Mitzi Eyestone and Charlene Potter know they have made a difference in the lives of children.

Eyestone’s favorite moments as a teacher were seeing smiles on children’s faces and knowing that they enjoyed time in the classroom, while Potter enjoyed taking students outside to learn.

Having that kind of influence on children is one reason the two women were among inductees earlier this month into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in Dodge City.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” Eyestone said. “I just wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids.”

Eyestone, who grew up in Lawrence and is a Lawrence High School graduate, said some of her teaching inspiration started when she was young.

“Looking back on Lawrence, I always felt like I had a safe and comfortable learning environment,” she said.

Despite 25 years in the classroom, she has now moved on to a different role.

Eyestone is assistant principal at Frank Bergman Elementary School in Manhattan and a clinical instructor for Kansas State University, working with preservice teachers.

Potter, a former Marion Springs Elementary School teacher, has had a similar relationship with students and said she was honored to receive the award.

“It was kind of a nice closing,” Potter said. “I really do feel like I’ve done a pretty good job. I worked for 33 years and I gave it my all.”

During her 26 years at MSES in rural Douglas County, Potter didn’t keep her students inside all day.

She taught the basics while incorporating science and environmental aspects of the world.

However, at the end of the 2002 school year she retired from teaching.

“I thought the time was right,” Potter said. “I realized the time to teach like I wanted was getting smaller and smaller with the assessments. They were just starting then. I wasn’t sure that’s what I wanted to spend my last years doing.”

Kansas is home to two halls of fame recognizing the work of teachers.

The Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, which Eyestone and Potter are now members of, is in Dodge City, while the National Teachers Hall of Fame is in Emporia.