Eudora teachers honored at regional banquet
Monday, Sept. 15, 2008
Eudora teachers of the year Bonnie Daigh and Megan Whitebread were recognized at the regional Kansas Teacher of the Year banquet, Sept. 14, at the Overland Park Marriott. The annual event serves to recognize district teachers of the year and announce the regional finalists that will be considered for the state teacher of the year title.
Daigh and Whitebread were selected last February to serve as the district's representatives in the Kansas State Department of Education 2009 Kansas Teacher of the Year program. Whitebread teaches fourth and fifth grades at Eudora West Elementary, and Daigh teaches math at Eudora High School.
Banquet speakers included Kansas Commissioner of Education Alexa Posny, deputy commissioner Dale Dennis and last year's elementary teacher of the year, Jeri Powers. Family members and district leaders, including West principal Jan Irby and EHS principal Dale Sample, joined Daigh and Whitebread to show support at the banquet.
"Teacher of the year is about developing and recognizing leadership and vision in the teaching profession," said Superintendent of Schools Don Grosdidier. "Every district winner joins a powerful statewide network of teacher leaders who get the privilege of connecting with colleagues and policy makers around the state. Megan and Bonnie are going to do an outstanding job representing the teachers, students and community members here in Eudora."
As district teachers of the year, Daigh and Whitebread will participate in the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network and will travel in the region to share with other districts and collaborate about best practices and innovative programs.
"To have our teachers in this process is invaluable for our district," Grosdidier said. "In Eudora, we believe that districts of all sizes have a place at the leadership table. Our teachers will not only get to bring ideas back from other districts that are doing great things, but they will have the opportunity to share the Eudora story and illustrate what makes our district great."
