Marlene Clayton, lead teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School in Ellinwood, Kan., and Newman University graduate, has been named “Teacher of the Year” for the Diocese of Dodge City. Clayton received the award at the Kansas Association of Independent and Religious Schools Teacher of the Year Banquet held in Topeka Feb. 2.
“I was really surprised to receive the award,” Clayton said, “and very humbled.”
Clayton is a 2001 graduate of Newman University, and began teaching at St. Joseph in 2002. In addition to teaching English and religion classes, Clayton handles administrative duties.
Clayton continues the school’s tradition of keeping its lessons rooted in the teachings of Jesus.
“Students are nurtured to develop a love for others as well as themselves, all along striving towards high academic achievement,” she wrote on the diocesan Web site. “St. Joseph School boasts a legacy of high academic achievement with a focus on God.”
In her nomination letter, Superintendent of Schools Trina Delgado wrote, “Marlene is an extremely compassionate, level-headed, faith-filled woman. She seems to have been made to be a teacher… [she] deals with all situations that arise in the position as teacher and school administrator with class, diligence, and humor… she personifies the role of faith leader.”
Clayton was born and raised near Pilsen, Kan.
