Contact: Ed Scantling, dean, College of Education, 308-865-8502, scantling@unk.edu
Kearney, Neb., April 15, 2013 – Three area educators will be inducted into the Academy for Teacher Excellence at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for P-12 School-Based Teacher Educators.
They are: Roger Thomsen, principal at Amherst High School, Jan Spellman, teacher at Horizon Middle School in Kearney, and Bob Bednar, school counselor at Pleasanton Public Schools.
“The 2013 class of inductees is very strong and representative of the many dedicated educators who commit themselves each year to working with future teachers from UNK,” said Ed Scantling, UNK College of Education dean. “We are indebted to them for their long-term work with our students.”
The inductees will be recognized by the UNK Advisory Council on Teacher Education during a program at 3:30 p.m. April 25 in the UNK Health and Sports Center room 150-151.
“The purpose of the academy is to recognize, reward and support the excellence that teacher educators demonstrate in the preparation of new professionals for the P-12 education profession,” Scantling said.
In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty member for the UNK history department, Roger Thomsen has worked with the UNK College of Education staff and faculty to place UNK students in his school for both student teaching and field experiences.
“Mr. Thomsen ensures that his faculty members are aware of the importance of these types of learning experiences,” Scantling said. “He is most deserving of this recognition because he consistently works to ensure that our UNK future teachers are well prepared for the real world.”
Jan Spellman, an eighth-grade math teacher at Horizon Middle School, has taught coursework for UNK and regularly works with UNK education students in her classroom.
“Ms. Spellman is an outstanding educator who consistently goes above and beyond when working with UNK students,” Scantling said. “She has been a great ambassador, not only for teaching candidates, but also for UNK.”
Bob Bednar, K-12 counselor, has been with Pleasanton Middle School for 33 years, and continues to impact many Pleasanton students and their families. Bednar is one of UNK’s longest-serving members of the Network of Partner Schools.
“Mr. Bednar leads by example as he establishes a professional and a personal rapport with each of the students that he works with making sure that their school day is a positive and successful experience,” Scantling said.
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-Adrianna Tarin
