Miss Ensminger has taught grade school in my hometown of Fredonia, Kansas for as long as I can remember. But, to be more precise she taught first and second grades in Fredonia from 1970 through 2007. Then became a Reading Recovery teacher for 3 more years. Miss Ensminger has been noted as a lot of students "favorite teacher" and her popularity has shown that over the years. Even to this day she has grown-ups running up to her yelling Miss E., Miss E with outstretched arms yielding tons of hugs. One she officially retired from the district she has and still hasn't stopped teaching. For instance this past school year she was helping to tutor a student in reading because the student wasn't at the appropriate reading level for her age. Miss Ensminger not only taught inside a classroom but outside her classroom as well.  I could almost bet that if you see her out and about in the town she's on a mission in helping someone in need, wither it be a child or an adult.

I know a lot of teacher rarely get the recognition that they deserve. Therefore, for all that Linda Ensminger has done over her teaching year, she will go that extra step to educate others or lend a helping hand, because that is just who Miss E is and will forever be!

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For her outstanding contributions as an elementary teacher, Rosemary is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame.
During all these years, whether as a Catholic school educator, public school teacher, or in the public private business sector, I have always tried to bring out the best in each individual. I have always tried to encourage my students and my staff to work to their highest potential. I have also tried to encourage them in their career paths.
Rosemary Waldron has taught elementary school in Connecticut and Massachusetts since 1959.

​For her outstanding contributions as an elementary and middle school teacher, Vicki is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Marjorie Bearden.
Mrs. Strong did teach in a country school, but her career did not start there. One year ago, Mrs. Strong was the homebound teacher-coordinator for our adopted grandson, who was not able to attend his home school for medical reasons. As a professional teacher-coordinator in the Homebound Program, Mrs. Strong was responsible for curricula kindergarten through grade 12.
Mrs. Strong had to work closely with medical professionals, guidance personnel, and the students’ teachers at their home school. It is an exhausting job because teacher-coordinators have a heavy case load which involves traveling and carrying textbooks. Mrs. Strong was also responsible for traveling to students’ homes to provide instruction in elementary, middle school, and high school curricula. She worked with students suffering from a variety of medical difficulties including: broken bones, high school pregnancy, juvenile laryngeal pappilomatosis, and depression. Mrs. Strong demonstrated her love for children by her dedication to their education. She went the “extra mile” to create developmentally appropriate and fun lessons for my grandson as well as other children.
Mrs. Strong was also appointed by United States Senator Daschle and Governor Janklow to serve on the South Dakota Teachers Professional Practices and Standards Commission from 2002-2003. Mrs. Strong has also volunteered at the Literacy Center at Rushmore Mall and at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Among her other honors, Mrs. Strong was also an elementary teacher, taught adjunct at Black Hills State University, and was honored to be nominated for the National Teacher’s Hall of Fame in 1995.

For her outstanding contributions as a music teacher, Mary is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Joseph P. Petro of Pembroke Pines, Florida.
There are persons who come into our lives and touch our souls.  In doing so they leave an indelible mark, which even with time, is not erased.  Sr. Mary John Lampkin was one of these teachers. She was my seventh grade teacher who not only led by her words, but also by her example.
As a group, all boys, the class was a real challenge.  Sister always expected the best from us and never lost faith in the class.  Always treating us with respect, she seemed to have answers to many of life’s questions.  When she left at the end of my seventh grade year, I was heart broken.
Today, sister is ninety years old.  We have kept in touch through the years.  Even today her spirit still lights up my life.  I am honored to pay her this tribute.

For her outstanding contributions as a teacher, Pearl is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by J.A. Ekenberg of Richfield, Minnesota.
It’s been two and half years since my mother passed away.  I said to myself, “God must have needed a great teacher up there.” I miss her every single day.  I didn’t know one single person who didn’t like my parents.  My mother taught me many things throughout my life.  The most important is honest and caring.  My mother used to always say, “I wish I could help ever single person in the world somehow.”
My father really misses her also. They were married sixty-eight and one half years.  He just turned ninety-five on September 5, 2005.  I’m sure you’d agree that’s pretty amazing.  Here is what is really amazing: In all those years of marriage, I never, ever heard them argue or raise their voices.
When it’s all said and done, I hope I can tough someone’s life like my mother did mine.  I have a lot to live up to, but I’ll never quit trying. She was the best. ​