BCCEA Names Miles Erpelding as 2025 Master Teacher

The Butler Community College Education Association (BCCEA) has named Criminal Justice professor Miles Erpelding as this year’s recipient of the Master Teacher Award. 

The BCCEA has annually recognized an outstanding faculty member since 1973 to showcase instructors who exemplify the qualities of student engagement, scholarship, excellent teaching skills and service to both the college and BCCEA. 

“I’m extremely grateful and flattered. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my former Master Teachers and current colleagues for shaping and molding my teaching career,” Erpelding said. “I will do my best to pay it forward by mentoring new and future instructors here at Butler.” 

As a lifetime resident of El Dorado, Kansas and an active member of the Butler community for over 30 years, Erpelding is currently the committee coordinator of the Criminal Justice Advisory Commitee and a member of the Student Review and Appeals Committee. Erpelding has also served as a member of the Kansas Collegiate Law Enforcement Academy as an Academy Advisor, is an active team member of Butler County C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) and acts as a board member of the 13th Judicial District Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board.  

“Miles goes above and beyond for his students, staying relevant in the classroom, attending conferences, keeping up with technological advances, trying out new teaching strategies, and always at the ready to promote his students and acknowledge their successes,” Kamielle Freeman, BCCEA President, said. “For over 30 years, he has kept his passion for teaching alive, [extending] his energies to not only his teaching and his students but also to his colleagues with a trademark [smile]!” 

The Butler Community College Foundation hosted an event honoring Erpelding on May 1.  

“Criminal justice is an applied discipline. We do not only teach students about criminal justice, we help prepare them to do justice out there in the ‘real world,’” Erpelding expressed. “What we teach matters, and how to engage and inspire change with students really matters.” 

Erpelding received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Administration of Justice from Wichita State University.