Sunflower Bank honors Teacher of the Year
Recently-retired teacher Dale Koerner earned the Sunflower Bank Teacher of the Year award – and was surprised by dozens of cheering students who showed up to celebrate their former teacher. (Photo, left.)
Koerner, a long-time fifth-grade instructor at Langston Hughes Elementary in Lawrence, received the honor during a ceremony also celebrating the eight Sunflower Bank Teachers of the Month from August 2008 through May 2009.
All Eight Teachers of the Month, along with family, friends and colleagues gathered at Maceli’s, 1031 N. Hampshire in Lawrence for the revealing of the annual winner.
“This is a very humbling experience,” said Koerner. “There are so many good people in this district. It’s a fantastic district to teach in.”
Sunflower Bank President Glynn Sheridan announced Koerner’s name, and a throng of former students and parents cascaded into the dining room to cheer on the Teacher of the Year. Many students stayed after the ceremony to catch up with their former – and favorite – teacher. Koerner earned a plaque and a prize worth more than $500.
“We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate teachers who have made a difference in our community,” said Sheridan. “They’re teaching our children, the future of our community. I don’t think there’s anything more important than that.”
Koerner received the Teacher of the Month honor in September of 2008, on the strength of the support of dozens of essays, emails and tributes submitted to Sunflower Bank. Monthly and annual awards are decided by an impartial committee convened by Sunflower Broadband and the Lawrence Journal-World.
Sunflower Bank’s Teacher of the Year enters its fourth year this August. The program honors Lawrence-area teachers with a monthly award based on nominations by students or parents. The 2009-2010 program encourages students and parents to nominate teachers who have made a difference in their lives with a short essay, tribute, or note.
Nominations are accepted at Sunflower Bank on 14th and Wakarusa, and also online at sunflowerbank.com/teachers
Information from the Lawrence Journal-World was used in this report.
