By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — If you drove by the McPherson County Courthouse and the adjoining Memorial Park to the west you no doubt saw a lot of people around that area. Those people were all teachers, taking part in a STEAM training supported by the Ketcherside Family Foundation.
One of the participants was Rhonda Duggan of Wichita, who teaches in Newton and told Ad Astra News this deals with Science, Technology, Art, Engineering and Math, allowing teachers to blend all of these topics into their classes.
One teacher we spoke with came from Topeka. Mary St. John is an art teacher, and she told us she wants to gain new resources and lessons for her classroom along with meeting with other teachers.
A number of the participants came from McPherson County including Bethany Shanewetter, who said she hopes to gain different ideas she can use in the classroom. Another teacher in the group was Megan Hanson from Pretty Prairie, who said their purpose for being at the Courthouse and Memorial Park was to explore its architecture, horticulture and sculptures.
The Ketcherside Family Foundation honors the memory of long-time McPherson elementary school teacher Norene Ketcherside, who was active in the promotion of fine arts, including projects connected with USD 418’s extensive art collection. Some of its work is supported through the McPherson County Community Foundation.
