Washington Elementary instructional coach Jennifer Fallin was named one of seven state-wide 2024 Kansas Master Teachers on Thursday morning by Emporia State University. “It is truly an amazing honor to be named a member of the 2024 Kansas Master Teacher Class, knowing that our district has so many outstanding teachers who deserve this recognition. Just to be nominated and then selected is kind of surreal. I’m really proud and grateful that I get to represent our district,” said Fallin.
By being chosen for the 2024 class, Fallin becomes the third-straight Geary County Schools USD 475 teacher to claim the prestigious honor. She is also the 10th individual in USD 475 history to be named a member of the Kansas Master Teachers.
Fallin was chosen alongside Bre McGranahan of USD 229, Erica Threatt of USD 480, Jessica Brown of USD 497, Jessica Buchanan of USD 266, Lindsey Dowell of USD 437 and Sara Hoffman of USD 233. Fallin, who has been in the district and at Washington Elementary for 11 years, brings a wealth of knowledge to the classroom as she currently works with all grades at Washington as a multi-tiered system of supports instructional coach. She previously taught fourth and fifth grade students from 2013 through 2022.The Burlington, Kansas native, who was described by a co-worker as having a combination of passion, expertise, and a genuine desire to cultivate a love for learning, is currently the USD 475 SIT Coordinator. During her tenure, Fallin, who has served as a mentor and guide for fellow educators throughout the district, was named a semifinalist for the 2023 Kansas State Department of Education Kansas Teacher of the Year Award.
Through the support of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, each Master Teacher will be presented with a check for $1,000.The recipients were selected by a committee including representatives from the Kansas Association of Principals, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Parent Teacher Organization, Kansas National Education Association, United School Administrators, ESU’s Kappa Delta Pi student organization and representatives of the 2023 Kansas Master Teacher class.
The 2024 Master Teachers will be honored on Master Teacher Day on Wednesday, April 3, at Emporia State University. As part of several recognition activities, Fallin will tour the National Teachers Hall of Fame, one room schoolhouse and participate in the How We Teach This Podcast. She will also be honored during a social hour at 5:45 p.m. in Webb Hall Lobby of Emporia State’s Memorial Union followed by a banquet and award ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in Webb Hall. Tickets for the dinner cost $25, and reservations are required by Friday, March 22. For more information, go to www.emporia.edu/masterteacher.
ESU established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1954. The awards are presented annually to selected teachers who demonstrate the attributes of exemplary professional educators. Since 1980, Bank of America has pledged more than $100,000 to permanently endow the Kansas Master Teacher awards. In 1984, the Black family of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, established an endowed chair for Kansas Master Teachers. The fund provides a stipend to bring two Master Teachers to Emporia State for several days. During this time, the teachers present to classes of education students and are members of the Kansas Master Teachers Selection Committee.
475 Master Teacher Honorees
1961 - Jane E. Roether (Junction City)
1988 - Bonnie Weingart (Fort Riley)
1989 - Ada Ligia R. Paquette (Junction City)
1992 - Beth Bergsten (Junction City)
2007 - Angela Miller (Junction City)
2012 - Jodi Testa (Junction City)
2017 - Joan Hayden (Geary County)
2022 - Bryan Scruggs (Geary County)
2023 - Melissa Hall (Geary County)
2024 - Jennifer Fallin (Geary County)