College of Education alumni receive stipends for innovative community service projects
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022
MANHATTAN — Eight College of Education alumni across Kansas were recently awarded a $5,000 community service stipend from the college's inaugural Today's Teacher program as recognition for their outstanding and impactful educational initiatives beyond the classroom.
All of the awardees were also recipients of the Tomorrow's Teacher Scholarship Program as undergraduate students. It is one of the college's most prestigious scholarship programs since it was established in 1999. The Tomorrow's Teacher and Today's Teacher programs were both created and funded by longtime K-State philanthropists Lee and Barb Harris. Only eight of the teachers' submissions were chosen statewide.
Recipients of the funding are Meredith Reid, vocal teacher at Girard High School and Middle School; Katelyn Meiwes, virtual high school teacher at Humboldt High School; Jancy Davis, math teacher at Manhattan Senior High School; Victoria Lynch, instructional coach at John Diemer Elementary School, Overland Park, in the Shawnee Mission School District; Kinsey Volk, elementary music teacher at Bickerdyke Elementary School in Russell; Leah Ward, second-grade teacher at Ray Marsh Elementary School, Shawnee, in the Shawnee Mission School District; Angela Johnson, seventh-grade math teacher at Spring Hill Middle School; and Jada Stringfield, kindergarten and first-grade special education teacher at Seltzer Elementary School in Wichita.
Debbie Mercer, dean of the K-State College of Education, said the funding will help the teachers expand their community involvement in new ways. She said the program is not only impactful to the community but also enhances K-State's teacher preparation program by providing meaningful examples of community engagement.
"This was a highly competitive process," Mercer said. "These communities are being served by educators who stood out as scholars and now are shining stars in the profession."
Here's a look at each teacher and service project:
Reid, a choir teacher, serves as the Southeast Kansas Music Educators Association District High School Choir chair and will use the award to bring the power of music to rural areas of Kansas. As a part of her activities in this role, she will secure an accompanist and clinician for a day of learning and singing that will conclude with a concert for family, friends and community members.
As a virtual educator, Meiwes strives to meet her students — teenagers and adults — wherever they are, literally and figuratively. She is developing guided early childhood activities for students who bring their children with them to school meetings and developing guided educational activities that the parents and children can do at home. The majority of her students are completing their high school degrees online due to a number of life situations.
A nationally certified math teacher, Davis is developing after-hours math tutoring and assistance for students in both face-to-face and online formats. She also is offering international travel opportunities for high school students during the summer months and plans to include pre-service teachers from the K-State College of Education. Their involvement is designed to provide the future teachers with a hands-on opportunity to plan and navigate the complexities of coordinating travel abroad.
Volk plans to serenade the residents of Russell with the Bickerdyke Bunch, a group of elementary singers and musicians. The after-school choir will perform at locations such as the local nursing home and play local concerts with their ukuleles.
Lynch's project revolves around reimagining Chat and Chew, a PTA-sponsored reading enhancement program for students in the second through sixth grades. Passionate about social justice, Lynch intends to ensure all students can participate by acquiring books to give to students. Once they have read them, Lynch and trained parent volunteers will lead quarterly book discussions designed to instill a love of reading.
Johnson plans to initiate Mindful Mavericks, a school club focusing on positive mental health practices and learning about community resources. The group's monthly meetings will involve learning activities, a food drive and visits from community presenters.
Stringfield plans to share her expertise by designing professional learning opportunities for other educators. By creating sustainable support systems for private schools, Stringfield will help ensure that all students benefit as she shares strategies to support each learner's needs.
