USD 450 Teachers of the Year

large view Mrs. Barb Cole large view Mrs. Rhonda Lefferd

I am pleased to announce the USD 450 Teachers of the Year and 2010 Kansas Teacher of the Year Nominees for Shawnee Heights are Mrs. Barb Cole and Mrs. Rhonda Lefferd.

Mrs. Cole teaches  art at Shawnee Heights Middle School. She is a native of Topeka and she and her husband, Dennis, have lived in the Shawnee Heights District for 28 years. They have two children, John and Carolyn.  Mrs. Cole is in her 18th year of teaching, with 15 years in USD 450. She received  her Bachelor's degree frorm Washburn University in 1980 and her Master's degree from Baker University in 2004.  Her goal as a teacher is to see each child as a unique individual and to provide them with the opportunity to discover the enjoyment of learning in a caring and safe classroom.

Mrs. Lefferd currently teaches fourth grade at Tecumseh South Elementary. This is currently her seventh year teaching, five years with USD 450.  She earned her elementary education degree from Wichita State University in 2002.  She also has an emphasis in middle level social studies. Mrs. Lefferd is currently working towards her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership from Emporia State University.  Teaching students to become responsible, lifelong learners is a goal that Mrs. Lefferd strives to achieve.  She has a passion for learning and wants to share that passion with all her students.  Incorporating technology and a variety of teaching strategies makes her classroom exciting and a fun place to learn.

Please join me on behalf of the Board of Education and the entire district in congratulating Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Lefferd. We are fortunate to have them and many teachers like them working with the students of Shawnee Heights.

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