2010 National Teacher of the Year to Speak at Kent State

Iowa native Sarah Brown Wessling, who was recognized by President Obama as the 2010 National Teacher of the Year, will present a Gerald H. Read Distinguished Lecture at Kent State University on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 4:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva.

Wessling teaches 10th-12th grade English classes at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa. The married mother of three is a graduate of Iowa State University and has taught for 11 years.

During the April 2010 White House Rose Garden ceremony in honor of Wessling, President Obama remarked, “Whether teaching basic writing to at-risk freshmen or literary theory to advance placement seniors, Wessling writes, ‘I see a story in every learner, unique and yearning to be read.’ That’s why she creates individualized podcasts for each student with extensive feedback on their papers — prompting one parent to report that his own writing had improved just by listening to her comments to his daughter. She also helped develop 15 new courses this year alone, taking into account a wide array of interests and learning styles. Her students don’t just write five paragraph essays, but write songs, public service announcements, film story boards and even grant proposals for their own not-for-profit organizations,” he said.

This lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Linda Robertson, Director of the Center for International & Intercultural Education in the College of Education, Health and Human Services, at lfrobert@kent.edu or call 330-672-0563.

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Media Contact: Dr. Linda Robertson, lfrobert@kent.edu, 330-672-0563