HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 held its annual convocation Monday with more than 900 staff members attending.

Several educators were honored during the event. The Davis Foundation made its annual Teachers of the Year Awards. The elementary winners were Heather Ramos, a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, and Glinda Theus, a third-grade teacher at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

The middle school winner was Kendall Vogts, English language arts teacher at Hutchinson Middle School – 8.

The high school winners were Judy Goetz, English teacher at Hutchinson High School, and Brian McCandless, a science teacher at HHS.

Each winner receives $4,000. The Davis Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to Hutchinson Public Schools’ staff and students since its first scholarships were awarded to HHS seniors 61 years ago. This is the 37th time the awards have been made to teachers. Since the first awards, Davis has made awards of more than $450,000 to USD 308 teachers.

Robin Getting, secretary at Graber Elementary School, was recognized as the Classified Employee of the Year.

Angela Allen, Head Start teacher, and Laura Benscheidt, health sciences teacher at the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy, have been nominated as the district’s entries in the Kansas National Teacher of the Year competition.

During the morning, staff heard from new Superintendent Mike Folks in his inaugural convocation presentation. They also heard from LaDonna Gatlin, a motivational speaker. Gatlin’s appearance was sponsored by First National Bank Hutchinson.

Students in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade return to school on Thursday, Aug. 15. High school sophomores through seniors begin the year on Friday, Aug. 16.