Salina board honors two Teachers of the Year and students at March meeting

The Salina Public Schools Board of Education on March 10 recognized Janelle Stelter as elementary Teacher of the Year and Erica (presented in meeting materials as Bridal Kane) as secondary Teacher of the Year, and presented several superintendent excellence awards to students and coaches.

Janelle Stelter, introduced by a board representative, accepted the elementary award and recounted her route into special education, thanked mentors and principals including Krista Farrow and Tyler Burnett, and said she was “very grateful for this recognition.”

The board also introduced the secondary teacher honoree, who spoke about 29 years in special education and the importance of relationships and student voice. The teachers each received the H.E. Ermeline Nuss Teacher of the Year Award ($1,000) and additional gifts including a custom watch and donated certificates, the board said.

Lawton Nuss, identified in meeting materials as retired chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, addressed attendees about his family’s history of teaching and the legacy behind the Nuss award. The board noted that teachers’ photos will be displayed in the district hallway and thanked local donors who supported the recognition program.

The board also recognized student accomplishments: Central High junior Kaylee Schultz was introduced as the Kansas Gatorade Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year, and multiple students and coaches from South High and Central High were presented superintendent excellence awards for qualifying for state competition in bowling, e-sports and wrestling.

The meeting packet and board remarks listed the donors and community partners who supported awards and gifts.

The board moved on after the recognitions to the consent agenda and other business.