FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 7, 2007
BETHANY STUDENTS RECEIVE 2007 TEACHER OF PROMISE AWARD
LINSDBORG, KAN. —Two Bethany College education students have been honored by the Kansas State Department of Education as promising future teachers.
Sara Bland, a senior from Luray, Kan., and Emily Petrosky, a senior from Brackettville, Texas, were selected to attend a special banquet in Wichita for the Kansas State Department of Education. The Kansas Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Nov. 17 event.
The Teachers of Promise award is one of several honors presented by the Kansas State Department of Education to help recruit and retain the best Kansas teachers for Kansas children.
Bland and Petrosky are being recognized for their exemplary student teaching.
Kansas colleges and universities may each nominate two student teachers for this award. Bethany’s winners were selected from seven nominees nominated by their student teaching supervisors.Those who were nominated best exemplify ability in the following areas: classroom environment, professionalism, instructional abilities and planning and preparation.
Bland, who is majoring in vocal music teaching preK-12, was nominated by Doug Talbott, associate professor of music. Petrosky, who is majoring in elementary education K-6, was nominated by Gail Konzem, associate professor of elementary education. Both Talbott and Konzem are teacher education program coordinators at the college.
Bland currently is student teaching vocal music under teacher Keri Boley and administrator Mary Brown at Kanopolis Middle School, and under Boley and administrator Dale Brungardt at Ellsworth High School. From Aug. 14 to Oct. 5, she student taught elementary vocal music under teacher Susan Keith and administrator Eric Reid at Ellsworth Elementary.
Petrosky currently is student teaching elementary education, grade two, under teacher Nedra Elbl and administrator Tina Daniels at Coronado Elementary in Salina, Kan.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.
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