Former Colby Community College student Maret (Peterson) Schrader was selected as a member of the 2017 Kansas Teacher of the Year team by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Schrader, a ninth-grade language arts teacher at Seaman High School in Topeka (USD 345), graduated from Colby High School in 2005 and CCC in 2007.

“Colby Community College provided me with the solid foundation I needed to be successful in college,” she said. “Specifically, my education classes with Carolyn May and my child development classes with Krista Carter solidified my passion to teach ‘when I grew up.’  It was because of caring teachers like them that I realized education was the right fit for me. 

After graduating from CCC, Schrader transferred to Emporia State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2009. Prior to her current position at Seaman, she taught sixth grade writing for a year in the Desoto district.

The Kansas Teacher of the Year team, comprised of the Teacher of the Year and state finalists, serve as ambassadors for education in Kansas, making public appearances across the state promoting education and the teaching profession.

“It has been an absolute pleasure representing all of the hard-working teachers of Kansas. While I don’t believe that I do anything particularly special, I am honored to be a voice of Kansas teachers showcasing how hard we all work day-in and day-out to ensure the success of our students.” 

For Schrader, education is continuous.  

“Not only am I always learning and growing, but I get a front row seat to students learning and growing. It’s rewarding that at the end of every day, I go to bed knowing I am doing what I was born to do.”