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KNEA teacher nominated for national teaching excellence award

Wamego kindergarten teacher Roxie Peterson is Kansas' nominee for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. The award recognizes teachers from across the nation for their instructional expertise, creativity and innovation in the classroom, as well as for their leadership skills.

Central Elementary School, where Peterson teaches, will receive a $1,000 gift from the NEA Foundation as a result of her nomination. Of the nominees from the 50 states, five will be selected as finalists and will receive a personal gift of $10,000 from the NEA Foundation and The Horace Mann Companies.  The winner will receive an additional $25,000, courtesy of NEA. All the nominees will be honored at an NEA Foundation sponsored gala on February 8, 2007, in Washington, D.C.

Former KNEA President Christy Levings, who nominated Peterson, sees her as an exceptional teacher. "Roxie has been a leader in her school district by not only demonstrating the need for educators to be lifelong learners, but also in researching and implementing new strategies and techniques of learning."

Central Elementary School Principal Jeanne Stroh recommended the 32-year teaching veteran for the nomination. "Roxie is highly motivated, intelligent and her professional knowledge is sound.  Time after time, she has shown her potential, ability, character and leadership throughout the professional community," said Stroh. "Roxie is dedicated to helping all her students be the best they can be both socially and academically."

Peterson has shown a strong commitment to her local, state and national associations throughout her professional career. She is a 2006 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist.   

"It's always exciting to recognize the work of dedicated and successful educators," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence allows all of us to honor truly outstanding teachers and to remember that they are representative of the vast number of school employees who go to school each morning totally dedicated to creating great public schools for every child."

The Foundation is the grant-giving arm of the National Education Association and is funded by an annual $1 contribution from NEA's 3.2 million members as well as by contributions from corporate partners.

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