Cassidy Puderbaugh of Coldwater, Kansas, and Holly (Harshberger) Westrup of Meade, Kansas, represented Sterling College as the spring Teachers of Promise at the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network Conference in Topeka on Feb. 10, 2017. The students were recognized at the annual awards banquet.

Each semester, two students who will be clinical teaching the following semester are selected according to criteria that relate to the key elements of the Sterling Teacher Education Program and include IDEAL attribute ratings for integrity, dependability, effective communication, appropriate attitude and leadership, along with content, professional and cumulative GPAs.

Sterling’s Teacher Education Program has many quality candidates that represent content knowledge, and the character traits that a servant leader educator should consistently demonstrate. Each college may only select two candidates to attend the KEEN conference. Cassidy has successfully balanced excellence in the music education and professional education courses and is on the path to affect future musicians in her classroom and definitely meets the criteria of a Teacher of Promise. Further, Holly is a conscientious student and enthusiastic future elementary teacher. Holly consistently displays compassion to students who need extra instruction and will provide a fun and stable classroom for every child. They both served as great representatives of Sterling College, and I consider them two of the ‘rock stars’ of our program,” said Dr. Karen Baehler, associate professor of education and co-chair of the education department.

The recipients of Teachers of Promise awards from across the state meet at the KEEN Conference to learn from the Kansas Teacher of the Year Team. Topics include classroom management, hands-on activities, and general theory in practice.

Westrup is currently the director of Kids Cove, the after-school children’s program in Sterling. She was previously involved in the choir and Highland Singers and was a Sterling Teacher Education Program representative. She has also participated in intramural sand volleyball.

“I am very honored to have been selected as a Teacher of Promise and be given the privilege of attending the KEEN Conference. Meeting with expert teachers and administrators was an experience I will never forget. It makes me hopeful for the future generations knowing what types of teachers are out there and that they truly care about their students well-being. My favorite part of the conference was being able to discuss different practices and ideas for improving schools and classrooms. When I become a teacher, I will do my best to help my students be well-rounded citizens who are equipped to go out into the world and make a difference,” said Westrup.

Puderbaugh transferred to Sterling College after earning her associate degree in music from Butler Community College in 2015. She has participated in Highland Singers and wind ensemble and is currently serving as the president of Music at Sterling College.

“After the KEEN Conference, I feel full of information. It was really encouraging to be rewarded as a Teacher of Promise and to see so many new and future teachers with passion for their work. I know I am entering a great community of people in the teaching profession. We discussed the “Kansas Can” program and many great ideas for developing classrooms to focus on the success of each student. I look forward to applying all that I've learned to my own classroom soon,” said Puderbaugh.

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.