The Kansas Teachers of Promise for the fall semester convened in Wichita on Nov. 22 for the annual workshops led by the 2015 Kansas Teacher of the Year finalists. Sterling College named Elizabeth Soliday of Estes Park, Colorado, and Morgan Walton of Sterling, Kansas, as their fall representatives.

Criteria for the Teachers of Promise award relate to the key elements of the Sterling Teacher Education Program and include IDEAL attributes of integrity, dependability, effective communication, appropriate attitude and leadership.

Soliday is an elementary education major. She played on the soccer team and participated in the multicultural club for her first two years at Sterling, 2011-2012. She traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, with the soccer team on a mission trip in 2012 and has also been involved with Love Sterling every spring.

“When working through a degree it can be hard to know if you are actually prepared – if you can do it, if you know what you need to know. After attending the workshop put on by the amazing Kansas Teacher of the Year team, I realized that the Sterling education department has done an excellent job of preparing me for a career in teaching. Being able to attend the workshop and banquet and hearing from outstanding, passionate teachers was so incredibly inspiring. I can't wait to start my own teaching career,” said Soliday.

Walton, an elementary education major, is the director of Sterling Kids After School and Sterling Kids Camp at Sterling Elementary School. She will be leaving this position at the end of December though, to complete her clinical teaching experience.

Upon returning from her day with the Kansas Teachers of the Year team, Walton said, “I truly enjoyed this experience. The experiences, stories and advice given to us by the highest educators in our state are something I will bring into my future classroom. I will remember the important information provided for us today as I begin my rewarding career in education.”

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.