​Valley Center High School English teacher and KATE member, Aaron Miller, was the recipient of a 2023 Horizon Award as part of the Kansas Horizon Award Program, offered through the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). This was the first KEEN Conference held since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

The Horizon Award is a special recognition program for Kansas teachers who exhibit excellent teaching skills and work tirelessly to enhance the learning experience of their students. The award is given to teachers who show exceptional performance in areas such as leadership, professional development, and student growth. Miller was one of sixteen secondary teachers to receive this award for 2023.

When asked what parts of his classroom instruction helped him to stand out from the pool of applicants, Miller expressed that “I try to be a well-rounded teacher who embraces many forms of instruction. My goal for each day is to accommodate each type of learner in my classroom and ensure that I am teaching to the style they learn best. One of my strengths as a teacher is the ability to build relationships with students. I am a firm believer that students do not learn from people they do not like. Through getting to know my students, I am able to accomplish so much with them in terms of content. It is never boring in [room] C-41!”

Miller was equally impressed with the KEEN conference, which he attended on February 16 and 17, 2023. He spoke highly of the conference's sessions, which provided many great ideas to incorporate into his classroom. He found the presenters and his fellow attendees to be inspiring, and he is looking forward to attending future conferences.

Miller's CV reflects his commitment to education, with a Bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education from Wichita State University, and he is currently pursuing a Master's of Education with a reading specialist emphasis from Fort Hays State University. Additionally, he serves on the Social Emotional Learning committee for USD 262, where he helps teachers in the district incorporate SEL practices into their classrooms.

The Kansas Association of Teachers of English is thrilled to congratulate Miller on this achievement and recognition as a winner of the 2023 Horizon Award. We are proud to have him as a member and look forward to his continued success in the field of education. 

You can contact Aaron via email at Valley Center High School.

​On January 14th, educators from the Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE) gathered at Reverie Roasters in downtown Wichita for a casual chat, friendship, and some shop talk. The meeting, which was held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, provided an opportunity for educators to catch up with each other and discuss their current years. The group discussed life changes they were experiencing and shared what they were currently reading.

One of the main topics of discussion was literature, and several novels were mentioned, including Jason Reynold's Long Way Down and Jaqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming. These novels, both written in verse, were praised for their powerful storytelling and thought-provoking themes. The group also discussed ways to diversify the texts they were using in the classroom, mentioning novels such as Refugee by Alan Gratz and Jackpot by Nic Stone.

The social was organized by KATE Vice President and Membership Chair, Shayn Guillemette, who expressed his hope that the small turnout was just the beginning of greater things to come. "We have to start somewhere," he said. Deb McNemee of Andover Public Schools, also attended the social, as did KATE President Nathan Whitman.

Despite a small turnout, the group is optimistic for the March social on the 25th at the Artichoke in Wichita.

The Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE) held its spring executive board meeting on February 18, 2023, at the Salina Public Library in Salina, KS.

Reports were presented by members on various KATE initiatives, including Voices of Kansas, Kansas English, William Allen White Awards, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), NCTE, KATE PAGES, Website, Financial, and a Membership Update. 

Several action items and follow-ups were discussed during the meeting, including a resignation and follow-through regarding responsibilities within the PR Committee and its newly created playbook. The Conference Committee was also discussed, with monthly meetings beginning and full conference preparation underway.

Other to-dos discussed included outreach to new teachers and conducting a survey to understand why some members did not attend the conference and how to attract more people to it. The board also discussed reviewing the cycle of leadership as something to consider toward the upcoming summer and fall executive board meetings so as to preserve institutional knowledge and also attract and keep members on the executive board.

The meeting ended with a tentative date being set for both KATE Camp and the summer executive board meeting: June 21, 2023, with the board meeting taking place from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, lunch from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, and Camp from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. More details to come regarding location. 

Afterwards, those in attendance in-person hit up the Salina downtown for lunch at The Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina and perusal of books at the Ad Astra Books & Coffee house!