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Pitt State Honors Local Educators

The Pittsburg State University College of Education will honor a teacher and an administrator for distinguished service at a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. today in McCray Recital Hall. Additionally, the college will recognize two teachers for their achievements in the first years of their careers. Those awards, along with some student awards, will be a part of the annual Clyde U. Phillips awards ceremony.

The 2006 Clyde U. Phillips Award for distinguished service to a teacher went to Tom Compton, a teacher at St. Mary's-Colgan High School. Compton has been associated with Colgan for 23 years and has taught math, history, geography, economics, government and a number of religion classes. Since receiving his master's degree in secondary school counseling from PSU in 1991, Compton also served as the school counselor at Colgan.

Compton's co-workers applauded his willingness to serve on numerous committees and his expertise in technology has enabled the district to keep pace with changing computer and information technology.

While he is not in the classroom, Compton is often on the court with the junior high basketball team, where he has coached since 1986.

Matthew Wendt, assistant superintendent for Pittsburg USD 250, won the 2006 Clyde U. Phillips Award for distinguished service for an administrator.

Wendt has been with the Pittsburg school district for six years. As assistant superintendent, he focuses on curriculum development and instructional excellence for the district. In the past five years, Wendt has overseen a review of every curricular area to ensure compliance with the current state of Kansas standards.

After completing his bachelor's degree in English from PSU in 1990, Wendt completed a master's degree in educational administration at Kansas State University. He then received his doctorate in education leadership and administration from the University of Arkansas in 2004.

Wendt spends time volunteering in a variety of community endeavors. He is the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is also chairman of the PSU Pittsburg Alumni Chapter.

Each year PSU recognizes on elementary school teacher and one secondary school teacher through the Clyde U. Phillips Outstanding Educator Awards. These awards are presented to individuals who have shown, within their first seven years of service, the potential to make significant contributions to education.

The 2006 Clyde U. Phillips Outstanding Educator Award for the elementary level went to Tim Vesco, a teacher at Frank Layden Elementary School in Frontenac. Jamie Reagan, a seventh- and eighth-grade reading teacher at Frontenac Junior-Senior High School received the secondary level award.

After earning his bachelor's degree in elementary education from PSU in 2001, Vesco began teaching at Frank Layden, where he has taught for the past five years.

Vesco's colleagues said he "generates a positive learning environment throughout his classroom by he contagious enthusiasm. His classroom has many eye-catching displays to encourage his students to learn. Tim has a way of making coming to school an adventure for his students."

Reagan earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 2002 and is working on her master's degree in reading and a reading specialist degree at PSU. She plans on completing both degrees in Fall 2008.

Reagan was recognized for her work ethic and her knowledge of the subject matter. She was also recognized for how she uses teaching strategies to reach her students. Reagan's students score extremely well on state assessment tests but learn what is necessary to be well-rounded readers.

The Clyde U. Phillips awards were established in memory of Clyde U. Phillips, a PSU graduate and a well-known Kansas educator. Phillips met his wife, Fern Field Phillips, when they were both PSU students. The school was then known as the Kansas State College of Pittsburg.

He completed his career in education as the superintendent of schools in Hays. In their will, the Phillips bequeathed a sum of money to support the awards.

The Morning Sun, (www.morningsun.net) May 03 , 2006