Carmi-White County students earned awards totaling $1.9 million and the next day NCOE students were awarded more than $1.4 million. Many were also recognized for their achievements and acknowledged for citizenship and effort. Thursday at Kiwanis in Carmi, the club turned their attention to the Unit 5 educators and support staff who help those youngsters develop into the people they’ll become and hopefully help drive the community forward into the future.
Since 1968, the Carmi Kiwanis Club has handed out Educator of the Year awards annually showing some love for a standout teacher. The club began recognizing a support staff member of the year in 2021 distinguishing a non-certified member who helps the district and children.
Luke Sailer, the club President, had the honor of announcing the newest entries in a storied tradition. Becky Clayton is retiring from the Unit 5 as a secretary at Brownsville Attendance Center where she’s spent the last 8 years, though she started with the district in 1999 (hired by Dave Johnson).
I told Kathy (Price) earlier I felt like I’d been thrown into a pack of wolves. I thought ‘I can’t do this’. But I stuck it out and then later, Mr. Brad Lee said just hang out and I was hired as a secretary. I did that and then my sweet little grandson came along and I got to watch him. Then, a position opened at Brownsville and I thought ‘I really want that job’ and I messaged Kathy and said ‘I’d really be interested in that job’. She said she thought she had that job covered and I thought no, I think that job’s for me and I was so fortunate she did hire me. It has been an amazing 8 years. I love those kids so much. I love everyone that works there. We’re just a big family. It’s so hard to leave, but thank you, I just can’t believe this.
A nomination for Erica Zieren, the 2026 Educator of the Year award winner, noted the writer has been inspired by her intelligence, dedication, and unwavering commitment to both her students and the school community. Zieren has served as a vital resource not only in mathematics, but in technology as well. She was instrumental in securing and implementing a STEM grant that led to the remodeling of the high school library. In addition to academic advancement, Zieren is also found assisting with drama productions, art shows, and FFA activities.
Zieren was overcome with emotion in accepting the award.
Teaching is an emotional rollercoaster. Yesterday, when they left my room I was ready to walk out the door and not go back to be honest. And today, sitting in the auditorium, listening to them make their plans for their senior year. My daughter is going to be a senior so it’s hitting me hard. But just watching them grow up and doing anything I can to help them be successful in life, whether it’s working on ACT scores, college applications, scholarship applications, I wouldn’t do anything else.
Coming up next Thursday, Kiwanis will get a preview on the annual White County Fair Queen pageant.
Kiwanis Educator of the Year History
1968 – Floyd Cotter
1969 – John Evers
1970 – Beulah Huber
1971 – Wave Jamerson
1972 – Marie Harrawood
1973 – Charles Hortin
1974 – Adamae Roosevelt
1975 – Faye Mitchell
1976 – Mike Croghan
1977 – Ernest Fechtig
1978 – Dean Hughes
1979 – Bill Duncan
1980 – Bernice Dartt
1981 – Mary Maze
1982 – Peggy Huff
1983 – Ted Matsel
1984 – Larry Busch
1985 – Simon Naas
1986 – Don Dixon
1987 – Ken Hurt
1988 – Steve Martin
1989 – Steve Bell
1990 – Cindy Martin
1991 – Trudy Jacobs
1992 – Dale Medlin
1993 – Don Kittinger
1994 – Nancy Gher
1995 – Alice Bryant
1996 – Don Garrett
1997 – Dave Johnson
1998 – Betty Brown
1999 – Molly Rawlinson
2000 – C. Dean Hughes
2001 – Kenneth Brown
2002 – Dr. Frank Barbre
2003 – Jack Russell
2004 – Larry Gwaltney
2005 – Melanie Allyn
2006 – Judy Gaines
2007 – Cindy Colman
2008 – Cathy Wilkey
2009 – Sharon Martin
2010 – Sharon Whitsitt
2011 – Judy Warrick
2012 – Teresa Hon
2013 – Terry Gholson
2014 – Barbara McArthy
2015 – Joan Wallace
2016 – Cindy Hoskins
2017 – Alex Aud
2018 – Gina Sailer
2019 – Leanett Lovell
2020 – William Knight
2021 – Carol Potter
Support Staff of the Year – Kay Ridenour
2022 – Amy Dixon
Support Staff of the Year – Randy Warrick
2023 – Amy Rice
Support Staff of the Year – June Acord
2024 – Stacy Simon
Support Staff of the Year – Mark Renshaw
2025 – Craig Winter
Support Staff of the Year – Dee Stone