Humphreys Distinguished Ashland Teacher
Since 1977 a distinguished Ashland teacher has been recognized annually during high school graduation. The fund for the monetary gift accompanying this recognition was established in 1963 when J.E. Humphreys retired after serving 34 years as the Ashland Superintendent and Vinette Humphreys retired after teaching for 16 years. The fund was started by a group of AHS alumni and has been added to by alumni and members of the Humphreys family through the years.
Originally the fund was intended to award monetary scholarships to outstanding student scholars. Fourteen students received awards from 1963 to 1977. With the advent of the P.G. Abell Scholarship, it was decided the funds could be better used in another area and the Distinguished Ashland Teacher award was created.
The intent of the award is to express appreciation to the teacher honored, to remind the public that a necessary ingredient in quality education is good instruction, and to encourage other teachers to strive for further excellence in the profession.
The honorees are selected by a committee composed of high school students, in good standing, the majority of whom are members of the senior class, who shall have been students at Ashland schools for at least four years and who have maintained an academic average of at least a B. The committee selects three nominees who are then voted on by members of the senior class and the selection committee.
The honoree must have taught at Ashland for three full school years, have not received the award in the immediately preceding four years, and have demonstrated the following:
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success in exciting intellectual curiosity in their students, fellow teachers, and others; general excellence in teaching ability and methods
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concern for students, and the ability and willingness to show interest in and give time to the students and their problems
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concern for the quality of education in Ashland schools
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and concern for fostering responsible character in the Ashland community.
List of Honorees
1977 Tom Gilmore
1978 Doug Inderlied
1979 Sally McQuade
1980 Jane S. Shreve
1981 Leland N. Hill
1982 Tom Gilmore
1983 Larry Rich
1984 Duane Coats
1985 Sally McQuade
1986 Jane S. Shreve
James Gillaspie (AES)
1987 Tom Gilmore
1988 Kenneth Swanson
Carlene Culver (AES)
1989 Dwight Roper
1990 Steve Lenz
Diana Hass (AES)
1991 Sally McQuade
Beverly Gilmore (AES)
1992 Tom Gilmore
Janet Fast (AES)
1993 Don Plinsky
1994 Jane S. Rankin
1995 John Lee
1996 Stan Shewey
1997 Tom Gilmore
1998 Jan Fast
1999 Jane S. Rankin
2000 Bill Day
2001 Sally McNickle
2002 Leanne Pike
2003 John Lee
2004 Jane S. Rankin
2005 Jason Endicott
2006 Judy Cullen
2007 Leanne Pike
2008 Matt Scripsick
2009 Jane S. Rankin
2010 John Lee
2011 Jan Fast
2012 Vickie Haydock
2013 Leanne Pike
2014 Diane Willems
2015 Jessie Stebens
2016 Becky Luerman
2017 Kelly Hubbard
2018 Heidi Hazen
2019 Ben Fox
2020 Jessie Stebens
2021 Giles Fox
2022 Becky Luerman
2023 Haley Walker
2024 Jennifer Baker