National Teachers Hall of Fame
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NATIONAL TEACHERS HALL OF FAME

2019 INDUCTEES

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Christopher Albrecht

Brockport, NY | YEARS TAUGHT: 1995 - 2019

Christopher believes that his job is to teach children, but his mission is to promote lifelong learning. His pedagogy contains six key student-centered pillars: Confidence is key to learning, but given the right environment students can learn to trust themselves to make good decisions; Creativity allows for the expansion of ideas; When students take risks, the rate of failure goes up, and there is nothing wrong with this; All students want to be accepted, but there are times when there are naysayers to ideas; Students and teachers that understand work ethic increase their rate of success; and teaching service-mindedness produces future active citizens.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2019      NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence
  • 2019      Fairport High School Alumni Hall of Fame
  • 2018      New York State Teacher of the Year
  • 2018      St. Bonaventure University Distinguished Alumni Award
  • 2017      NYS Board of Regents’ David Johnson Award & Donald Sobol Award
  • 2015      Campaign for Cursive National Teacher of the Year
  • 2014      CBS Golden Apple Award
  • 1996      Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year
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DR. DAVID BOSSO

BERLIN, CT | YEARS TAUGHT: 1997 - PRESENT

David believes that encouraging students to become more aware of the world around them, to realize and appreciate multiple sides to every story and every issue, and to begin to get a better sense of their potential as global citizens, are fundamental to a students’ education. He emphasizes that good teachers are driven by a sense of moral purpose, and they have a keen appreciation for the difference they can make in students’ lives. Many times, it is paying attention to the little things that will pay important relational dividends — and this can mean the world to some students.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2017      Connecticut Council for the Social Studies Addazio Award
  • 2014      Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Fellow
  • 2012      National Council for Social Studies Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year
  • 2012      Connecticut Teacher of the Year
  • 2011      U.S. Department of State Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program: Ghana
  • 2004      Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program to Japan
  • 2000      Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminars Abroad: Egypt and Israel
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Richard Knoeppel

Las Vegas, NV  | Years Taught: 1991-Present

As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher, Richard firmly believes that he needs to provide students with the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in the future.  He wants to provide them with the ability to be successful in jobs and careers that haven’t even been thought of yet. He offers this advice to beginning teachers: “Always remember that you are just as important to your school and the children you teach as a veteran teacher is. Work hard, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are going to make mistakes, but you will be a better teacher for having made them. Don’t focus on the things you can’t change; move forward with the things you can."
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2019      Nevada State Teacher of the Year
  • 2017      Finalist, Nevada State Teacher of the Year
  • 2014      Magnet Schools of America Region VIII Teacher of the Year
  • 2007      Clark County School District Excellence in Education Hall of Fame
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Dr. Mary jo Murray

Riviera Beach, FL | Years Taught: 1970 - Present

Mary Jo agrees with the inspirational Christa McAuliffe when she says, “I touch the future. I teach.” Dr. Murray says that the teaching tools that she has honed are basic—break down skills, encourage appropriate practice with maximum participation, reward effort, praise abundantly, ask pertinent questions during discovery, show enthusiasm, acknowledge individual differences, and include everyone.
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2009      Secondary Math Teacher of the Year Finalist, Palm Beach    
  • 2002      Secondary Math Teacher of the Year for Dade County
  • 2001      National Board Certification
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Dyane Smokorowski

Andover, KS | Years Taught: 1997 - Present

Dyane believes that a teacher’s role is to love first and teach second and that teachers never stop learning alongside their students. Mrs. Smokorowski was recently told that her learning environment can be described in three words: joyful, relevant, and irresistible. She responded that those characteristics were what she wanted to experience when she was in school, and added “Yes, it almost feels a bit magical.”
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION:
  • 2015      Dolly Parton Foundation Chasing Rainbows Award
  • 2014      Lowell Milken Center of Unsung Heroes Fellow
  • 2014      Skype Master Teacher
  • 2013      Kansas State Teacher of the Year
  • 2009      Top 20 to Watch in Education for the Next 20 Years (NSBA)
  • 2009      Inspiring Educator Award (Intel Corporation)
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  • Home
  • NOMINATE A TEACHER
  • SUPPORT NTHF
  • Fallen Educators Memorial
  • ABOUT US
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