Janet Sims Teacher of the Year Award
Application materials for the 2011 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year are now available. Any district certified Kansas teacher currently engaged in integrating agricultural concepts into a non-vocational classroom setting at the K-12 level is encouraged to apply.Applications must be postmarked no later than December 3, 2010.
2011 Teacher of the Year Brochure [pdf]
2011 Teacher of the Year Application [pdf]
2011 Teacher of the Year Guidelines and Rules [pdf]
2011 Teacher of the Year Judge's Worksheet [pdf]
The winning teacher will be recognized in March at the State Ag Day celebration in Topeka. He or she will have the opportunity to to choose an all-expense paid voucher to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida., June 22-25, 2011; or a $250 gift certificate to purchase agricultural education supplies for his or her classroom.
Carol Budde
2010 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year
Carol Budde, Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center fifth-grade teacher, was named the Foundation’s 2010 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year. She was honored at the annual State Ag Day celebration on March 18 in Topeka.Carol Budde, Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center fifth-grade teacher, was named the Foundation’s 2010 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year. She was honored at the annual State Ag Day celebration on March 18 in Topeka.
Budde keeps her students busy with many projects, especially hands-on learning activities. Her students raise feeder pigs, work in the school greenhouse, and compost uneaten fruits and vegetables from lunchroom trays for greenhouse plants. “All of these projects provide countless opportunities for all types of students to gain knowledge that helps them with academics and in their daily lives, from teamwork to perseverance,” said Budde.
In addition to these projects, Budde employs several strategies to teach agriculture. A primary teaching method of hers is the integration of technology into lessons, which include Smart Board activities, student personal laptops and video clips from Discovery Education, Teacher Tube and You Tube.
The Foundation recognizes one Kansas teacher each spring who demonstrates a commitment to connecting their classroom to Kansas agriculture. Any K-12 teacher who is teaching in a certified school in Kansas in a non-vocational agriculture classroom setting and who is integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula is eligible for this award.
The Teacher of the Year Award has been a part of the Foundation for many years. In 2008, it was renamed in honor of Janet Sims who passed away from muscular dystrophy in June 2007. Janet served on the KFAC board of directors since November 2005, and during that time she served on the education committee and also contributed tremendous support, leadership and– most importantly –
a passion for youth education to the Foundation.
KFAC is proud to honor Janet and her family by sponsoring the Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year Award.
More about Janet Sims »
Janet Kaye Sims Memorial Website »
Frequently Asked Questions »
Past Recipients »
