Past Teacher of the Year Recipients
Kathy Murphy
2009 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year
Kathy Murphy, a fifth-grade teacher at Walton 21st Century Rural Life Charter School, was honored as the 2009 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year at the annual Agricultural Day celebration. Murphy attended the KFAC Summer Course in 2007.
Two years ago, Murphy’s school switched over to an agriculture-based experiential learning model. Murphy’s class operates a salsa-making business out of the school greenhouse and is responsible for all aspects of the business from production to financing to marketing decisions. The class members also paint and sell birdhouses. Other agriculture-related learning activities the students have been involved in include fishing, taking care of the school’s goat and chickens, and planting grasses that absorb rainwater on the playground.
Teresa Shulze
2008 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year
Left to right: Bob and Barb Jewell (brother and sister-in-law of Janet Sims), Trent Vu (son-in-law), Shera Sims (daughter), Brandon and Teresa Schulze (award recipient), Berneda and Rex Jewell (sister-in-law and brother of Janet Sims)
Teresa Schulze, a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary in Norton was honored as the 2008 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year.
Schulze, who attended the 2007 KFAC Summer Graduate Course, teaches social studies and science. She uses interactive, hands-on activities to integrate various agriculture concepts into her science class. “With living in a rural area, agriculture is the primary industry in our community,” she said explaining why she thinks incorporating agriculture into her classroom is so important. “If it were not for agriculture, our town and community would be nonexistent.”
Joyce Troyer
2007 Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the Year
Joyce Troyer, a sixth grade teacher at Riley County Grade School, was presented the 2007 Teacher of the Year award. Troyer was nominated by fellow teacher Jennifer Bullock in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to science education.
Troyer attended KFAC's Summer Course in 1993. Through her experiences in that class, she learned to take pride in her agricultural background and incorporating agriculture and natural resources has enhanced her classroom curriculum. Troyer integrates agricultural concepts into her lessons using interactive videos, hands-on experiments and farm family pen pals.
