1972 Award Winners

Biographies below were included in the program for the year listed here and were current as of that time.

Joseph Lee Bournonville

Geography Teacher

Lakeside Junior High School

USD 250 Pittsburg

Joseph Lee Bournonville, geography teacher at Lakeside Junior High in Pittsburg, is known throughout Pittsburg-by students and co-workers as "Bunk."

And each year, "Bunk's Bunch" is organized and dedicated to serving the community by being good examples.

The 65-year-old Bunk was born in Pittsburg and received his bachelors and masters degrees from Kansas State College. His undergraduate degree was awarded in 1934 and his master's in 1951. He also attended Kansas State Teachers College.

Bunk.taught at West Mineral High School and Cherokee County Community High School in Columbus. He joined the faculty at Lakeside in 1943 and has been there ever since.

A former athletic coach and physical education teacher, Bunk now teaches only geography. His classes are perhaps the most popular at Lakeside because as the students put it, "he lets us travel the world from our desks."

Mr. Bournonville is a member of the Pittsburg Education Association, Kansas-NEA and the National Education Association. He is also a member of the American Legion, Sunflower Kiwanis Club and the Midland District Boy Scout Council.

A veteran of World War II, Bunk was a four-year letterman while a student at Kansas State College. His philosophy since his playing days is a good one: "No matter whether you win or lose this game, you always win."

Mr. Bournonville started the first City Recreation Program in Pittsburg and began a swimming and baseball program with kids he found messing around with nothing to do.

Co-workers say Bunk is the teacher he is because of his never-ending ability to "bridge the generation gap."

One of the Master Teacher's main credos is that every adult must be honest. And students realize this saying, "We learn from Bunk because he respects our opinion too."

Bunk sees little difference between teaching and coaching because he says they're both teaching. He is always full of encouragement because as he says: "A pat on the back is always better than a kick in the..."

The former athlete has always considered himself a winner and former students will agree with reservations. They feel they are the real winners because they have been lucky enough to be touched by Bunk-a Master Teacher in every sense of the word.

Robert Burnett

Dean of Admissions/Registrar

Colby Community College

Around Colby, Robert Burnett is known as " Mr. Colby Community College." Presently Dean of Admissions/ Registrar, Mr. Burnett has been associated with Colby Community College since its inception in 1964. Prior to assuming his present post in 1967. he has served in a variety of positions including Athletic Director, Director of Financial Aids, Director of Housing and Dean of Curriculum.

Mr. Burnett is a native of Greeley County. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Hays State College in 1932 and his Master of Science degree from the same institution the following year. His Counselor's Certificate was awarded from Fort Hays in 1965. In addition, he has attended the University of Colorado, Colorado State College of Education and the University of Kansas.

The 65-year-old educator taught in rural Greeley County in the beginning of his career. He also taught at Towner. Colo.; Horace and Arnold, Ks., before becoming principal.at Utica Rural High School in 1934.

Burnett served as principal at Scott High School in Scott City from 1939 until 1962 when he joined the administration at Colby Community High School-a post he held two years. In 1964 he joined the administration at the new Colby Community College. From his earliest days, Robert Burnett wanted to be a teacher. And as a teacher and an administrator, his first love has always been the students.

He is a member of the National Education Association and the Kansas-NEA as well as the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals and the Kansas Guidance and Personnel Association.

Mr. Burnett has been an active member of Lions International for 33 years and has served as a Deputy District Governor for Lions International . He is a member of the Thomas County Historical Society and the Methodist Church for which he teaches a Sunday School class.

He has been named an Outstanding Educator of America and was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He was selected for membership in Phi Gamma Mu. Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Delta Kappa.

Mr. Burnett began the Summer Red Cross Youth Swim Program at Scott City and organized one of the first High School Development Reading Programs in Kansas. He also organized the Scott City Invitational Basketball Tournament and was instrumental in promoting an Endowment Association at CCC which became the first two-year college endowment association in Kansas.

What is the philosophy behind his 48-year teaching career? "Education should not be a painful but an enjoyable experience," he says.

Gerald Goacher

Instructor and Fine Arts Chair

Vocal and Instrumental Music, Humanities, Theory and Music History

Washburn Rural High School

USD 437 Washburn Rural

Gerald Goacher is a reasonably young man to be receiving the Kansas Master Teacher Award.

At 35, Mr. Goacher has endeared himself to students, fellow-teachers and people across Topeka with his warm friendly manner and his never-ending interest in music.

As Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Mr. Goacher teaches vocal and instrumental music, humanities, theory and music history. He also directs small ensembles, choirs and a large chorale as well as the Washburn Rural drill team, pom pom girls and band.

A native of Kansas City, Mo. , Mr. Goacher attended Central High School. He graduated from Baker University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. His Master of Science degree was earned from Kansas State Teachers College in 1966 and he has also attended the University of Kansas and Northwestern University.

Mr. Goacher has taught at Washburn Rural since 1959.

He is a member of the National Education Association, Kansas-NEA, y-Indian Guides, Topeka Civic Theatre, Goals for Topeka and the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., Inc.

Mr. Goacher is a member of the Capitol City Chorus and the Rip Chords, a small barbershop singing ensemble.

He is the founder of the Kansas State Barbershop Chorus Contest and is known throughout Kansas for his activities promoting barbershop singing.

Students love Mr. Goacher for his enthusiasm and his " tremendous drive to excel" which is passed on to students. His band, chorale and chorus have undertaken difficult projects such as this year's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" which received acclaim around Topeka.

Fellow-teachers describe Goacher as a man not afraid to work long hours and students know the time he spends working with them.

One student describes the musician as " the best, number one, all-around teacher."

F. Floyd Herr

Assistant Commissioner, Division of Accreditation, Teacher Certification and Adult Education

Kansas State Department of Education

F. Floyd Herr retired in 1971 after 45 years in the education profession. At the time of his retirement. he was Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Accreditation. Teacher Certification and Adult Education in the Kansas State Department of Education.

A native of Medicine Lodge, Mr. Herr graduated from Kansas State University in 1926 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. He received his Master of Arts degree in 1933 from Columbia University specializing in Administration. He has done graduate study at KState, Colorado University and Denver University.

Mr. Herr taught at Johnson and Argonia before becoming principal and superintendent at Argonia. He was also superintendent at Medicine Lodge before joining the staff of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1943.

Mr. Herr helped organize the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification and served as its president. He was president of the Central States Departments of Education and was the Kansas representative to the Midwest Conference of Rural Life and Education and the National Area and County School Administrators Association which he helped to form.

The administrator was secretary of the Kansas Advisory Council on Education for 22 years as well as secretary of the Professional Standards Board and Professional Practices Committee. He was a member of the Chief State School Officers Study Committee for 16 years and was a member of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Mr. Herr assisted in establishing the Driver Education department in the National Education Association and served on the first national program committee. He served 24 years on the National Commission of Teacher Education and Professional Standards and was a member of the Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers as well as the North Central Association Secondary Schools Commission.

Mr. Herr holds an honorary doctorate from Ottawa University and in 1967 he received a plaque from the Kansas Council on Education for improvement in teacher education in Kansas and the nation.

Mr. Herr has made more than 200 major addresses in Kansas and has contributed to numerous publications. He is the co-author of "The History of Junior Colleges in Kansas" and "The Kansas Certification Story" ' published by the NEA.

Mr. Herr led the move to put Kansas number one among the states in the nation in the quality of elementary school teachers when measured by the number of teachers holding a master's degree. Kansas had formerly been near the bottom in the percentage.

Carl A. James

Superintendent

USD 253 Emporia

Carl James is recognized state-wide and nationally as an expert school administrator.

As superintendent of schools for Unified School District No. 253 in Emporia. Mr. James has been responsible either directly or indirectly for a great deal of growth in the Emporia school system.

A native of Waverly, Dr. James attended the College of Emporia where he received an A.B. degree in 1929. He received his Master of Science degree in 1935 from the University of Southern California and his Ed.D. degree in 1950 from the University of Kansas.

Dr. James began his educational career as a coach and teacher at Quincy and Rosalia. He then became Superintendent of Schools in Rosalia before assuming posts as superintendent at Toronto. Osage City and Concordia. He was named superintendent at Emporia in 1956.

Dr. James is a member of the Rotary Club, Current Club, Elk 's Lodge, Masonic Bodies, Knife and Fork Club, Chamber of Commerce. and the Boy Scouts.

Professionally he is a member of the Kansas State Teachers Association. Kansas Society for Exceptional Children. Kansas Audiovisual Education Association, Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers, American Association of School Administrators, National Council of Educational Measurements, National Society for the Study of Education, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa. National Education Association and Kansas Educators Club.

He is chairman of the KSTC State Committee on Cooperative Action, vice president of the Area Vocational-Technical Schools. Midwest Regional Chairman for the Council of Education Facility Planners. Representative to the White House Conference on Education and a member of the Board of Trustees for the College of Emporia.

Dr. James is known around the Emporia School System and the state for his tremendous energy and enthusiasm.

He shows a deep concern for educational matters and takes an "enthusiastic and friendly interest in all his faculty."

Recognized in the field of school finance, Dr. James has directed the Emporia schools under an extensive building program. A new high school will be built in the next several years to replace the crowded Emporia High School.

Although Carl James has not limited his educational career to the classroom, he is a true Master Educator.

As one Emporia civic leader put it:

"Carl James has successfully promoted the educational climate in Emporia for many years."

Catherine Johannsen

Fourth Grade Teacher

Junior Elementary School

USD 202 Turner

Former and present students of Catherine Johannsen describe her as being a "strict teacher who really knows how to get along with kids."

Now a fourth-grade teacher at Junction Elementary School in Turner, Mrs. Johannsen has a distinguished teaching career behind her.

Her career began in a one-room school in Montana in 1927. She was born in Marion, Kan., but graduated from high school in Mitchell, Ind.

Mrs. Johannsen received her two-year diploma from Western Montana University in 1933 after she had already taught several years. She attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City and St. Mary College before receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Western Montana in 1967. She has also attended Kansas State College at Pittsburg.

Mrs. Johannsen has taught at Fairfield, Kevin, Ethridge and Conrad, Montana, as well as the Morris School in Kansas City. She has been at Junction Elementary School since 1955.

The Master Teacher is a member of the National Education Association, Kansas-NEA, Junior Western Highlands Study Club, Alpha Delta Kappa and the Order of Eastern Star. She is active in the Plymouth Congregational Church and is a member of the Business Women of the Congregational Church.

Mrs. Johannsen teaches Sunday School and is active in PTA as well as taking an active part in the March of Dimes Mothers Drive.

Mrs. Johannsen and her retired husband have two children.

All former students remember Mrs. Johannsen as being strict. But they all love her for it. As one former student put it:

"She has a natural ability to communicate with students. Her high ideals are passed on to her students. "

And another students said: "Besides her interest in our studies, Mrs. Johannsen has an interest in our personal well-being."

Co-workers call Mrs. Johannsen an "expert in her field.'' No matter who is doing the describing or what they are saying in describing Mrs. Johannsen, the word Master Teacher keeps cropping up.

As one fellow-teacher said it:

"Catherine Johannsen is the Master Teacher."

Dr. Margaret Parker

Professor of Chemistry

Kansas State College at Pittsburg

"Miss Parker was my model as a teacher and my inspiration to become a teacher."

So say many of Margaret Parker's former students who have themselves entered the teaching profession. And the accolades are not limited to those in teaching-there are doctors, dentists, professional chemists as well as many others who all thank Margaret Parker for what they learned.

The Professor of Chemistry at Kansas State College at Pittsburg has a distinguished teaching career behind her. Raised in Leona, Kan., she attended Leona High School before graduating from Highland Junior College. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State College in 1938 and her Master of Science degree in 1945. She has also attended the University of Southern California. University of Texas. Reed College in Portland. Ore., and the University of Kansas.

Miss Parker's teaching career began at Fairview Rural High School in Highland. She then taught at Bellevue School in Leona, Denton High School in Denton. Baxter Springs High School and Augusta High School. In between teaching jobs, Miss Parker spent seven years as a Home Service Supervisor for the Kansas Gas and Electric Co. at Ft. Scott and Pittsburg.

Miss Parker joined the faculty at Kansas State College in 1946 and was named Professor of Chemistry in 1971.

Miss Parker is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. the American Association of University Women. Kansas Association of Science Teachers and American Chemical Society. She has long been active in the Business and Professional Women·s Clubs and has served as president of the Pittsburg Club.

She is also a member of the Kansas Academy of Science. National Education Association, KNEA, Kappa Delta Pi and Kappa Mu Epsilon. Miss Parker is a member of the Methodist Church and teaches Sunday School for her church.

She has served as a board member for the KSC Faculty Association as well as sponsor for the Golden Crest. a girl's honorary.

In 1971 , Miss Parker received the Kansas Junior Academy of Science Award and was named Outstanding Educator of America.

Miss Parker was the first chairman of the Kansas-NEA Commission on Higher Education and was State Director of the Kansas Junior Academy of Science for 10 years.

Miss Parker is especially known for making chemistry and quantitative analysis interesting. As one former student put it:

"She knows her subject. presents it thoroughly to the class and is personally attentive to each student's progress-she makes you work but for some reason she makes you want to."

Leona Velen

Third Grade Teacher

Woodrow Wilson Elementary School

USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden

Leona Velen explains: "Love for a child makes you want the best for him."

And for many years, she has been seeking the best for third-grade children who have been lucky enough to have her for a teacher.

A third-grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Manhattan. Miss Velen has seen two generations of some families pass through her classroom. Parents are always excited when their children get Miss Velen as a teacher. They know the child will get the best possible education.

Leona Velen is a native of Cleburne. Ks. where she attended school. She earned her Teaching Certificate from Bethany College and her Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State Teachers College in 1949. Miss Velen attended the University of Kansas and received her Master of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1968. She has also attended Fort Hays State College.

Miss Velen began her career teaching at the Mariadahl Children's Home in Cleburne. She also taught at the Bellegard Rural School in Pottawatomie County and Alta Vista Grade School before joining the faculty at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School.

The Master Teacher is a member of the Manhattan Education Association - the organization which nominated her for this award. She is also a member of Kansas-NEA, Delta Kappa Gamma. :'\ational Education Association and the Riley County Chapter of the Soil Conservation Society of America.

In addition, she is active in the First Lutheran Church of Manhattan, the Riley County Historical Society, Memorial Hospital Committee and Blue Valley Study Association. For her school, Miss Velen is a member of the Elementary Curriculum Committee and the International Reading Association.

Miss Velen has been described as "having never-ending patience." Students say she makes learning fun because "she is sensitive to the abilities and needs of her students."

Former students remember Miss Velen because of her enthusiasm and the ability she has for "making lessons come alive."

Fellow teachers know and respect Miss Velen because they say she "always has a positive attitude - the ability to look on the bright side."

Many hundreds of children have passed under Leona Velen's care since her early days at the Mariadahl Children's Home and they all remember her as "the best teacher I ever remember all though school."