The One in a Million campaign seeks to raise $1 million for the National Teacher’s Hall of Fame in Visser Hall, room 115.
“It was started as another way to recognize and thank all the amazing teachers out there that make differences in people’s lives,” said Jade Sparks, senior communication major. “It is an incredible thing to be able to nationally thank a teacher, and One in a Million is another way to get more teachers’ names out there.”
In addition to the T-shirts that were sold in the Memorial Union, Sparks said they were also sending out brochures to schools to spread the word about the NTHF and the campaign itself. She said they had also produced a YouTube video about the campaign, featuring both a professor and students at Emporia State.
Carol Strickland, executive director of the NTHF and professor of educational psychology, jokingly said that many visitors to the hall are surprised to learn of its existence, but there are so many interesting things for them to see.
“It’s kind of a walk back through history,” Strickland said. “There’s something exciting. They can find things they’ve never seen before.”
Strickland described some of the displays, such as antique books donated by alumni or generous strangers, the wall of fame, which displays the inductees and also the main displays for those recent inductees.
“I was inducted back in 2003,” she said. “I have a real passion for (the NTHF).”
On top of the campaign, the NTHF is embarking on another project.
Sarah Van Petten, senior communication major, said that the staff of the NTHF came up with an idea to erect a monument to honor educators who lost their lives.
“It’s being built in honor of all educators who have lost their lives while fulfilling their educational duties,” Van Petten said, “whether that be in a school shooting or visiting the moon.”
The memorial, Van Petten said, will resemble a large book with apple benches next to it and will be right off of Merchant Street below the one-room schoolhouse, visible from I-35.
Van Petten said ground will be broken in April with an unveiling in June.
In terms of the campaign itself, Strickland said they are still trying to reach their goal.
“We’re probably at about $700,” she said. “We’re working on it one teacher at a time. We’re optimistic.”
The NTHF is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and admission is free. Donations can be made at Nthf.org, and T-shirts can still be purchased there as well.
