Manhattan, Kansas - The Kansas Association of American Educators (KANAAE) is pleased to welcome its new Executive Director, veteran educator, and award winning coach Mr. Garry Sigle. Sigle comes to KANAAE after a 33 year teaching and coaching career at Riley County High School in Riley, Kansas. A charter member of KANAAE, this summer Mr. Sigle transitioned from a KANAAE board member to become KANAAE's Executive Director, filling the position previously held by the late Doug Barnett.
A committed teacher with a knack for developing champion athletes, Sigle was the head girls and boys cross country and track and field coach. His teams won a total of twelve state championships-seven in girls cross-country, three in boys cross-country, and one each in girls and boys track and field. In addition to coaching, Sigle taught woodworking and drafting, and was awarded the 1998 Wal-Mart Area Teacher of the Year.
Sigle is a 1978 graduate of Fort Hays State University where he was a five-time NAIA All-American in cross-country and track and field. In 2010, Sigle was inducted into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame.
"Garry has devoted his career to his students and community," said Gary Beckner, Executive Director of the Association of American Educators, KANAAE's national partner. "While his retirement is a loss to his school, his transition to lead KANAAE is a gain for all teachers in Kansas. Garry has time and again displayed the strong leadership and dedication to innovation required to take KANAAE to the next level."
One of Sigle's main goals will be to develop KANAAE into the premier teacher association in Kansas, giving educators a non-union alternative to teacher labor unions. "We have to have a two-pronged approach for expansion in Kansas," Sigle said in looking forward to his new role with KANAAE. "We must reach current teachers so they are aware of KANAAE as a much-preferred option, and we must reach out to student teachers so they see us as the preferred choice for professional liability coverage."
Sigle is eager to work with educators in a new capacity, sharing the need for a non-union, non-partisan alternative to for professional educators. "KANAAE and AAE represent who I am as an individual and as a teacher," remarked Sigle. "I look forward to sharing with educators statewide about the benefits of being a KANAAE member."
The Kansas Association of American Educators is a statewide, non-union, professional educators' association, offering an alternative to the partisan politics and non-educational agendas of the teacher labor unions. KANAAE does not endorse, support or contribute to any political cause or candidacy. KANAAE provides member benefits including a $2 million individual liability insurance policy, legal protection, and professional development. KANNAE welcomes professionals from all education entities. Membership is $15 per month.
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