Sources: Megan Lutz, mlutz@k-state.edu;
and Laurie Curtis, 785-532-7623, ljcurtis@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-2535, kmayes@k-state.edu

Thursday, April 22, 2010

K-STATE'S STUDENT KNEA CHAPTER RECEIVES SEVERAL AWARDS AT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's student chapter of the Kansas National Educational Association received several honors at the recent KNEA Student Program Leadership Conference. In addition, a K-State faculty member was selected as the outstanding KNEA student program adviser.

The chapter received awards for outstanding local website and outstanding local newsletter. It also received the Chapter of Excellence Award, which recognizes local chapters that met three organizational goals related to community outreach, teacher quality and political action. The K-State chapter sponsors and organizes educational events and goes into local schools to do interactive read-aloud activities. The chapter also invites professional speakers to discuss what to expect once in the classroom.

"I'm proud to say I'm a member of K-State KNEA," said chapter president Megan Lutz, junior in elementary education, Topeka. "We work hard each year to provide our members with speakers that will help us become better teachers and work to reach out to the local community."

Laurie Curtis, K-State assistant professor of elementary education and adviser to K-State's student chapter, received the Outstanding Local Adviser Award.

"It is a rewarding experience to serve as a faculty adviser for this wonderful group of future teachers," Curtis said. "Our K-State KNEA student chapter members work hard to exemplify the College of Education's vision of preparing educators who are knowledgeable, caring and ethical decision-makers. They seek out opportunities to learn from experienced educators to help them transition from students to professional educators."

Curtis said her award was made possible through the guidance of Ann Knackendoffel, the organization's past adviser and co-adviser to the group this year. Knackendoffel is a K-State assistant professor of special education, counseling and student affairs.