NTHF Induction 2026 and Updates

In June, the Class of 2026 traveled to Emporia —also known as Teacher Town USA — for Induction Week. Activities included:

• A tour of "Red Rocks" the William Allen White House State Historic Site
• Dinner with Emporia Hosts
• Accepting the City of Emporia Proclamation from the Mayor and City Council
• Emporia Tour hosted by Roger Heineken
• Welcome dinner sponsored by the Emporia State Federal Credit Union with a Trivia Challenge hosted by ESU Professor Darla Mallein
• Live KVOE Interview
• An interview with NTHF Inductee Terry Kaldhusdal for The ESU Teachers College's Podcast, How We Teach This
• The favorite ice cream social, Emporia Band Concert and Chicken Dance!
• Dinner with the NTHF Board of Trustees
• Memorial Rededication

The week was capped off with the National Teachers Hall of Fame Class of 2026 induction on Saturday, June 20th. The members of the Class of 2026 are:

• Margaret “Peg” Cagle, high school mathematics teacher at Reseda Charter Middle/High School and Science Magnet School in Reseda, California.
• Dr. Melyssa Ferro, middle school science teacher at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell, Idaho.
• Theresa Maughan, high school social studies teacher at East Orange STEM Academy in East Orange, New Jersey.
• Carla Neely, middle school science and social studies teacher at the Andrew J. Rickoff School in Cleveland, Ohio.
• Dr. Michael Anthony Pope, middle school math, science and gifted teacher for the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity in Japan.

During their acceptance speeches, all of the inductees expressed their extreme gratitude to their host families and to Emporians for the heartfelt welcome each inductee received.

The Association of Teacher Educators (ATE), a national leader in educator preparation and teacher education, is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). To learn more about ATE, see: https://www.ate1.org/ . This is a part-time position without benefits, anticipated at approximately 30 hours per week. Salary parameters and contract terms will be shared with candidates during the search process.

The CEO reports to the Board of Directors and works with the President, Board, Delegate Assembly, staff, members, units, committees, and external partners to advance ATE’s mission, strengthen member engagement, support organizational sustainability, and elevate ATE’s national presence. The CEO serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board of Directors and Delegate Assembly.