Two Missouri Educators Among Five Inductees for National Teachers Hall of Fame

04/11/13

Two Missouri teachers are among the five educators nationwide named to the National Teachers Hall of Fame for 2013.

Smithville teacher Darryl Johnson and Blue Springs teacher Beth Vernon were honored Tuesday by the Hall of Fame, located in Emporia, Kan. The announcements were made during an assembly at each teacher's school.

"Congratulations to Mr. Johnson and Ms. Vernon for this recognition," said Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro. "These teachers are fine examples of the quality educators we need in every classroom."

Johnson, an English teacher at Smithville High School, was Missouri's 2007 Teacher of the Year. Vernon, an earth and space science teacher at Brittany Hill Middle School in the Blue Springs School District, was a Disney American Teacher in 2000 and was a participant in Missouri's STARR Teacher Program from 2006-2008.

This year's inductees will be honored at a reception in May in Washington, D.C. A banquet and induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame facility will be held in June.

Founded in 1989, the National Teachers Hall of Fame highlights exceptional PreK-12 teachers through a museum, teacher resource center and recognition program. Since 1992,  five teachers have been named to the Hall of Fame each year. Educators from 34 states and the District of Columbia have been recognized.

Missouri has had one other teacher inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dr. Debra Peppers, an English teacher from Lindbergh High School, was honored in 1999.

The National Teachers Hall of Fame is the only facility of its kind dedicated to recognizing career teachers, preserving and promoting education, and inspiring others to enter the teaching profession. For more information about the Hall of Fame visit www.nthf.org/.