“What an opportunity I have to start them on their career paths,” says longtime Ellis kindergarten teacher Stacy Befort.  She’s the USD 388 District Teacher of the Year and a Region I semi-finalist for state Teacher of the year.

Thursday, Befort was host to the Kansas Teacher of the Year visiting team, which toured Washington Grade School and Ellis High School.

The six members of the KTOY Teacher Team are from Great Bend, Pratt, Dodge City and Liberal.

Laurie Harwood has been teaching Great Bend fourth-graders for 26 years.  Although she’s now teaching the sons and daughters of her first students, Harwood says she still has a lot to learn.  And that’s the purpose of the KTOY visiting team–to see what works, and what doesn’t, in other Kansas classrooms.

Harwood is impressed with the Ellis grade school atmosphere.  “I really liked the third grade Daily Five, and character education,” she says.  Technology is changing many teaching methods.  “We saw the kindergarten students using smartboards,” adds Harwood.

USD 388 Superintendent Bob Young accompanied the KTOY visitors.  “We have a good mix of veteran teachers and young teachers in Ellis,” he says, “and Mrs. Befort is a good representation of  what we’re doing for our community.”