Former Peabody resident and longtime second-grade teacher Martha (Slocombe) Beauchamp was recently named Master Teacher of the Year for 2009 by the Arkansas City Teacher’s Association. Beauchamp teaches at Jefferson Elementary School in Arkansas City.

She was selected from a pool of nominees chosen by the Arkansas City Teacher’s Association.

“Impressions were made early in life that led me to teaching,” she said. “Educational values were instilled to set goals and work to achieve them.”

Her maternal grandparents were teachers and her mother, Nelle Slocombe, is still well remembered by many former Peabody Elementary School students.

After high school graduation she attended Hutchinson Community College, completed her bachelor’s degree at Emporia State University, and earned