awards- KLCS TV/LAUSD
  • 1988 - 2006      Lifetime Achievement/Judging Coordinator- CA Student Media Festival
  • 1998      Excellence as a Distinguished Educator- Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
  • 2017      Teacher of the Year Finalist- Encino Chamber of Commerce