Linda Alston

Winning the KIPP/ Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award of an unrestricted $100,000.00, the largest amount ever awarded a teacher as a personal gift in United States history, in 2006 is but one highlight of the 25 years that Linda Alston has taught in public and private education. "Children are our master teachers," says Alston, who is now a reading intervention specialist at Farrell B. Howell Elementary School in Denver. Previously a teacher at the Maria Mitchell Montessori Elementary School, also in Denver, Alston organized six inner-city Montessori Child Development Centers, one of them for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. In 1985 she traveled as a Fulbright Scholar to Sierra Leone, West Africa-an experience that she describes as a spiritual homecoming. It was there that she began her lifelong relationship with the students  in whom she continues to instill a yearning for excellence and a desire to become their "most magnificent selves." In 2005; Ms. Alston volunteered in schools and orphanages in Meru, a small village in Kenya, with students whose parents have died from aids.  She is the author of the inspiring, touching and profoundly eloquent new book, "Why We Teach: Learning, Laughter, Love and the Power to Transform Lives" published by Scholastic, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-0-545-04705-0 (Order here). Ms. Alston is an international education consultant and inspirational/transformational public speaker.  She can be reached at email:riversedje@aol.com  

She is also the winner of the  Dr. Albert C. Yates Educator Award, the Milken National Educator Award, and the Walt Disney American Teacher Award. Ms. Alston clings to the words of the great educator Loris Malaguzzi, "Nothing with Joy!"

Michael Geisen

Because of his innovative approach, community focus, and teamwork with other teachers, Geisen was named 2008 National Teacher of the Year by President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony on April 30, 2008. Also recognized at this event were the 2008 state teachers of the year.

Geisen, a science teacher at Crook County Middle School in Prineville, Oregon, is the 58th National Teacher of the Year. He will begin a year as a full-time national and international spokesperson for education on June 1, 2008.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Forest Resource Management from the University of Washington in 1996, graduating magna cum laude. He began his professional career as a forester but while this was satisfying work for a while, eventually he missed the direct connection with people.

Geisen earned a Master of Arts in Teaching, with a science endorsement, from Southern Oregon University in 2001 and began teaching that fall at Crook County Middle School.

Ronda Hassig

Ronda Hassig holds Master’s degrees in both Education and Media Technology, and received her National Board Certification in the fall of 2003.  As a practicing middle school library media specialist since 1990, following five years as a social studies teacher in an inner-city high school and alternative high school, she has been on the staff of Harmony Middle School in Overland Park, Kansas since 1992.  In 1993, the Blue Valley School District Library Media Centers, including Harmony Middle School, were recognized as the National School Library Media Program of the Year.  Ms. Hassig has co-authored several books and is a member of the Greater Kansas City’s Holocaust Teaching Cadre and Kansas Exemplary Education Network.  She is a regional director for the Kansas NBCTs.  She was recently recognized as a Kansas Master Teacher and won the AASL National Collaborative Library Award in April.  She feels that education is the most important profession in the world because it prepares students to be world changers.

Jensi Kellogg-Andrus

Jensi Kellogg-Andrus, 2005 South Dakota Teacher of the year, is in her 20th year teaching and currently teaches Advanced Placement Biology and Freshmen Biology at Watertown High School in Watertown, SD.  She was also named South Dakota Outstanding Biology Teacher through the National Association of Biology Teachers in 2007.  She also teaches anatomy at Lake Area Technical Institute which has articulated credit with South Dakota State University and will be teaching an AP Biology online course to rural students in her state next year.  She presents to local school districts and conferences on a variety of topics including integrating technology into the classroom, using a variety of instructional strategies to increase student achievement, how to teach science using inquiry methods, and motivational presentations to inspire teachers to be the best they can be to help all students learn.  She also serves as a Literacy Mentor and Technology Coach in her district.  She is currently obtaining her master’s degree in Educational Technology from Dakota State University. 

  Esther Wojcicki