11/22/16 kb
HAYS, Kan. -- Jordynn Gumm, a Concordia senior, and Nathan Worrell, El Dorado, a transition to teaching teacher, have been selected by the Department of Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University as its student Teachers of Promise.

They attended the 2017 Kansas Teacher of the Year Awards banquet in Wichita on Nov. 19.

Worrell, who holds a bachelor's degree in wood technology, is making the transition from private sector to technology education teacher. He is on track to complete FHSU's T2T (Transition to Teaching) program in May, when he will be eligible to seek a standard teaching license. As part of the transition, he is working at Flinthills Middle School and High School, Rosalia.

Each Kansas university and college was invited to select two teacher education students -- Teachers of Promise -- to attend. In addition to their invitation to the banquet, Gumm, Worrell and the other Teachers of Promise from around the state had the opportunity to participate in a professional development workshop conducted by the 2016 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team.

"FHSU has a strong tradition of teacher preparation," said Dr. Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education at Fort Hays State. "It is always a difficult choice to choose our Teachers of Promise. It is a great honor to recognize Nathan and Jordynn for their potential as teachers."