MNU students Kayla Dailey, senior elementary education and Stephanie Ruley, senior secondary education, are among only 45 students from 23 Kansas colleges and universities to be recognized this year as Teachers of Promise by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

Colleges and universities across the state that offer teacher preparation programs are invited to select two teacher educations students each, for the honor.

Heather Ozias, MNU teacher education department, says faculty in the department vote to nominate outstanding education senior students, one elementary and one secondary.

“Usually the two nominated students attend a conference in Topeka and are honored at a banquet,” Ozias said. “Due to COVID this year, they received their certificates were mailed and the KSDE sent them a congratulatory video message from the Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson.”

Watson’s message called the winners some of the “best and brightest of the teacher candidates coming out of our colleges and universities.”